Inspiration

By Blake Cantrell

In the spring of 2000 I was a 22 year old Division One volleyball player at UC-Santa Barbara and in the best shape of my life. I was working out and practicing between 20-30 hours a week and enjoying the college life to the fullest. I thought I was completely invincible.

Then, after college I maintained my giant burritos and cheap beer diet and exchanged the workouts for the sedentary life of a desk jockey and weekend athlete. It wasn’t long before I realized 5 years had passed and I was pushing 200 lbs, flabby and nowhere near the athlete I once was. I knew I needed help so I turned to Real Living Nutrition.

I was scared that I’d miss my favorite foods and be left to pecking at twigs and berries for sustenance but I could not have been more mistaken. After meeting with Meri I felt reassured that this lifestyle change was possible, mostly because my first step was to eat more food!

Each week brought its own small challenge until a few weeks later when, to my amazement I was eating these things called “vegetables and fruit” and really enjoying them. I still eat my burritos and enjoy a beer every so often, but with my new varied diet and portion control I

have managed to lose 25 lbs. and look and feel healthier than I ever have.

This coming summer I’m hoping to build upon this new foundation Meri has helped me to build and realize a lifelong dream of playing on the professional beach volleyball tour!

We are happy to report that Blake did follow his dream. Not only did he play in the Santa Barbara open but he ended up in the final 8! Read Blake’s article here!

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