Autoimmune, Digestive Problems, Weight

In the fall of 1995, I was diagnosed with a chronic illness called ulcerative colitis.  It is a debilitating disease of the colon with symptoms that include painful cramping, nausea, bloody diarrhea, inability to control bowels, and the list goes on.  I was told it was incurable unless I had my colon removed.  I was 36 years old.

Over the next 13 years I took 12 pills a day and went to the hospital every six to eight weeks to receive medication that required a three hour infusion.  I took prednisone off and on for years.  When the effects of the disease were extreme I would spend a week in the hospital.  The only way to get my system back under control was to stop eating and go on high doses of prednisone.

I am lucky to work at a company that offers employees sabbaticals every five years.  In January 2013 I took a 10 week sabbatical and used the time to address my health.  I was bound and determined to find a way to either cure my disease or at least eliminate its symptoms.  This is when Jonny Suarez entered my life.

I met with Jonny and explained that I had two goals.  First, I wanted to rid my body of the colitis or at least its symptoms.  Second, I wanted to get in the best shape of my life.  Although I was an athlete in high school and college and worked out somewhat regularly, I wanted to see what I could do with my body at age 53 if I made it my main focus for 10 weeks.  Jonny was game and was confident that we could meet both my goals provided I was truly dedicated.

Jonny had the perfect mix of knowledge to address all my issues.  He understood my disease from the standpoint of traditional western medicine.  He understood the value of nutrition and the effects of various foods on the body.  He understood many holistic health principles.  He understood anatomy and much, much more.  He also didn't discount my doctor's treatment of my disease and was willing to work within any bounds prescribed by my doctor.  Perhaps best of all, he is a genuinely nice person, wise beyond his years, and an absolute joy to work with.

We started with extensive blood and other medical tests which Jonny reviewed.  From there we added a regimen of supplements to get my internal systems balanced.  Most importantly, we drastically changed my diet.  Jonny put me on an elimination diet that removed all foods that may cause allergic reactions.  Jonny asked that I stick to the diet for 30 days.  If I wanted to add other foods back in after the 30 days, I could to do so, by eating one food at a time for three days to make sure I had no adverse reaction.In addition to changing my diet, I started working out with Jonny three times a week and on my own the other days.  Jonny designed the work outs with a focus on my core as well as the other areas of my body on which I wanted to focus.

Since I wasn't working and my health was my sole focus for these 10 weeks, I dove into the diet and the exercise with a vengeance and never looked back.  Jonny was a constant source for recipe ideas and was an invaluable advisor on the diet and nutrition.  He answered all my questions and monitored my health throughout the process.  I also learned that he is a magnificent massage therapist and was able to work out any muscle kinks.  I have sent both my athletic teenage sons to him for muscle issues and Jonny has always worked wonders on them.

It has been about a year and a half since I first met Jonny.  All my colitis symptoms are gone and my last infusion was the one I had three weeks before my first meeting with Jonny.  I am taking the minimum dosage of my medication and hope to eliminate it completely after conferring again with my doctor.  I won't know if the disease is "officially" cured (or in remission) for a while, but eliminating all symptoms is just fine by me.  In addition, after the ten weeks were up, I had muscle definition in my abs, my arms, and my legs and was in the best shape of my life and 25 pounds lighter.  Losing weight was not one of my main goals, but I was thrilled.  I'm fairly small and wasn't particularly heavy before I started (I was a size 8).  I am now at my high school weight, a size 4, and eating as much as I want and easily keeping the weight off. Am I happy with the way I eat?  I never thought I would be, but I wouldn't change it for the world.  I feel better than ever.  

Whether you want to get in better shape, address an illness, or have chronic pain in one or more parts of your body, I whole heartedly recommend you meet Jonny.  I also recommend you take your work with him seriously.  If you are not fully committed, you might as well go to the gym down the street or stick with your current medical regime.  However, if you are serious about making changes in your life and you are truly ready to make yourself a priority, do yourself a favor and meet with Jonny.

Jonny literally changed my life and I am grateful every day that I met him.

M.R.  

Weight, Poor Posture, Stress

I highly and without hesitation recommend Jonny Suarez for training and nutrition coaching. When I began I was in terrible physical shape.  In the three years prior to our first coaching session, I had gained a lot of weight due in no small part to a stressful job that required frequent travel. My posture was poor; I had little flexibility; my body ached.  After a thorough head-to-toe evaluation and a comprehensive session in which we discussed my health goals, we began weekly sessions.  

Instead of stressing my body even more by working it hard from session one (as many less experienced trainers who use a “boot camp” type of approach might do), they designed my first  4-6 week set of exercises and stretches to ease me back into exercise, and also discussed food and lifestyle choices. Perhaps most importantly, as a result of our discussions, I came to understand the truly devastating toll that living a life of high stress had taken on my mind and body.

I understand now how hormonal balance is the key to feeling well and sleeping well, and the role stress plays in creating imbalances.  I have lost 55 lbs, and my body fat has decreased from 46% to 23%.  Today I have normal spine alignment, greatly improved posture, and I sleep well.  I make wiser, more informed food choices, and, yes, I no longer have that stressful job.

J.M.

Rehab to High Performance

I first met Jonny when I was looking for a trainer to take me to the next physical fitness level. I was seeking someone knowledgeable in kettle bells and core strengthening.  I needed someone able to propel me to the level of fitness necessary for me to obtain my goal of making the Secret Service’s elite Counter Assault Team (CAT). I have always maintained a great physical fitness standard;  however, in the past two years I have been plagued with several physical setbacks, to include two bulging disks in my lower back, planter fasciitis, and patella tendonitis.  

Getting older (age 39) I started to lose confidence in my physical abilities and started to doubt trying out for CAT because I felt my body would not hold up during the six weeks of training.  I had always ran and lifted weights, but I knew this was not going to get me in the shape necessary to complete CAT school. The physical standards for CAT school were very demanding, and my main concern was being able to do the required three pulls ups while wearing a forty pound vest.

Before I started a program with Jonny, a complete analysis of my current physical status was conducted, including injuries, nutrition, stress, flexibility, and sleep.  My concerns, goals, and requirements for the CAT program were listened to and created into a program designed just for me.

In regards to my back, exercises were selected that worked on strengthening my lower back and core muscles to reduce the likelihood of injury during my grueling training. Within weeks my pull ups increased drastically, my core became stronger, and as an added benefit my back pain was almost completely eliminated.  Most of all, my confidence was beginning to grow.  

After about eight weeks, I was at the physical fitness level necessary to try out for CAT.  Needless to say, I made the try out and was accepted to CAT basic training.  I have to mention that during my training at CAT, I contacted Jonny on several occasions for advice and my calls were always returned.   He was deeply interested and involved in my training regimen.  I believe this passion and dedication is a testament to his outstanding knowledge and skill. With my graduation from CAT school, I have no hesitation in recommending Jonny to anyone who is interested in taking their physical fitness and health to the next level.

Thanks, we did it!

K.W.