[tweetthis]Have you ever read something in the local newspaper that made you stop and ask, “Wait a minute. How did he do that?” That’s what happened to me [/tweetthis]
Loved-One pointed out an article in the Northwest Herald about a local high school basketball player who lost 45 pounds during the off-season.
I’m not much of a sports fan. I’m usually along for the companionship, unless I know the athlete. But… I did have teenage boys, I do have teenage grandson’s, My experience with teenaged boys is that they just eat and eat and eat until all the food is gone. They don’t even seem to know when they are full. I’ve been interested in nutrition, weight loss, and exercise most of my adult
And… I love to talk to interesting people. So, I contacted Steve Drain, the owner of Total Nutrition and Training (TNT) who advised the boy in the article.
Here’s Steve with his family (he provided the photo):
Steve told me that he has a huge passion for working out. He played football at University of Missouri, and arena football for Chicago. He loves the idea of getting more muscular. “There’s no end to improvement.”
I like to work out, too, but for me it has to be fun. I like almost any exercise to music, even weight lifting. I love to swim. I ran for a couple of years before I realized the only thing I liked about running was stopping. I do love my bicycle, it makes me feel like a kid again, but don’t ask me to “spin.” Why pedal if you’re going nowhere?
“Diet is simpler than what people like to think,” he told me. “What people need today is guidance and someone to keep them accountable. Sometimes people just need to hear what they already know.” I believe Steve, because most of what he told me I DID already know.
Steve thinks that the big difference that he offers is that he practices what he preaches and he goes the extra mile with his clients. “Alex [the boy from the newspaper article] didn’t pay me to come over and talk to his parents or to go grocery shopping with him. I just did it because that’s what he needs.” He also said it’s difficult to get motivated to sacrifice if the person coaching you is overweight and out of shape.
“I just gives advice based on my knowledge and experience.” said Steve. He’s certified by NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) and USAW (USA weightlifting.) It’s different for each person. Not everyone has the same goals. One young girl that came to TNT just wanted to stop gaining weight. “That’s a start,” said Steve.
How often people eat is sometimes an issue. “Food can be considered your gas tank or energy source. If you take in a lot of energy before going to sleep, your body will store it. Just that one thing can make a dramatic difference.”
“If you really want to make it happen, it will take some serious dedication,” cautioned Steve. “Keeping muscle while losing weight is the hard part.”
Steve also pointed out something my experience confirms, “The body gets used to a certain type of training.” That’s why he likes to switch it up. He offers unlimited coaching, supplements, post-workout protein shakes, and body profile work. He works with people on speed and agility and explosion for the athletes he works with. “Every week is different. “
Although Steve works mostly with young guys, his clients are male and female and anywhere from 9-60 years old. His mission: to provide a model for healthy living behavior by example and through education in an environment that is positive, enthusiastic, and intense, thereby reducing the risk of injury.
Steve got started almost serendipitously. He had just graduated from college with a Business Management major and a marketing minor, when a friend of his dad’s asked him if he’d like to train the Junior Wolves, a feeder program for the local high school. That was the beginning of TNT.
Steve, 27, is the oldest of four children, Greg (1.5 years younger than Steve) Madison, 21, and Camille, 16 is a student at Prairie Ridge.
“My dad was always there for me,” said Steve. “He spent every waking second with us kids. He said the only reason he had his own business was because of his kids. He coached us in baseball and football, and was a karate instructor.” Steve’s dad had sudden heart failure and passed away when he was only 52 years old. Since then, his mom has been everyone’s guardian angel.
“I was not the craziest,best athlete in high school. I could have been better if I had the correct guidance,” explained Steve. “I was the kid who needed more. I needed a coaches that I could feel cared about me.” That’s why Steve thinks a feeling of belonging is an important part of his program. “The people I work with are like part of the family.” Steve went on to explain about a time after a football practice, when he knew he needed to lift weights. “The coach rolled his eyes, ‘Really, you want to work out now?’ ” How coaches treat kids can effect their entire lives.” That’s why he tries to get to all their games and events. “A coach should be approachable, but respected. You have to have boundaries.”
Steve’s passion isn’t limited to TNT. He and other local business raised $2300 for GiGi’s playhouse, a Down’s Syndrome Achievement Center, last year. He helped raise money to pay for Christmas for the Steven Rick family after Rick, a local teacher passed away from stage 4 cancer. In 2015 he raised $1200 for Turning Point, a local domestic violence agency.
To find out more about Steve visit his Facebook Page.
I’m ready for a nap. I just got back from a 45 minute workout at HealthBridge. I closed all my rings on my fitness app, after which I went for a butter burger Culver’s. Whoops! I did skip the fries and the soft drink, so not all that was bad.