PAN4: Everyday Health and Fitness with David Lyons

“You cannot have a physically fit body, if you don’t have a physically fit mind,” author David Lyons advised when asked about going back to the gym after injury and illness. David discusses strategies and techniques for getting back into a fitness routine safely and shares resources to help in the decision-making process. If you are struggling with fitness because of your current condition, listen to David’s interview for motivation, inspiration and education.

David Lyons was a healthy bodybuilder and gym owner when he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2006 at the age of 47. The doctors told him he would rapidly decline and eventually require a wheelchair. Instead David battled the disease in the gym and challenged himself by competing in an NPC bodybuilding competition. David and his wife Kendra then founded the MS Fitness Challenge, which provides certified fitness professionals to people with MS nationwide for 12 weeks at no cost, as well as, a gym membership, in an effort to educate and train patients on the benefits of exercise and nutrition. He and Kendra have also launched their own gym, the Optimal Body Personal Fitness facility in Murrieta, CA.

David Lyons’ book, Everyday Health and Fitness with Multiple Sclerosis: Achieve Your Peak Physical Wellness while Working with Limited Mobility, is designed to help patients maintain a healthy lifestyle and includes anecdotes from real people with MS, their limitations and how they followed this plan to reach their fitness goals. The customizable, high-intensity, calorie-burning workout builds lean muscle mass. Find advice and solutions for overcoming mental hurdles, nutrition fundamentals to properly fuel workouts, easily adaptable exercises, and motivation. Everyday Heath and Fitness is a road map for every person who wants to conquer a disease or disability, and just get moving.

Episode Outline:

David Lyons Introduction
MS Fitness Challenge introduction
MS Fitness Challenge upcoming events
How the MS Fitness Challenge helps get people active
Overcoming fear of returning to the gym after injury and illness
The benefits of working with a qualified trainer when returning to the gym
Working with the Medical Fitness Network to find qualified trainers for people living with chronic illness
How to interview a trainer to know whether or not they would be a good fit to work with you
About the new book, Everyday Health and Fitness with Multiple Sclerosis: Achieve Your Peak Physical Wellness While Working with Limited Mobility
How you can get involved with the MS Fitness Challenge non-profit organization
About the Medical Fitness Network tools and resources
Closing thoughts

Episode Outline:

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