Ryan Parry is no ordinary business executive.  At age 29, he realized that business success could only be achieved if he had the health and energy first.  Here's his story and what he figured out early on... the things that sometimes takes others a lifetime to even notice.

Turn up your speakers and click the PLAY Button to hear Ryan talk about his experience at Genesis Personal Fitness

"Growing up I had been active, playing sports from grade school through high school, but then in college I lived the typical party lifestyle, and throughout my late twenties I was only active now and then.  Dedicating all my time and energy to my career, I paid little attention to my physical fitness, eating habits, or general health.  Needless to say, I was feeling the neglect. 

But what actually triggered my desire to "overhaul" my lifestyle was finding out that my cholesterol levels were dangerously high.  Given my inactivity, eating habits, and a history of high cholesterol on both sides of my family, I shouldn't have been surprised. 

But I was shocked.  My cholesterol level was 386; I was only 29 years old.  It was the sound of that alarm that gave me the incentive to make a change - immediately.  I've been close to many family members who've suffered with all the associated risks of high cholesterol, many of whom take more than ten pills a day to control the resulting health risks.  I felt strongly that I didn't want to be restricted by serious health issues, nor did I want to become drug-dependent - now or later. 

While my doctor was skeptical that I would be able to get my cholesterol under control without medication, I was determined to try.  I was not only looking to achieve immediate results, but also develop a routine geared toward long-lasting success.  And I understood that I would have to make a radical change in order to do that. 

But as a business executive, I had to find a way to essentially "revamp" my entire lifestyle that would fit into my very busy schedule.  In the past I had joined a gym and tried various diets, but I could never achieve, much less, maintain, the results I wanted.  I didn't know how to take the comprehensive approach - addressing both fitness and nutritional factors - that I needed to take in order to be successful.  I realized that I needed serious help.  I figured the best way to achieve my goal would be to get that help from experts and make the commitment to follow their lead. 

I had heard about Genesis Personal Fitness through a work-related network.  I knew people who had incredible experiences here and said it was a professional place to go.  I felt that there was great value in the structure Genesis offered.  I liked the fact that I would have regular appointments with a professional trainer, so I wouldn't find a way of getting out of it.  And I knew that they offered an array of programs that would be customized to create the best strategy for me.  Not only did I get the extraordinary results I was hoping for through Genesis, but I got remarkable benefits I hadn't expected.

While the Genesis philosophy to "exercise smarter, not harder," appealed to me, I can't say I really understood it.  But I hadn't begun to realize the sophistication with which Genesis operates. 

I underwent extensive assessments to precisely evaluate my current fitness level.  This in-depth process included a specialized Metabolic Testing System, in which a Genesis performance physiologist measures your unique response to exercise (it turns out that no two people have exactly the same response to exercise). 

By determining my individual metabolic profile through an elaborate exercise assessment, they were able to provide me with a full report that precisely identified my aerobic fitness level and the optimal exercise intensity that I should exercise at in order to achieve the most efficient cardiovascular fitness and weight loss (it turns out that this lack of understanding is one of the main reasons why many of us have had the frustrating experience of working so hard on our diet and exercise, only to become discouraged by our "failed" attempt to meet our goals). 

Using the metabolic fitness technology, the Genesis professionals created a customized program which provided me with a precise "road map" to success.  And I learned all the scientific "ins and outs" of my personal metabolic rate, including how much and what types of foods I should be eating to have enough energy to exercise well, lose weight, and maintain my ideal weight once I reached it.  In essence, I learned how to train my metabolism to best achieve my goals. 

In addition, Genesis exercise instructors and nutrition coaches integrated a wealth of knowledge about my specific health issues and body type with personalized instruction in my nutritional and fitness needs, along with the support I needed to succeed.  They developed a strategic approach that's been so effective - bringing me continuous results which motivated me to stick with it over time.  And my successes, coupled with everything they've taught me, have fueled my drive to achieve, and even surpass, my goals. 

The assessment was only part of a larger strategy.  I also enrolled in The Genesis Execu-Fit Program, a science-based exercise and nutrition program specifically designed for executives and small business owners.  The program is focused on exercising and eating strategically so that you can effectively manage and improve energy levels, and develop the habits that best support you in meeting the demands of your daily life. 

(Editor's Note: The Genesis Execu-Fit Program is available at the Genesis 4,000 square foot personal training center, or as an off-site coached program, in which you perform your exercise sessions using your own exercise equipment at home or at another facility.)

It's all about improving your ability to recoup energy more efficiently and effectively.  This might sound rather technical, but I learned first hand the value of balancing energy investment with energy recovery - because, if you don't renew your energy reserves, which, of course, steadily get depleted over time, you're essentially running on empty. 

Using a multi-disciplinary approach, I worked with a team of exercise performance instructors and nutritionists to identify specific performance patterns and develop a strategic action plan.  Needless to say, I had increased energy and strength, more than I've ever had before - both physically and mentally.  I found myself more focused and fully engaged in my work, making me far more effective.  I used to be exhausted by midafternoon, but now my drive is consistent throughout the day.  I can now keep up the pace and perform at the peak level I need to - all the time. 

Naturally these improvements have translated into a real boost to my work performance, and I think I've become a better leader as a result.  The program, designed to teach the value of effectively managing your energy as a "business athlete," demonstrates how vital it is to skillfully manage your energy supply to get high performance.  I've actually been able to increase my capacity to withstand a crushing workload as well as the constant pressure to perform at the top of my game. 

My productivity has increased so drastically, that it seems like I'm getting twice as much done in a day than I used to.  Not only don't I worry about finding the time to exercise or eat healthy, but with more time, I get to do more - in both my professional and personal lives. 

Of course, none of these issues were even the reason I came to Genesis.  But sure enough, I was also able to get my sky-rocket high cholesterol levels completely under control.  After only one year, I had reduced my cholesterol from 386 to 207 - without drugs - just targeted exercise and healthy eating.  My doctor was shocked at what I was able to achieve.  Admittedly, so was I.  Given the drastic improvements that I made, and the fact that I've continued to enjoy a healthy lifestyle for two years now, I'm so confident that my prime health concern and reason for joining Genesis is well under control, that I haven't even had my cholesterol checked for almost a year now. 

After twelve years of a sedentary lifestyle, I'm back to enjoying an active one - a tailored exercise program that I always look forward to, along with recreational skiing.  And, my success has built on itself, so that I've been able to develop new areas to focus on, after mastering the ones I first came here to address. 

Of course, none of the changes I experienced happened overnight, but I saw constant, steady progress.  It may have taken a couple of months to fully change my eating habits, but in time, I found that the unhealthy food I used to love, doesn't taste as good as it used to, and, in fact, I really don't care for it at all anymore.  For example, while I still love cheese, I guess my taste buds have changed, because now I prefer the harder cheeses to the softer cheeses - that just taste too fatty.  And when I go food shopping, I walk right by the aisles of junk food that used to taunt me, because, frankly, they look unappetizing now. 

When I look back on my road to good health, I think it's all about being honest with yourself - how you feel about where you're currently at versus where you want to be.  If these don't jive, you can do something about it.  I was serious about wanting to live healthy and get the most out of life -Genesis not only showed me the way, but made sure I got there.  The experts at Genesis guide you so that you can make whatever changes you're after. 

Of course the "when and how" you make a move is a personal decision.  For me, it came when I saw myself hitting "rock bottom" at the unripe age of 29.  I wasn't ready to take a medicine chest full of pharmaceuticals every day.  I certainly wasn't ready for any of the health risks that I was facing.  And I was all too familiar with the expense - in time, energy, and money - that can ensue from such health issues. 

The bottom line is that the track I was on wasn't working.  Genesis works.  And you definitely get what you pay for - in time, energy, money, health, and quality of life - and you get it for the long run.