JOHN CONWAY
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Being the stubborn Irishman that I am, I was hesitant to seek help after having a torn right rotator cuff repaired back in January of this year. My doctor had me in a sling for 6 weeks post-op and only after the 7th week was I supposed to start moving my arm. Let's just say that that was no easy task, however I was determined to get things back to normal. I was determined to get things better than normal!

Although, according to the doctor I was progressing at a faster than normal rate, I wasn't satisfied. I'm a very active 43-year-old, and not being able to do the things I love was really beginning to take its toll. I had always been into spending time in the gym three days a week and each time I looked in the mirror and saw my right shoulder severely atrophied (actually my whole right upper body), I knew I had to do get back to some sort of fitness program. I consulted with my doctor who stated that a light weight training routing (machines only) would be acceptable.

This is a good start I thought, but my mobility just wasn't coming along. Being associated with PSE (Precision Shooting Equipment), and knowing some of the most avid/successful archers in the country, the word was out that the person I needed to see was Bert Seelman. After my initial consultation I was sold. In April 1 began my 12-week "Performance Fitness" program. It was the beginning of a love/hate relationship.

The first month was essentially just helping me get my mobility back via a lot of stretching and minimal weight training. The machines Bert employs are great for rehab work and getting back your range of motion. Even though I have been into weight training for the better part of two decades, I had come to realize I knew nothing. My typical workout would be about an hour and a half. Now I was working the entire body from head to toe in less than 20 minutes with another 21 minutes of cardio at the end. In actuality it was a full 40 minutes of cardio because of the technique utilized.

Bert calls it a metabolic workout. All I know is that the results were phenomenal. My resting heart rate went from the mid 70's to the low 60's in less than 2 months. Body fat went from 23% to 12% in 5 weeks. Although I only lost 5 net ponds, I had actually gained 22 lbs. of lean muscle. Friends and associates would look at me and think I lost 10 to 15 lbs. I lost 5 lbs. on the scale but the transformation was incredible. Of course there is a lot more than the resistance training and cardio that is involved. The diet is probably the most integral part. I've never eaten so much food, good food. It's a total fitness program that when followed will yield awesome results. I'm in the best shape of my life right now. In fact my wife who followed my lead on the diet portion lost 10 lbs. without even trying.

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Just recently I returned from an archery elk hunt in the White Mountains of Arizona. We were camped at 7,500 ft altitude and hunted up to 9,000. Typically at this altitude it takes a few days to get acclimated, however I never felt so good (even though I was on the tail end of severe head cold), and after the second day I knew that I could only be successful. Enclosed is a photo of my best Bull yet. Thanks Bert for changing my way of thinking. Thanks for changing my life. I feel that I have not only gained knowledge in the way to a healthier life, I have gained a friend. When are we going hunting? - John E. Conway