Health News Digest

(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Few people think about training for, much less winning, a serious athletic competition. But virtually everyone wishes he or she could see inside the world of such greatness and glean ideas for their own benefit in everyday living. What are the secrets to success other than strength and dedication that work in a world where nothing seems to be going right?

Six-time Ironman World Champion Mark Allen points to renowned shaman and healer Brant Secunda. It was only after studying with Brant and learning his deep wisdom about the mind-body connection that he became unstoppable and was proclaimed “The World’s Fittest Man” by Outside magazine. Now, Brant and Mark share their secrets together in a new book: FIT SOUL, FIT BODY: 9 Keys to a Healthier, Happier You (BenBella Books: January 2009; $24.95 hardcover) with a Foreword by Stephen R. Covey.

Brant and Mark shatter common theories about “fitness,” proving that it’s much more than having strong muscles – it’s about learning to think of fitness as pertaining to both body and soul, which entails as much emotional and spiritual wellbeing as physical. These are universal tenets for everyone – whether you want to jump-start your exercise routine, be a leader at work, boost your moods, or simply improve the overall quality of your life. And while traditional self-help or health books present solutions to pieces of the puzzle, FIT SOUL, FIT BODY offers an easy roadmap for getting both the mind and body in shape simultaneously. It can enhance everything about your life, professionally and personally.

The FIT SOUL, FIT BODY plan offers strategies and advice on how to: Test your wellness without considering your vital signs or weight Successfully manage the 6 worst kinds of stress Overcome the top 3 emotional barriers Beat boredom and find motivation in repetition “Slow down to get faster” (in everything you do) Choose the right eating and exercise plan for you Employ the power of nature to find balance Quiet your mind in just minutes without spending hours learning meditation or attending a yoga class Set realistic goals and secure a fit vision for life

Chock full of step-by-step exercises and practical techniques anyone can use, the book also reveals engrossing and humorous tales of Mark’s quest to be the top triathlete in the world and of Brant’s journey from New Jersey to Mexico, where he completed a 12-year apprenticeship with legendary Huichol Shaman Don José Matsuwa.

The world has never been hungrier for fresh ideas on managing stress and upping physical, mental, and emotional fitness as we watch the economic climate worsen, our woes deepen, and our waistlines thicken. Brant Secunda and Mark Allen offer a doable solution.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Brant Secunda is a world-renowned shaman, healer, and teacher in the Huichol Indian tradition of Mexico. He is the director of the Dance of the Deer Foundation Center for Shamanic Studies in Santa Cruz, California; a founding member of the American Herbalist Guild; and the cofounder, alongside former President Jimmy Carter and Desmond Tutu, of the Peace University of Berlin. He lives in Soquel, California. Mark Allen is a six-time Ironman Triathlon World Champion and was named Greatest Triathlete of All Time by Triathlete Magazine. He lives in Santa Cruz, California.

Title: FIT SOUL, FIT BODY: 9 Keys to a Healthier, Happier You Authors: Brant Secunda and Mark Allen Publisher: BenBella Books Publication date: January 2009 ISBN: 1933771569 Price: $24.95 hardcover

Interview with the Authors

A Conversation with Brant Secunda and Mark Allen, Authors of FIT SOUL, FIT BODY

Q: How is the FIT SOUL, FIT BODY program different from all the other fitness and self-help books on the market?

Brant & Mark: Our backgrounds are totally unique, and from that we integrate two worlds that are rarely united. We see books that focus mainly on physical fitness but only touch lightly on the inner person, while others delve deep into personal growth, yet have very little if anything about how to have good physical health.

Our philosophy trains your mind alongside your body, which can bring a profound metamorphosis. The Fit Soul, Fit Body tools and practices transform both body and soul by using small focused changes that are sustainable, enjoyable and impactful. Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of the Fit Soul, Fit Body program is the way in which a connection to nature is promoted as a universal way to reduce stress, stave off boredom, find gratitude, and gain the energy we need to move through life with grace and power.

We provide practical and simple tools that can be implemented by everyone and will give the reader an incredible transformative experience. As Stephen R. Covey says in the Foreword to our book, if you do just one thing differently this week based on a single idea given, you will notice a change for the better and want to keep going.

Q: Mark, you say that Brant’s teaching was what helped you become a champion. What were the most important changes that Brant helped you make?

Mark: All of the top athletes trained their bodies the same, but the teachings of Brant were what lifted me up and distinguished me from the others. Before meeting Brant, I had a fit body, but not a fit soul and could never put together the winning elements to be the world-class athlete and champion I had hoped to become. Brant helped me do this.

In specific terms he gave me invaluable tools to deal with stress, handle pressure, and to be able to feel comfortable in just about any situation including the unpredictable and chaotic environment of a race. But perhaps one of the most important parts of having a Fit Soul that Brant gave me was a way to feel happy and fulfilled BEFORE the starting gun went off. This is the strongest starting point for any endeavor, especially those in life requiring a personal “world champion” effort.

Q: Brant, what have you learned from Mark in developing this program together?

Brant: What I learned was to become fit in the context of the modern world, which for most people including myself was very different than having it be a byproduct of life as it is in an indigenous culture where gathering firewood, growing corn and clearing fields are ongoing parts of living. I now enjoy using a fitness center, and have learned to love running as a way to bring the different worlds together through exercising at spectacular places in nature. Also Mark’s strategies and insights into nutrition were invaluable tools in developing our program together. And I lost 50 pounds!

Q: What do you think are the best ways to conquer stress?

Brant & Mark: One thought that can shift all stress on the spot is this, “In the quiet of the heart, no stress can reside…only joy, power and hope.” This is one of our 9 keys: learning to quiet the mind. Next, take the weight off of your soul by conquering stress with one deceptively simple tool: respond with calmness. It’s easy to forget that this is the way we can respond to tough situations, especially ones that are emotionally stressful. But ultimately it is when we reach a place of calm that stress is eliminated. Then make sure to honor your body by eating well and exercising. Once again, this is simple advice, but it will go a long way to fortifying your body so that stress becomes manageable. These themes are especially developed throughout our book.

Q: In today’s world, we’re bombarded with information. What techniques do you suggest for quieting one’s mind?

Brant & Mark: We have many, but here are two very powerful ways to quiet the mind. The first is to take a few minutes or an hour to disconnect with the information overload that can occupy your mind and go out in nature with the focus of just quieting the thinking process. This can be as simple as watching a sunset or taking a few moments to sit under a tree in a park. Enjoy the natural process that is ongoing regardless of our busy lives and breath that peace into your soul.
The second tool we suggest is to take a walk, go for a run or do any other form of exercise long enough to feel your mind quiet. Let the problems of life take a back seat to the happiness you can feel from moving your body.

Q: One of your keys is “slow down to get faster.” Seems like a contradiction – can you explain?

Brant & Mark: This is another example of how our book is different from many others. “Slowing down to get faster” addresses our core genetics that we all have in common. In the modern world most people feel they must push their bodies and souls to the limit to make any gains in fitness or to change their approach to life. But we are not set up that way. We all thrive when you apply small focused changes that are more gradual, not intense. Going fast in life has its place, but not as a staple for long-term gains, which is good news for anyone who has quit exercising because they didn’t feel a walk would do any good for changing their body or who haven’t given themselves the permission to slow down and enjoy a few moments of a glorious sunrise or sunset to make their soul feel better.

Q: How would you describe someone who has a fit soul?

Brant & Mark: Someone who has a Fit Soul we call “whole” or “complete,” which means among other things that you feel content and are filled with laughter. You experience joy and pure happiness. A person with a Fit Soul sparkles in the presence of others as well as in the silence of their own solitude. This not to say that every moment in life will be easy or without challenge. But more often than not they have the ability to go through the good and the bad, the joy and the sadness, the happiness and pain that sometimes appears in our lives.

Q: What is shamanism? What benefits does it have for all of us?

Brant: Shamanism is a system of healing and living in harmony with nature, our environment and all of life. It’s also about feeling well by helping shifting your focus onto positive qualities, thoughts and emotions. You can see that without knowing it, many people are drawn to this concept when they choose a place to go on vacation to charge their bodies and souls back up…most are in spectacular places in nature (a mountain resort, an ocean or lake, or a spa nestled amidst spectacular rocks). Inherently, this approach heals the soul and body and strengthens our connection to both our inner and outer environment making us stronger mentally, emotionally and physically.

Q: What do you hope that people will take away from reading your book?

Brant & Mark: FIT SOUL, FIT BODY can bring fundamental positive change to your life. By reading the book you can gain insights on how to create a life of contentment and happiness. Our book is about transformation; whether that’s losing weight, changing old patterns, having a stronger connection to your community and your environment, or finding trust in life itself. Readers will get this and much more

Press Release

Fit Soul, Fit Body: 9 Keys to a Healthier, Happier You
By Brant Secunda and Mark Allen with a Foreword by Stephen Covey

“This book could very well be its own habit in my bestselling book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People…[Mark and Brant] are a living example of what it means to be fit from the inside out, from the depths of the inner spirit to the outer symbols of health and wellness.”
– Stephen Covey, bestselling author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

“Reading Fit Soul, Fit Body sent chills up my spine. This is it – the missing element in athletics and fitness – bringing the wisdom of the soul into our workouts and our lives. Fit Soul, Fit Body is a revelation.”
– Christiane Northrup, MD, author of Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom and Mother-Daughter Wisdom

Few people think about training for, much less winning, a serious athletic competition. But virtually everyone wishes they could see inside the world of such greatness and glean ideas for their own benefit in everyday living. What are the secrets to success other than strength and dedication that work in a world where nothing seems to be going right?

Six-time Ironman World Champion Mark Allen points to renowned shaman and healer Brant Secunda. It was only after studying with Brant and learning his deep wisdom about the mind-body connection that he became unstoppable and was proclaimed “The World’s Fittest Man” by Outside magazine. Now, Brant and Mark share their secrets together in a new book: FIT SOUL, FIT BODY: 9 Keys to a Healthier, Happier You (BenBella Books: January 2009; $24.95 hardcover) with a Foreword by Stephen R. Covey.

Brant and Mark shatter common theories about “fitness,” proving that it’s much more than having strong muscles – it’s about learning to think of fitness as pertaining to both body and soul, which entails as much emotional and spiritual wellbeing as physical. These are universal tenets for everyone – whether you want to jump-start your exercise routine, be a leader at work, boost your moods, or simply improve the overall quality of your life. And while traditional self-help or health books present solutions to pieces of the puzzle, FIT SOUL, FIT BODY offers an easy roadmap for getting both the mind and body in shape simultaneously. It can enhance everything about your life, professionally and personally.

The FIT SOUL, FIT BODY plan offers strategies and advice on how to:
Test your wellness without considering your vital signs or weight
Successfully manage the 6 worst kinds of stress
Overcome the top 3 emotional barriers
Beat boredom and find motivation in repetition
“Slow down to get faster” (in everything you do)
Choose the right eating and exercise plan for you
Employ the power of nature to find balance
Quiet your mind in just minutes without spending hours learning meditation or attending a yoga class
Set realistic goals and secure a fit vision for life
Chock full of step-by-step exercises and practical techniques anyone can use, the book also reveals engrossing and humorous tales: of Mark’s quest to be the top triathlete in the world, and Brant’s journey from New Jersey to Mexico, where he completed a 12-year apprenticeship with legendary Huichol Shaman Don José Matsuwa.

The world has never been hungrier for fresh ideas on managing stress and upping physical, mental, and emotional fitness as we watch the economic climate worsen, our woes deepen, and our waistlines thicken. Brant Secunda and Mark Allen offer a doable solution.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Brant Secunda is a world-renowned shaman, healer, and teacher in the Huichol Indian tradition of Mexico. He is the director of the Dance of the Deer Foundation Center for Shamanic Studies in Santa Cruz, California; a founding member of the American Herbalist Guild; and the cofounder, alongside former President Jimmy Carter and Desmond Tutu, of the Peace University of Berlin. He lives in Soquel, California. Mark Allen is a six-time Ironman Triathlon World Champion and was named Greatest Triathlete of All Time by Triathlete Magazine. He lives in Santa Cruz, California.

Title: FIT SOUL, FIT BODY: 9 Keys to a Healthier, Happier You
Authors: Brant Secunda and Mark Allen
Publisher: BenBella Books
Publication date: January 2009
ISBN: 1933771569
Price: $24.95 hardcover