Umahro is a functional nutrition guru. He consults organizations in corporate wellness and advises world-class athletes on how to optimize their nutrition. Known as the “Danish Food Doctor”, he believes that food is medicine and lectures all over Europe about his food philosophy. Umahro has been a part of the Puori family since the very beginning, so we are delighted to announce our new partnership with Umahro and thought it would be fitting to do a proper Q&A with him.
What are the biggest achievements in your career?
Writing 14 books (so far) as the main author or co-author, creating and recording the TV-show “Kan man spise sig rask?” [Can Food Be Your Medicine?], being part of important research projects on food, nutrition and health, launching my educational program for health professionals, making the transition from one man with a mission to establishing a company that helps people stay healthy or become healthy again.
What is your next big goal?
Going international, getting my books out in English and getting 10,000 users on Umahro Universe.
How do you manage to stay healthy – and what does healthy mean to you?
Health is more than the absence of disease, pathology or clinical diagnosis. Health is a state of biological, physical, physiological and mental balance and flexibility. A state of having the necessary energy and resources to live life to the fullest and having a high chance of being able to grow old with grace.
Being healthy is not about unnecessary fanaticism or restriction, or about not being able to live and enjoy life. Being healthy is making sure you do the things necessary to achieve that state of being.
Food and diet, exercise and movement, sleep, stress, alcohol use and happiness all have to impact on health or the lack thereof. I stay healthy by eating the type of diet that works for me, being physically active every single day, minding my sleep, unwinding and de-stressing on a daily basis, spending time doing things that are important to me and inspire me, using supplements based on my individual needs, and making sure I am happy and laugh every single day, even when life looks bleak.
How do you keep yourself fit?
I work out every single day - some days just a quick 10-15 min METCON or HIIT session, other days harder and longer workouts when I have the time and energy - and I walk and bike as much as possible for transportation to meetings, my office, my clinic when I go out to do lectures etc. On a typical day, I will bike at least 10 km or walk for 30-45 min in addition to my daily workout. I try to do my workouts in the morning, before starting my day. The exception is on days where I’m not working, I might sleep late, have brunch and workout in the afternoon.
What do you feel are the biggest challenges in achieving a healthy lifestyle?
Getting enough quality sleep being the busy person I am with lots of travelling and a daily schedule that changes from day to day depending on whether I am in the clinic with patients, lecturing, teaching my students, researching, mentoring, recording my TV-show, doing media work, travelling, recording content for Umahro Universe, writing my next book, or spending quality time with my girlfriend, family or friends.
What role do supplements play in your daily life?
I take supplements, and quite a few different supplements, some in very high doses. For me, supplements along with healthy living allow me to stay healthy and keep multiple autoimmune and inflammatory disorders under control.
What does a clean product mean to you in your daily life?
A product that only contains what it says on the label; a product that does not contain anything unnecessary; a product that does not contain contaminants or compounds that might be toxic.
Why do you think clean products are important when it comes to food supplements?
Because customers deserve the right to receive what they think they are buying when purchasing and using supplements. Because people deserve not to get unwanted contaminants when buying and using supplements.
How did you first come across Puori?
I’ve known the founders Oliver and Julius back from when Puori was established.
What is your favourite Puori product and why?
D3 … because vitamin D is so darn important and too many people are too low.
What gives you energy?
Working out, solving medical mysteries, learning more about human health, lecturing to people and being allowed to inspire and help them, good food, and fabulous music.
When do you feel the best?
I feel my best when I'm in the midst of or have just finished a good hard workout, when I am on stage lecturing, when I scuba dive, when I enjoy heavenly food, when I delve deep into the wonders of human biology, and physiology.
If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Dedicated, ambitious, caring.
What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
I am quite a good percussionist and MC. In my teenage years, I pursued a career as a musician for a while. And I have a way with babies and toddlers, has been quite involved in taking care of my younger sisters when they were babies and toddlers.
]]>It’s not just Lauren’s athletic skills that inspire millions, though. Thanks to her positive, can-do attitude and healthy approach to life in general, she’s become a role model for women of all ages and walks of life.
]]>Puori: How did you find your way into CrossFit®?
Lauren Fisher: I started CrossFit® in 2008. I had just graduated 8th grade and I was about to enter into my first year of high school. My two older brothers, Ryan and Garret, were doing it and they told me about their trainer, Vince Carter. I thought they were talking about the NBA basketball player, Vince Carter. I don’t know why I was so naive, but I later found it that it wasn’t him. :) They took me to the gym one day and did my first workout, and I was hooked. I loved that feeling after you pushed yourself so hard in a workout and gave everything you got. I went on to do CrossFit® during my offseason for basketball as my supplemental training. I then moved to San Diego for college and my CrossFit® career took off.
P: What does a typical training week look like for you?
LF: I train five days a week with two sessions a day. My first session I do around 9:00 a.m., and it’s usually around an hour to 90 minutes and is more cardio-based. I do running, rowing, assault bike, any aerobic work combined with some sort of gymnastics or accessory work. My second session starts at 1:00 p.m. and that will usually take me anywhere from two hours to 2.5 hours. So on average, I train around four hours a day. That session will have some lifting, a metcon, and finish again with accessory. On my two off days, I consider one an active recovery day. On Thursday, I might either bike or swim, or I’ll just go on a hike. I prefer to swim in the pool, though, because I need to work on my swimming. Sundays are a full rest day and completely off from any sort of fitness.
P: Do you have a coach, and who organizes your programming?
LF: My coach is Tino Marini from CrossFit Invictus. He is CJ Martin’s right-hand man when it comes to programming for the competitive athletes at the gym. He knows all my strengths and weaknesses, so based on how I perform at the Games or any of the competitions during the season, we adjust my training to what I need to work on more.
I’m also like anyone else though and I get nerves, but as soon as 3-2-1 hits, I know I’m ready to go!
P: How do you manage to keep your mind calm and focused during competitions?
LF: I’ve been competing now since 2012 and even though I’m only 24, I have a lot of experience when it comes to competing. I usually like to listen to music before I go out on the floor and visualize exactly how I’m going to perform the workout. I like to stay in my own little bubble and not worry what anyone else is doing while they’re warming up. I’m also like anyone else though and I get nerves, but as soon as 3-2-1 hits, I know I’m ready to go!
P: What do you feel are your biggest weaknesses and strengths in CrossFit®?
LF: I don’t like to give away too much when it comes to my weaknesses, but I can tell you I strongly dislike rowing. (: For my strengths, I love deadlifts. One-rep max deadlifts, deadlifts in a workout, those are my jam. I’m also really strong at ring muscle-ups, thrusters, and double-unders.
P: What achievement are you most proud of in your life?
LF: I don’t think I can single out one achievement I’m most proud of in my life. I’m proud to say I graduated from San Diego State University two years ago with a degree in Business Marketing. I’m also proud that I’ve been to the CrossFit Games six years in a row, now going on seven. :) And my highest place as an individual was 9th in 2014 at only 20 years old. And lastly, I’m proud that at only 24 years old, I already have two businesses — Grown Strong and Arcadia Activ — which I’m trying to grow while also training full-time to be the best possible athlete in CrossFit®. I’m very blessed in my life and grateful every day for everyone who supports me on my journey.
I’m big on making sure I put the cleanest and healthiest food in my body, and that’s even more important with the supplements.
P: How did you first come across Puori?
LF: Funny fact: Puori was one of the first supplement brands that I truly fell in love with. I’m big on making sure I put the cleanest and healthiest food in my body, and that’s even more important with the supplements. Puori offers that and more and I’m lucky to be able to work with them.
P: Why did you decide to become a Puori ambassador?
LF: I only represent companies that I truly believe in and take their product every day, and it was an easy decision when it comes to representing Puori. They were voted for having one of the cleanest supplements in the market and on top of that, it tastes really good. I also love how they were founded in Denmark because my boyfriend is from Denmark, so it’s nice to visit the headquarters when we’re in Copenhagen.
P: What is your favorite Puori product and why?
LF: That’s a tough decision! :) The product I use the most is the Vanilla PW1 Pure Whey Protein powder. I simply love the taste. It reminds me of drinking a milkshake. But if I really had to choose a favorite product, I would choose the Synbiotics SB3 Probiotics and Prebiotics. It’s something not many companies offer and it’s the perfect blend of probiotics, prebiotics, and vitamin C. I eat it like a pixie stick. It tastes like candy to me. :)
P: How do you maintain balance in your life?
LF: I think the easiest way for me to have balance is to remember to have a life outside of training. I love hanging out with my family and enjoying downtime with my boyfriend. We enjoy going to the movies, and every weekend, we like to eat a lot more loosely with our macros, so we enjoy eating out and getting our sugar cravings out by cheating on some sort of dessert. As soon as Monday hits, we get back on track.
P: What role does supplementation play in your daily life?
LF: Supplementation plays a huge role in my life. I get my blood panels taken regularly so I know what I’m deficient in, and supplements are great way to help me hit all my numbers and give me that extra edge in my performance. Supplements like protein are the easiest and fastest way to help your muscles recover. And then at night, I always make sure to take my Puori fish oil, magnesium, and vitamin D. Even though I live in San Diego, I’m still deficient in vitamin D. Actually, a lot of people are and they don’t realize it, which is why it’s so important to add supplements into your daily routine.
P: What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
LF: One thing people don’t know about me is that I’m a big baker. I wanted to own my own pastry bakery when I was younger. I love making desserts, and pie is my specialty during Thanksgiving. I make them all homemade. :)
P: If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
LF: Sweet, hardworking, competitive.
P: What book would you recommend that everyone should read?
LF: I would recommend the book Relentless by Tim Grover. It’s an easy read and great for those who are trying to compete at the highest level. There are so many great lessons you can carry over into your own life, one being, “Be unstoppable at anything you set your mind to do,” and, “Why settle for anything less than excellence?”
The Puori team of ambassadors is growing! Initially from Hungary, model Eniko Mihalik now calls New York her home. Perhaps the first time she really made people stop and look was when she won the Hungarian Elite Model Look in 2002. She slowly climbed the fashion ladder, later walking on runways for designers like Givenchy, Versace and Diane von Furstenberg. Mihalik dominates print, too. Thus far in her career, she’s graced the covers of magazines like Elle, Bazaar, Vogue Japan, Marie Claire and Numéro.
Mihalik isn’t just looks, though. Maintaining a healthy life — mind, body and spirit — is a priority for her. Never one to settle for ordinary, she even took to training for marathons. She regularly makes time for a good sweat sesh and fuels her body with wholesome, nutritious food. We caught up with Eniko to learn more about her, how she stays healthy and what her guilty pleasures are.
Puori: How did you find your way into modeling?
Eniko Mihalik: As a teenager, I was very goofy. Looks and personality too. I was tall and skinny, but my teeth were all over the place, and I felt awkward. Modeling was the kind of dream I never thought could be a possibility for me.
Then one day, someone thought otherwise. I was discovered walking down the street in my hometown. At the time I must have been 14, about to turn 15. This woman said that I have the natural physique of a model and she insisted on taking me to a casting for a modeling competition, Elite Model Look. This was in 2002. After winning the Hungarian final and winning a spot in the first 15 finalists of the world competition… No. My career didn’t take off right away. But I got the opportunity to start exploring and learning everything about the world of fashion, which I came to love and has been my job ever since.
P: What does a typical week look like for you?
EM: I would say my days are not very different from other people’s, but there are definitely certain things that models need to get used to. For example, weekends and holidays just don’t exist. There is always someone, somewhere in the world, ready to work no matter the day or time of the year. Therefore, I live my life on standby. I can get a call at any moment, to pack and fly across the ocean. For that, I always need to be ready.
That means my everyday routine requires me to stay in focus to be healthy, to be energetic, and stay in the best shape possible. I usually wake up early and start my days with a nutrition-filled breakfast. Most of my days are very busy, filled with castings, meetings and when I finally get home after a long day, I squeeze a workout in at least four times a week. I travel overseas two times a month on average. I’m the kind of person who’s always on the go. Most of my days off are spent with my friends, at home baking or outdoors with my dog. I’m never bored.
P: How do you keep yourself fit?
EM: Over the years, I learned that being active and doing sports is the best gift you can give to yourself and your body. I’m not just talking about working out, but I’ve traded cars to walking and biking. Having a dog and spending time outdoors are all part of how I stay fit. I use all the benefits of the city I live in and what the cities I visit offer me. I love jogging outside every season of the year, and it’s a great way to discover new places I visit, too.
On top of that, I use my gym membership to the maximum. I usually do cardio on my own, which I switch up. From the elliptical and spin bike to the stair master and treadmill, I use everything. And I take classes. Yoga, pilates, boxing, dance… I always ask my body, “What do you feel like doing today?” I don’t get mad if that answer is, “I just want to sleep!” or “Can I just use the steam room today?” It’s all part of staying fit and getting ready for a new day, where I can perform to the best.
“I always ask my body, ‘What do you feel like doing today?’ I don’t get mad if that answer is, ‘I just want to sleep!’ or ‘Can I just use the steam room today?’ It’s all part of staying fit and getting ready for a new day, where I can perform to the best.”
P: How do you fit training into a busy schedule?
EM: The answer is quite simple. I make it a priority. Even when I am flooded with work or I am traveling to a different time zone, I always make time in my schedule for a sweat session. I am flexible to wake up an hour early or hit the gym in the last hour of the day before they close, to take classes, or zone out with my headphones on. Even if I only do stretching and five sit-ups. I just feel better if I don’t miss out on being active, so it’s not a huge effort for me. Luckily. Don’t get me wrong. I wasn’t born like this. It took me time to get used to this mentality, but now training to me means “me time.” A necessity that both my body and mind have the craving for.
P: How do you manage to stay healthy – and what does healthy mean to you?
EM: Other than the medical term of “healthy,” I think it is a relative statement, and the meaning of it varies for everyone. We all have to customize and adjust our lives to reach our individual health goals. I consider mental health and happiness a key part of my process, although for most of us, having a perfect medical record is a more than perfect scenario already. However, personally, I find it very important to be able to keep a generally positive attitude, good energy and motivation as much as possible.
To achieve that, I give myself plenty of time to rest. I’m not just talking about my everyday sleep cycle. As much as I love going to the gym and the sweet feeling of muscle soreness and physical exhaustion, I recognize the importance of recovery. Once, a trainer told me that the best athletes spend more time with recovery than actual training. I live by this. Sometimes I take a week off from hard workouts and once a year maybe even a month.
I try to enjoy my free time, both indoors binge-watching TV shows — because let’s be honest, we all have those days — and being outdoors to soak up the vitamin D or have a glass of rosé. To keep a good balance and health is not a race and isn’t a short-term, seasonal thing. I think about the big picture. It has to be maintainable and enjoyable throughout all the long years of our lives.
“To keep a good balance and health is not a race and isn’t a short-term, seasonal thing. I think about the big picture. It has to be maintainable and enjoyable throughout all the long years of our lives.”
P: What do you feel are the biggest challenges in achieving a healthy lifestyle?
EM: The biggest fight for me is to be able to fit health in with my environment. In an ideal world, where the air is always fresh, the water is crystal clear and meadows are green, maybe we wouldn’t need to take vitamins and supplements at all. This is not the case, though. In the fast world we now live in, work becomes a priority and we are always stressed. To achieve success in our careers gives us great satisfaction, but it often doesn’t leave us with much room and time to care for ourselves.
Even with all the healthy habits I’ve adjusted into my lifestyle, I find it really hard to make these two worlds meet in the middle and keep them balanced.
P: What achievement are you most proud of in your life?
EM: I have never felt the same euphoric satisfaction and happiness than the second I crossed the finish line at the New York City Marathon in 2017. A few years ago, when some of my friends were running races, I watched them amazed, and I thought to myself that I would never be able to complete a marathon.
But they were so inspiring and motivating that I soon found myself training for a half marathon. Due to a training injury, I couldn’t run that race, but a year later, I had the opportunity to challenge myself to something even greater — after the ups and downs of the getting ready period, a complete change in my lifestyle for the months of training. The early morning and never-ending Sunday runs. Skipping all the “normal” stuff like a birthday drink with friends or a fun Halloween party. I can confidently say that it was all worth it. The feeling of accomplishment is priceless and it’s something no one can ever take away from me.
It’s my new kind of high and as a matter of fact, I am planning on running it again this year! Can’t wait to cross that line again. This time even faster!
P: How did you first come across Puori?
EM: A healthy lifestyle comes hand in hand with healthy friends. When I saw one of my close friends who is a lifestyle blogger using Puori’s supplements, it was natural for me to unleash my curiosity onto her. She told me a lot of positive things about the products, and she technically praised them, so I had to give them a try. I have absolutely no regrets there. I am most satisfied since the first day I first tried them and recommend them to every person I know.
P: Why did you decide to become a Puori ambassador?
EM: First of all and most importantly, because every single Puori product I’ve tried has delivered to my expectations. I became a Puori believer.
“I became a Puori believer.”
After adding my research to my personal satisfaction, I soon recognized that what this brand offers for the people is wanted but rare to find. Mostly the great quality.
I was lucky to have met others on the Puroi team, who also educated me, but I’ve read the boxes, the web, reviews… I soon realized that there aren’t many companies who can deliver the same promises as Puori and stay persistent doing so. I wanted to make it my mission to introduce Puori to everyone I can reach out to. I want to educate people that taking a certain supplement or vitamin isn’t good enough to stay healthy, energized, in good shape or whatever your goals are. But it also doesn’t take an endless effort to find something affordable and better for you. Perhaps the best that is out there.
P: What is your favorite Puori product and why?
EM: I could think of four right now from the top of my head, but the one I was most surprised by when I tried it is the CX3 vitamin C formula. It’s not a supplement I take every day, but for me, it works every time I’m getting sick. One time, I was feeling kind of under the weather but I didn’t quite catch that cold yet. I took vitamin C and didn’t think much of it. I thought I was going to wake up with a fever and headache the next day. That’s how it usually happens.
Instead, I woke up feeling perfectly fine. Energized, ready to walk my dog, go to the gym, and work, like nothing happened. That is not how my body usually operates. It was like magic. I have not gotten sick since the first time I took this vitamin. No annual winter cold or flu and I have not missed a day of work. Like I said, I don’t take it every day. But I take it every time I travel, every time I feel tired or that cold is creeping up on me again. It’s my go-to and lifesaver. Oh, and did I mention it tastes like peach iced tea? Love it!
P: How do maintain balance in life?
EM: I think balance is relative. We are all different, and the key is to understand your own self and body. It’s not about following someone else’s lifestyle, workout and diet. Sure, I follow others, try lifestyle tips from them all the time, but it’s about using this knowledge and learning what is right for you.
So my balance might be working out five times a week in the afternoons, being on a low-carb diet, but indulging in ice cream and movie popcorn sometimes, while for you it might mean going to the gym twice a week, doing a yoga workshop on the weekend, eating vegetarian and having a delicious peanut butter smoothie every morning. I know if I have enough energy to wake up in the morning, keep going throughout the day with maintaining a mostly positive attitude, I am doing the right thing.
P: What role does supplementation play in your daily life?
EM: I take some supplements on the regular and some I just take as needed, when I feel like it. I have my daily vitamins because they help me stay focused on an everyday basis. Sharp at work, a good physical performance in the gym, recovery and even to get that delicious 8-10 hours of sleep at night. Other ones I only take when my energy and my smoothie needs a boost. I wouldn’t be able to keep up my daily, weekly, and monthly routine without helping my body perform at its best.
P: What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
EM: There are a few things! My biggest guilty pleasure and probably not the cutest of my habits is that I love to eat with my hands. Anything I can. Even peanut butter.
P: If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
EM: Cute, stubborn, competitive.
P: What book would you recommend that everyone should read?
EM: The last book I read was The Upside Of Stress by Kelly McGonigal. I recommend it to everyone. It helped me turn what I think is the biggest illness of the modern world — stress — into my ally and source of power.
P: What three things would you bring to a desert island?
EM: A machete, a match, and a photo of the people most important to me. That means also my dog.
Puori: How did you find your way into CrossFit®?
Ben Smith: I always had an interest in exercise and fitness growing up. My two brothers and I played many sports year round and always were practicing or training for something. We learned at a young age the discipline it takes to be good at your sport.
I found Crossfit in 2006 online at Crossfit.com and followed along there and did as many workouts as I could at home and in weight rooms at school. These workouts were some of the most challenging workouts I had ever done, but I knew that if I wanted to be better than everyone on the field, I needed to work harder than everyone.
There was a local regional competition in 2009 right down the street from our house at the time, so I signed up and ended up winning the competition and going to my first CF Games. I have been back every year since and enjoyed every minute of it!
P: What does a typical training week look like for you?
BS: My typical training week is 5-6 days of training and 1-2 days of rest. I rest every Sunday and sometimes take an extra day on Thursday if I really need it. I normally break my day up into AM and PM sessions. The morning session is typically from 9:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. until around 12:00 p.m., and then I’ll take a lunch break and come back around 2:00 or 3:00 and train and coach a class at Krypton in the evening.
I typically leave the gym sometime around 5:00 or 6:00, but I’m not training that whole time. I also coach, manage online programming, and help out with things around the gym as needed.
P: Do you have a coach and who organizes your programming?
BS: I have never had a coach. I really enjoy programming and experimenting with different methodologies and workouts. For me, I am the one who will know my body the best and what I need to work on and when I need to rest. I don’t think that anyone else can be a better judge of that than you.
I do understand that I may miss some things if I am always doing my own programming, so I am always looking around for good info and workouts online, and I also have a good group of training partners that come up with some good stuff! If you are going to coach yourself, you have to be very honest with yourself and choose workouts that will challenge you!
I offer my programming now for anyone who wants to follow the blueprint that I use each year to prepare for the Games. It’s on www.bensmithblueprint.com and we have individual programs, strength programs, and affiliate programs. I just want to share with others what I have learned over the years as to what is most effective for me and how I program.
I hope that this gives others some good/new ideas and helps them grow as athletes as they adapt to find the best training plan for themselves.
P: How do you manage to keep your mind calm and focused during competitions?
BS: This is one thing I think is very important during a competition, and the only way you can do this is to practice during your workouts at the gym. I really like doing EMOMs to practice this skill. These help me find a sustained pace, work on my breathing, and work on staying calm and composed during a high-volume, high-intensity workout.
Experiment with these EMOMs and work on finding your thresholds and sustained paces. If you get good enough, you will know exactly how fast you are capable of going while staying composed because you have tested this in the gym.
Start by picking three movements (including at least one movement you need to work on) and alternate between them, doing one movement each minute for anywhere from 20-30 minutes (7-10 rounds).
You should be working for about 30-40 seconds out of each minute. Keep track of your movements, weights, and reps, and over time, you can increase the loading and intensity and see a distinct improvement.
P: What do you feel are your biggest weaknesses and strengths in CrossFit®?
BS: I would like to say that I have worked all of my weaknesses out by year 10 of my CF career, but I haven’t quite yet. I still am working to improve my overall conditioning (running, rowing, biking) and my bodyweight and gymnastics movements. I will always be working on these things and have found that the more I practice them, the more I start to enjoy them.
I would say my strength, if I have one, is workouts that combine something heavier (maybe an odd object) and a gymnastics or conditioning skill. I have always worked on my strength and especially enjoyed things like Strongman implements and sleds in the middle of a heavy workout.
P: What achievement are you most proud of in your life?
BS: I feel obligated to say winning the CrossFit Games in 2015 because that was the culmination of over seven years of constant dedication and commitment to one thing. For me, it just goes to show that you have potential to do incredible things if you put your mind to them, work hard consistently (every single day), and truly believe you are capable of them.
We as people are capable of so much, and the biggest obstacle to overcoming your struggles and reaching your potential is yourself, your attitude/ego, your work ethic, and your attention to detail.
P: How did you first come across Puori?
BS: I have actually used Puori products for years! I was introduced to them maybe back in 2011 or 2012. I was looking for a quality fish oil product and ended up stumbling upon Puori’s O3, M3, and D3, and I have been a buyer and consumer of their products ever since!
I am super excited for the opportunity to be a part of the Puori team. I know for a fact that the quality, purity, and effectiveness of their products cannot be beaten.
P: Why did you decide to become a Puori ambassador?
BS: I have a couple of rules when it comes to representing a brand or company. First, I wouldn’t endorse a product that I don’t completely believe in and use on a daily basis.
Secondly, I want that product or brand or company to represent some of the same values that I hold as important — values that carry over to their products and make them something that I would want to share with my family and friends. In Puori’s case, their products are some of the cleanest and purest products on the market. Their brand stands for not only improving the performance of athletes but also improving health and wellness across the board, from the elite athlete to the everyday citizen.
Health, wellness, obesity, and disease are huge obstacles in today’s society, and I know we are both passionate about helping others overcome these hurdles and improve their quality of life inside and outside of the gym. I am excited to be a part of the team!
P: What is your favorite Puori product and why?
BS: If I had to pick one product that is my absolute favorite, I would choose D3 or M3. I take these every evening, and it’s a couple of their products that I would recommend to everyone. Vitamin D is important for many vital functions in the body, including proper hormone function. M3 improves my quality of sleep and recovery, without a doubt.
P: What role does supplementation play in your daily life?
BS: I have never been too big into supplementation through my CF career. I do believe you can get just about everything you need from a healthy diet and proper sleep. But since I train so often, it therefore becomes a necessary aid to my recovery.
I use a Puori whey protein shake after tough workouts to get something good into my body fast before I have a chance to sit down and eat a meal. I also use it occasionally on the go if I need something in the morning or evening as I am heading out somewhere.
P: How do maintain balance in life?
BS: My personality is one of an unbalanced nature, so balance is something I am always working on. If I had it my way, I would spend too much energy or attention on one thing I am specifically working on or interested in. Balance is an art. I try to split my balance between training, spending quality time with my wife/family/friends, and reading/learning something new.
P: What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
BS: I love to spend my free time reading history, philosophy, science, religion, other non-fiction, and the occasional Jack Reacher book.
P: If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
BS: Stubborn/resolute (but in a good way… I think), hungry (pretty much all the time), and inquisitive.
P: What book would you recommend that everyone should read?
BS: That’s tough — there are so many. One that I really liked a lot was 7 Men by Eric Metaxas. He also has 7 Women. It’s about influential people throughout history and what factors in their life made them into the people they were! Definitely inspiring.
]]>Puori: How do you manage to stay healthy – and what does healthy mean to you?
Thomas Rode: I manage to stay fit mainly because I’m fully aware of what it feels like, and the costs of not being fit after a major lifestyle change back 2006 - 2007 and remember. Once I adapted to my new lifestyle and prospered by the benefits, becoming somewhat the best version of myself, I remember I thought to myself: I can never go back to my old lifestyle, I can never quite training or lose focus on my health. I have to do this for the rest of my life.
So to be the best version of yourself in order the be the best parents to your kids, the best spouse, the best colleague, the best friend etc. and to be able to do what life requires of you, is what being healthy means to me.
Puori: How do you keep yourself fit?
Thomas Rode: It’s easy. I have been inspired, motivated, taught and taught how to teach myself to eat and train in a healthy, fulfilling and satisfying way that appeals to me at makes me happy. It’s never a painful punishment to go to train or to cook a nice healthy meal. I do it because I love it ….. the health benefits are just an extra gift. My training regime is disciplined but also playful with a lot of variety to it. I mix open water swimming, with CrossFit®, MTB riding, Olympic Weightlifting, running and gymnastics and are always on a curious pursuit of being wiser, stronger and more skilled.
Puori: How do you fit training into a busy schedule?
Thomas Rode: I train with a high volume when I have the time and skip it when times are busy, and work requires my focus. Sometimes I try to fit in workouts and training while for instance, writing. But as a matter of fact, I prefer to be concentrated while training and concentrated while working, with the knowledge that I do what I can when I have the possibility, so I don’t have to be stressed about days where a workout just doesn’t fit in.
Puori: What do you feel are the biggest challenges in achieving a healthy lifestyle?
Thomas Rode: Unawareness and not to be able to relate to reality. Human beings are designed to work, to interact and to be social, to sleep, to love, to move and to eat certain foods, and by that to obtain the necessary essential nutrients. Life becomes critical and unhealthy when you ignore these facts. If you swop artificial “Frankenfood” for whole foods, if you swop adventures for other people’s lives on a screen, if you keep your self-awake with sugar, caffeine and also believes that that’s where energy comes from and if you ignore your body’s need for movement and believes that you get energy from saving it, you will encounter serious health problems. Unfortunately, that is the case for a lot of people.
Puori: What role do supplements play in your daily life?
Thomas Rode: I try to eat as nutritious as possible, with a focus on high-quality whole food, but realize that supplements are important if your life an active life, and use your body and your brain. High output in your everyday life, requires high input of the right fuel but also the right micronutrients like minerals and vitamins. For most people probiotics would also be very beneficial to effectively nourish your microbiome. Especially I’m very focused on my omega 3 intakes and believe it’s one of the biggest threats to common health, that there’s no public consensus about the necessity of high-quality fatty acids in the right form. I never go to bed without a proper dose of vitamin D, Magnesium and Omega 3
Puori: How did you first come across Puori?
Thomas Rode: I recon it was back in 2007 - 8, just after I seriously got caught by CrossFit®. I found myself really focused on improving in all aspects of my new lifestyle and was training vigorously to get in proper shape and to be able to learn and adapt to all these new things I had to learn and improve in. I started reading about restitution and the importance to supplement if you really meant business …. Which I did by that time. I believe that Puori was rising alongside the other big international brands as for instance Reebok and Rouge with CrossFit® and was a part of what we cross-fitters needed in order to get better, being on the same journey as the before mentioned brands, not only providing important products but also general and super useful awareness and knowledge of use to the CrossFit® community.
Puori: What is your favourite Puori product’s and why?
Thomas Rode: I believe that M3 is my all-time favourite and I must have swallowed a ton of M3 capsules during the years. I can’t really feel that I’m taking them, but I for sure can if I don’t. I obviously take them every day in my daily dose of P3 and use to up the dose up until a great physical endeavour. I used to do a couple of long-distance combat swimming, like 15K plus, and have experienced cramps in ankles and feet. But by increasing the dose in the week up to the events it's no problem!
Puori: How do you maintain balance in life?
Thomas Rode: Like mentioned above. I try to be realistic and pay a lot of attention to evolutionary science and strive to always have the facts and knowledge of evolutionary science in my mind (Of course using supplements is some sort of bio-hack but it derives from evolutionary science) I know that I can’t substitute essential stuff with artificial stuff, I know that I can’t substitute nutrition with “Frankenfood” just because it tastes good, I know I can’t substitute social life and contact with devices. I know if I focus on getting as much real, essential and good stuff, there’s also space for the guilty pleasures in the right amount. I know that I will never swoop the life I have, the way I feel, the people I have gotten to know, the things and experiences I’ve achieved because of the lifestyle change I choose to make back in 2007 because I eagerly wanted to strive after being the best version of myself.
Frederiksen discovered triathlons in 2004; and, after she graduated from the University of Copenhagen in 2008 with a Master of Science in Physical Education and Human Nutrition, she went pro. She burst onto the international racing scene almost immediately, with three victories at ETU European Cups and a 2nd-place best finish at an ITU World Cup. In 2012, she qualified for the London Olympics.
And she hasn’t stopped climbing since.
Frederiksen’s career record to date is nothing short of impressive. She is the current ITU Long Distance World Champion, a 9 x IRONMAN 70.3 winner. She holds the fastest time in history for the half-distance and set a national record on her debut at the IRONMAN distance.
Puori: How did you find your way into triathlon/Ironman?
Helle Frederiksen: Originally, my entry into triathlon was via a very local and hyggeligt (Danish for cosy) “Women with Power” event in Odense, Denmark. I was 23 years old and a spinning instructor at the time. Many of my spinning class participants persuaded me to give it a try. They knew of my swim background (I was a national team swimmer from the age of 12 to 18 years old) and they saw me running on a treadmill a few times. They thought I could be good at triathlon. So, I gave it a go.
I borrowed a bike and wore a baggy t-shirt, and I was a complete novice. I won that event but I didn’t get into triathlon at that time. Around two years later, I started to become more curious about the sport and also serious about training and competing.
Very quickly, I progressed, and this was mainly due to my history as a swimmer and my untapped talent as a runner. At 25 years of age, I was definitely a late starter in the sport. My jump into full-distance IRONMAN racing came nine years into my career as a professional triathlete. I have advanced through the Olympic distance, competing at the London 2012 Olympics.
Afterwards, following the Olympics, I moved to the half-distance format, also known as IRONMAN 70.3. Here, I really untapped my true potential, and the distance was so much better for me. In 2017, having accomplished so much in the half-distance — including a still-standing world best time of 3:55:50 for the 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21.1km run format — I looked for a new challenge and moved up to the full-distance IRONMAN with my debut in Arizona, USA back in November 2017. I finished 2nd and claimed a Danish IRONMAN record at the time with a finish of 8:53:35.
P: What does a typical week look like for you?
HF: A typical week for me is approximately 25 hours of training, spread across seven days — five swim sessions (averaging 4-5km each time), four to five bike sessions (the longest being six hours), and five to six run sessions (ranging in pace, anything from 3’30” per km for intervals and 5’00” for basic runs. I conduct strength training two to three times a week.
I eat lots and often! Also, I rest as much as possible when not training. I get massage and therapy treatments on average once per week.
P: What does healthy mean to you?
HF: Health to me is the essence of life. I love life and I strongly believe in being healthy and looking after our health. Everyone has a responsibility for their own health. Unfortunately, there are challenges that are out of our control. However, there is no excuse not to take care of your body and live well.
Healthy eating habits and exercise should rank as the most important priorities we carry upon ourselves.
P: What do you feel are the biggest challenges in achieving a healthy lifestyle?
HF: I think the biggest challenge of all is for people to adopt and embrace a healthy way of living as a lifestyle, as opposed to it being a short-term fix. Being healthy is a lifelong commitment, and I believe for many, a lack of commitment is a result of little to no knowledge on what being healthy means for our body and our minds.
P: What achievement are you most proud of in your life?
HF: That’s a great question…It would have to be enabling myself to live the past 11 years of my life as a professional athlete. This has resulted in me travelling to almost every continent in the world and becoming an Olympian, a world champion and one of the fastest female triathletes on the planet.
I’m extremely proud of persevering my way through the toughest of times to experience the highest of highs and live the life that I’ve worked so hard for.
P: How did you first come across Puori?
HF: I studied Human Nutrition as my Master degree and wrote my master thesis on omega-3 fatty acids and the effect on bone mineral density of teenage boys. I have a true appreciation for high quality in fish oil, as I know all too well how varied the quality level is of fish oil.
I purchased the omega-3 for its reputation as the highest quality available.
P: Why did you decide to become a Puori ambassador?
HF: To be honest, I simply wanted to carry this company’s values alongside my career and officially stand for the products. It’s such a natural endorsement for me. I can’t think of a better company to represent.
P: What’s your favourite Puori product and why?
HF: Omega-3. In my opinion, there’s no higher standard of fish oil on the market. This, I can’t shout about enough. High-quality fish oil is so important.
P: How do you maintain balance in life?
HF: I’m a planner, so planning is important for me to maintain balance. I’ve grown to learn the importance of not being overly consumed by one thing. Disconnecting from my job in the evenings, when my work (training) is done, is important for balance. For example, knowing when to take on my role as an athlete, when to be a supportive wife to my husband, etc., are just a few ways I try to strike balance in life.
Additionally, I believe that setting goals and having flexibility toward what it takes to achieve those goals brings a lot of calmness.
P: What role does supplementation play in your daily life?
HF: Supplementation is a reassurance that I get what my body is needing, especially when it’s under such high work stress. This is no different if you are a professional athlete or a hard-working business professional. Supplementation is simply key for us to be at our best.
It can be extremely challenging to consume the vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids that our bodies need to be at their best if we don’t supplement.
P: What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
HF: I once worked as a checkout girl at a local supermarket. I saved relentlessly and used the earnings to fund my six-month backpacking trip through Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia.
P: If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
HF: Dedicated, health-driven, straight shooter.
P: What book would you recommend that everyone should read?
HF: It’s one for the healthy and active female crowd…ROAR, by Dr. Stacy Sims.
We recently caught up with Louise Bruun, author of a number of books including the extremely popular 21 Healing Days of Anti-Inflammatory Diet. Louise is a health enthusiast hailing from Denmark who holds lectures, workshops and various events about improving wellbeing.
We sat down and asked her about how she manages to stay healthy whilst being so busy, as well as what her routine looks like, as well as how she uses diet, exercise and supplements to improve her health.
Puori: How did you end up doing what do you?
Louise Bruun: I have always loved food, herbs and nature. When I finished my bachelor in Japanese and economics, I had no clue about my future or what I really wanted. My then boyfriend (now husband) suggested that I should do something with food... And then I started my own catering business with organic, healthy food - and thats how it all started!
P: What does a typical week look like for you?
LB: I spend time with my four kids. As well as that I spend time focussing on work, read and write. I also do yoga, run, cook and I love.
P: What do you feel are the biggest challenges in achieving a healthy lifestyle?
LB: I personally don’t really see any challenges to being healthy, but not everyone is the same. I know that for many people it’s the temptations you meet all the time. But for me it feels natural and everything I do – I do it out of love for achieving health, not because of some cult health diet.
P: What achievement are you most proud of in your life?
LB: Definitely my kids and my family!
P: How did you first discover Puori?
LB: I first came across Puori through the two founders Oliver and Julius from the fitness world, and I have followed their journey since the beginning.
P: What is your favorite Puori product and why?
LB: My favourite products are Puori C3, SB3 and M3... but I love them all!
P: What role does supplementation play in your daily life?
LB: I use supplements, but not on an everyday basis. I use them when I need something extra. Maybe if I feel stressed, sick or if I work out a lot. I do the same with my kids and provide them with a little extra especially when the seasons change, when we move from summer to autumn and autumn to winter.
P: What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
LB: I eat a lot of chocolate!
P: If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
LB: Positive/happy, impulsive, ambitious.
P: How do you relate personally to Puori’s 4 cornerstones (healthy diet, physical activity, recovery, balance). Firstly, what does healthy mean to you?
LB: Health, food, and movement is a big part of my life. It’s my hobby and I turned it into my job. I love feeling strong and healthy and I love to inspire people to feel the same.
P: How do you practice healthy living?
LB: I cook my own food and I eat organic or biodynamic. I move everyday outside in nature - the woods, by the sea and stay close to my family. I go to bed early and I don’t drink a lot of alcohol, but I do drink plenty of water. I also try to love myself every day and I try to be grateful for everything I have.
P: How do maintain balance in life?
LB: I spend time with my 4 kids and husband as much as I can. I eat, sleep, drink and love the best I can.
P: What does balance mean to you?
LB: When I feel strong both mentally and physically. When I feel happy and motivated.
P: What does physical activity mean to you? And how do you stay in shape?
LB: I do yoga, I lift weights, I run, I walk, I play, I swim in the sea and I sleep and eat well – and it means the world to me. I do not thrive when I my physical activity level is low…I want to move every day, because it makes my head, my brain and body stronger.