In this podcast episode we talk with Jeriod Turner a member of the Academy who has been on a life changing transformation in his health and fitness.

He has lost 50 pounds in the last six months. He recently ran a 1:31 half marathon and is currently training for his second full marathon in September.

Jeriod works as a commercial lender for Commerce Bank he is married and has two kids and lives in Hannibal, Missouri.

His progress has inspired us all!

See before and after picture.

“Six months ago, I was determined to lose weight. I started focusing out what I ate and exercising more. Somewhere along this journey, I discovered MTA which has helped me in both my running and my diet. I am very grateful to the help that you have been. I have lost 50 pounds and am now at a healthy weight for the first time in 10+ years. I also got 5th overall in my half-marathon over the weekend with a time of 1:31:24. Weight loss is no longer my focus but running has become a passion and a great motivator. I hope to continue trimming time off and look forward to my 2nd ever marathon in September (Quad Cities Marathon).” -Jeriod

1. 
   
2. You posted an amazing before and after picture in the Academy chat. Tell us about your transformation, what motivated you to take control of your health and fitness?
   
3. What dietary changes have you made?
   
4. Have long have you been a runner and what races have you done?
   
5. You’ve run a pretty fast half (5th place overall), do you focus on speedwork in your training?
   
6. How many days a week do you run and what cross-training do you do?
   
7. What’s been the hardest part of this transformation?
   
8. How’s the training going for your September marathon?
   
9. Has getting in better shape physically affected other areas of your life?
   
10. What would you tell somebody who is just starting their journey to transforming their health?
    

Good Morning, I was wondering if you would recommend yoga as a good cross training activity while marathon training? -Daniel

Yes, I highly recommend yoga. It’s an awesome compliment to marathon training since it is low impact. Sports injuries are often caused by imbalances. The pain most runners feel is not from the running in and of itself, but from imbalances that running can cause or exacerbate.

I started yoga after getting injured training for my first marathon. It wasn’t love at first sight, but I’ve grown to love it. Yoga is extremely beneficial and the perfect balance to running. While runners may have incredible endurance and powerful legs, they often have tight leg, hip, and upper back muscles.

Yoga can increase flexibility, decrease soreness, speed recovery, increase range of motion, build strength, increase agility, decrease injury, increase flexibility, build lung capacity, endurance, balance, and bring more oxygen and blood to your muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

There are many types of yoga practices from meditative to power yoga. Find one that fits your goals and helps you get in better touch with your body. I attend two yoga sessions each week and often do shorter 30 minute sessions at home to work on certain areas. There are also some great yoga strength poses that are fun and challenging to master.