Physical Mind individual clients spoke in their own words about their transformed health.
Real people, real lives.
Martha: healthcare business owner, found success with coaching her small business through friendly and fun coaching sessions
"Jody": female, mid-30's: began coaching wanting to lose weight, but wound up with a new career and a new healthy life she hadn't dared dream.
"Annie": female, early 20's: overcame an eating disorder with patient coaching towards her goals of balance.
J.D. Roth: male, late 30's, found himself overweight and unhappy despite a successful career, and through coaching found happiness, better balance, and renewed sense of energy.
"Citizen Deux": male, early 40's, doubted coaching until he was coached to make easy changes to lose almost 20 lbs.
Robert: male, early 40's, wanted help transforming out of being a pudgy office boy back into top athletic shape, while feeling completely empowered.
Donna: female, early 50's, was a 50-year-old grandmother who was selected by Bowflex to attempt a transformation. She was coaching in exercise and health techniques in person.
Brian : male, mid-30's, was a martial arts instructor finding renewed focus in improving his energy, flexibility, strength.
Laura: female, mid-20's, felt lost on how to make fitness improvements on her own, until coaching helped her lose fat, gain muscle, and gain a love for exercise.
Tonia: female, mid-30's, felt frustrated with previous attempts at exercise and nutrition, until in-person coaching taught her the techniques, solutions, and support she sought.
Larry: male, early 40's, had a recent heart surgery, and needed coaching to help gain strength and health through the healing process.
Larry J: male, early 50's, loved his lessons on how to train himself in the gym on his own after coaching.
"I've been working with Lauren to build my healthcare business. Lauren has a real talent for honing in on the details of a project/vision/business goal in order to methodically move toward its completion. I can see a quantitative difference in my sense of organization, and "big picture" thinking in regards to my clients and my services. She also has a direct, focused, friendly and fun approach to business coaching where integrity with and support of the client is key. I would recommend her to anyone who needs help in getting clear on creating a solid foundation upon which to create that which they say they want in their life or business. Her coaching isn't just positively affecting my business, but also my life!"
Martha Peterson, owner, Essential Somatics
I have suffered from a severe eating disorder for nine years, recovering from anorexia only to find myself one summer falling into binge eating patterns. Recovery from an eating disorder depends not only on nutritional intervention, but on identifying and coping with the sufferer's psyche. Lauren helped with both and did a fantastic job of it. I did not know what a powerful effect food had on one's emotional states, but Lauren made me realize that a lot of the anxiety and bipolar thoughts and feelings I had were fueled by sugar. By changing my nutrition so that I was eating little sugar and more protein and fat, I was able to minimize the anxiety I felt all of the time. I also learned that improving body composition, something important to me as an endurance athlete, is not a matter of not eating (as I had tried previously) but rather by eating correctly. That idea is a large part of what finally pulled me out of my eating disorder.
I made progress working with Lauren that summer, but the most powerful part of that progress is that two years later, no longer under Lauren's guidance, I still remember a lot of what she taught me and use that knowledge to stay healthy mentally and physically. A wellness coach whose impact lasts long past the time she spends with you, Lauren's help is invaluable.
"Annie",
endurance athlete, graduate student
It is kind of amazing to think about all the work we did together; my life is really different now and I think about our coaching all the time.
Yesterday I was telling my best friend something about my journey. I don’t think I’d be here if it weren’t for those coaching sessions. Lauren really put a lot out to help me. I will never forget it. It is amazing how much my life has changed since then. Launched my new business, and have an entirely new perspective on health and “being”. Again, I don’t know if I’d be here without that work. She facilitated some of the biggest changes in my life! I’m forever grateful.
I reflect on our discussions and themes pop into my head like, “it’s about creation, and creating the life you want to live”. Also I think about key words that we discussed, like “dreams”. I don’t know if I ever dreamed, or allowed myself to dream prior to our work. I had visions, but they were somewhat limited. Now they’re significantly bigger and richer. Working with Lauren was one of the best investments of my life.
"Jody"
small business owner
Everything Lauren said meshes with the information I've read in nutrition books. She also had some insights into fitness that were new to me. And in a case of serendipity, she stressed the importance of mindfulness, - being aware of your thoughts and your actions. The conversation[s] with Lauren [were] energizing.....
I was amazed to see that she'd taken great lengths to remove mental barriers to accomplishing certain tasks...
This has been a wonderful year. I feel fulfilled for the first time in ages. My depression has receded to a background buzz. I attribute this to my newfound purpose in life, and to the assistance of Lauren Muney, my wellness coach. Lauren helped me to confront my self-destructive behavior, and to see that I could make smart choices. The change has been remarkable. [See J.D.'s full report on "GET RICH SLOWLY", about how getting fit can save you money]
JD Roth
financial writer, "Get Rich Slowly"
[Full text on Citizen Deux's blog located here]
You can not bluff your way into middle age. [Lauren] provided several simple approaches tailored to my own irascible personality designed to help me get more fit. To be honest, I was dubious. I had always been in the 180-188 weight class.A little more than four months later I am teetering at 163. Yike! A lot of this [success] is credited to Lauren's thorough approach and comprehensive attention to my personality and goals. I still have a lot of work to do, but the bulk of it is behind me.
"Citizen Deux" (blog name)
engineer
military reservist
I have been a distance runner, a football player, a martial artist, a rugby player, a skydiver, and a weight lifter. I was a Paratrooper in the U.S. Army and played rugby for the championship Ft. Bragg “All Americans”. I have always excelled in any physical activity that I have undertaken.
While attending a training course in Glynco, Georgia, I ripped my Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) from its attachment point on the bone. The resulting surgery and recovery spanned 2 years, and the knee will never be the same. I suddenly realized that I’m not only getting older, but am not indestructible either. For me this seemed the end of my athletic endeavors and was the end of what had been a very athletic physique. Suddenly, my “normal” eating habits, lack of drive, and principally sedentary occupation turned me into a “pudgy office boy”.
Along came Lauren. I thought that I had a pretty good grasp, on fitness and lifestyle from my past, I was wrong. Lauren was forced to de-program many of my poor lifestyle habits and re-engineer my exercise routine around the knee issue. Her strongest skill, besides her amazing knowledge base, is her ability to listen and connect with her clients. She had to combat my natural cockiness, listen to my “glory days” stories, and re-direct my focus on “NOW” not the past.Lauren conducted nutritional meetings, status reviews, motivational discussions, e-mail consults, fitness literature discussions, program comparisons, and supplement advice. I realized that I did not know as much as I thought I did.
The impressive thing about Lauren is that she never made me feel that my ideas were wrong, she simply directed me to a reference on the topic and allowed me to come up with my own solution. She trained me by focusing my energy on training myself; an excellent approach for someone who feels that they have been there and done it all. People like me will seldom listen to aggressive “do what I say” style trainers. Lauren taught me that my knee is not an obstacle, now my legs are stronger than ever. Lauren personifies the theory, “I can be your coach for one hour a day, but you are your own coach for the other 23 hours”.
Robert
former "pudgy office boy"
skydiver
[Click here for Bowflex's 2004 promotional video of Lauren's Bowflex client Donna]
After I met with Bowflex they told me that trainers would be coming to my house. I didn’t know what to expect. Bowflex contacted a company called In Good Health, where Lauren was working at the time.
I trained mostly with Lauren; she was just the greatest. She makes you feel like you have known her forever. She really listened to my fitness goals, ideas, and my views on nutrition, she was able to take my knowledge and wants and needs and give them back to me in an enlightening way. She explained why things that had once worked in the past had changed with my age, new food allergies, and the added personal stresses all had to now factor in. She showed me how to deal with those issues. Lauren is an incredible powerhouse of fitness , nutrition and self help knowledge and she wants to empower you to succeed.
Lauren is more than a coach, she is a friend who listens and she wants to see you achieve your goals and she will teach you how to do it with a truly caring heart. She showed me how to relax and that she herself had the confidence that I would achieve my goals. Lauren didn’t just show me how to ‘fix’ the outside she showed me how to help me from my inside out, she worked with my 'whole' person. To sum it up I just love Lauren, I think she is the greatest. I thank my lucky stars - and Bowflex - that I had the opportunity to meet Lauren, because she's the best.
There comes a time in everyone’s life when you need to get back on track. I had had some major changes in my life, some successful others not so successful. Finding my focus was beginning to become a problem. After the first meeting with Lauren she changed my eating habits right off the bat. I was skeptical at first because I was more interested in the training side than the nutritional aspects. However, after just a couple days I couldn’t deny that I was feeling better and I hadn’t even begun my training routine.
Lauren took the time to consider my goals and previous commitments (as an Assistant Instructor of Tai Chi Chuan) as well as the results I was going for and came up with a battle plan. Incorporating my interests in martial arts with a weight lifting/cardio regiment I feel the best I have in years.
All these little changes and alterations to how I was living lead to a greater whole. I have my focus back and have taken my new found energy to drive forward and make other aspects of my life a success.
Brian
Graphic Designer / Illustrator
Tai Chi Chuan Competitor
Any well educated nutritionist and/or personal trainer can tell you how to exercise and “eat right”. It’s not terribly difficult. All one need do is take a few classes and read a few books, pass some tests and voila! Personal trainer, right? Wrong. You need to find someone who is able to listen, to really learn about you, your needs and your reservations, your likes, dislikes, history, beliefs, you need someone who is willing to care about you and guide you almost spiritually into your new body, it needs to be personal. Before I started working with Lauren Muney, I was lost on the yo-yo fad diet craze along with the rest of the country. I felt lost. I needed some clarity, I needed guidance, I was ready, I was open, I was desperate for a guide!
After just one session with Lauren, I felt as though I’d been hit by a lightning bolt. All of a sudden, here was someone who was actually hearing every word I said! Not only that, she really cared about my success and understood completely “where I was coming from.” Never for one moment did she make me feel like anything I’d done, tried or felt was “bad”, she let me feel human and taught me how to feed my needs, understand my wants and start my journey to a more educated and stronger self.
In the two months that I had worked with Lauren, I lost approximately 15 lbs of fat, gone down two clothing sizes and gained approximately 10 lbs of muscle. I think the most important factor in my success has been my readiness for it and my trust in this amazing person that has been gifted into my life. I trust Lauren and I am open, willing and ready to try anything she suggests, because I know it comes from a place of intelligence and, especially, of care. I once had a teacher whose motto was ‘say yes’ to everything. Just ‘say yes’. It is amazing what you can do, what you can live with, what you can love if you are just willing to ‘say yes’.
I have found that I have a new sensitivity to my body, to my food, to my feelings and to my nature. I have even developed a great love for exercise! It is addictive. It is inspiring. And how wonderful to have such a kind and thoughtful guide to help you through each accomplishment, each change and each challenge!
Laura
now learning to be a wellness coach herself
Before I met Lauren 1-1/2 years ago, I was dedicated to exercising regularly but was not achieving results. Through my frustration, I was still motivated to find a program that worked for me. When my husband and I purchased a home gym from Leisure Fitness, I noticed Lauren's business card and decided to contact her.
In my first meeting with Lauren, I learned why I wasn't achieving the desired results from my hard work -- I had been weight training using my arms and not my muscles! Lauren demonstrated the proper way to weight train each muscle group, pointing out ways to prevent injury. With Lauren's training and guidance, I've continued exercising regularly, and now I'm super motivated because I can actually see the results! My core is stronger, and my posture is better than ever.
In addition to addressing my exercise and weight training concerns, Lauren also reviewed the journal of my daily nutrition and lifestyle choices. As a result of our discussions, Lauren prepared a customized plan of practical food choices to help me better control the symptoms of a chronic health concern. She also helped me to realize how managing environmental factors can improve my lifestyle.
Because of my health issue, my physical changes have been gradual. Yes, this is frustrating, but, as Lauren constantly reminds me, change occurs from the inside first! Lauren always listens to my concerns and frustrations, asks questions, and provides a variety of sensible options on how to address them. She has been a motivator and a supporter, and she continues to check in with me regularly just to ask how I feel. Lauren's expertise and concern about the health and wellbeing of others has proven invaluable.
Tonia
Government administrator
Lauren Muney has and is assisting me with my health and fitness. Before I had bypass surgery she was working with me to help me lose weight and generally improve my health. When we became aware that I had more serious health problems than were previously diagnosed Lauren sought out additional assistance from a colleague. She has continued to be actively involved and supportive of the program that is being developed for me. She has done extensive research on specialized nutrition and health issues for me to be aware of and shared this information with me and helped me to understand what I need to do to help myself improve. She has been flexible when I have resisted certain courses. She has given me information to provide to my doctors to help in my care. She has been very willing to share information and support both in person and through E-mail. Through all of this she has not only been a caring professional but a friend.
Larry
Internal Revenue Service
The first thing that Lauren did was ask me questions and assess my body's muscular and skeletal condition; and by her comments and thoughts, I quickly realized that she was an experienced personal fitness trainer. Lauren’s thoroughness and professional approach gave the reassurance that I had been looking for. I finally found a trainer that was a fitness trainer and a wellness coach and when you meet Lauren, you will quickly realize that she practices what she preaches. The next thing we did was head to the weight room at my gym, a well-known club here in Dallas. Lauren’s approach was, “Let me do the exercise first, you watch and learn”. To tell you the truth, I had never had a personal trainer do this before. And now it was my turn at the exercise and Lauren’s comments were, “feel that” and “see how this works”. We spent 2 hrs on this one powerhouse session, because I only had her for one afternoon. When the afternoon training session as over, I was totally drained but I had gained exercise knowledge. To this day, when I go through my exercise workouts, I can still feel Lauren’s energy. She put all the other trainers in that club to shame.
I have learned one thing in life, in order to gain knowledge you need a teacher and there are many things in life to experience so save time and always go with the very best you can find.
Larry J
professional