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Success comes in many forms. It is often defined as financial or career advancements.  Another definition of success is overcoming difficult situations, circumstances or obstacles. I also believe one of the most powerful moments that define “Success” is when you ask for help or support and have a profound connection with another individual.  

Similarly, the definition of “health” comes in many forms. Optimal health is different for everyone. Optimal health for Lance Armstrong is very different than optimal health for me. Our success story for the road to optimal health has a completely different definition. 

Eleanor McKenzie is a shining example of optimal health and a successful journey. She has overcome many obstacles during her journey to health and epitomizes the strength and courage that so many of us strive for.   

When I heard Eleanor’s story I was amazed at how she has been continually challenged and has defeated so many of the health issues that have been thrown her way.  Eleanor had always thought herself as disciplined in her earlier years about food and diet, and she competed in Ballroom Dancing for over 15 years. However Eleanor had fallen into the trap of “yo-yo” dieting, she has struggled with being over weight since her early teens. Her typical weight loss goals included losing 70 - 90 lbs which she accomplished several times. Unfortunately she fell prey to the after-effects of those fad diets. She would lose weight, but after she reached her goal and “go back to normal life,” she put on the lost pounds plus a few more. The vicious cycle continued; she would try another diet to lose what she had gained, have some success and then the relapse.  So needless to say, after 20 years of putting her body through that process, she knew she had finally reached a critical point and had to stop the cycle. She had reached the weight of 366 lbs., and her body was falling apart with continuous injuries. Walking was a challenge; she had developed heart problems, and was diagnosed with cancer. Eleanor needed a change. 

Her “A HA Moment” occurred when her doctor stated that she was killing herself because of her dieting habits and she needed to stop. She knew that her metabolism had been severely compromised and she decided she needed help. Eleanor joined a gym and found well educated and seasoned trainer Izaak Tyrrell who took Eleanor under his wing and has been a guiding force in her recovery and success ever since. Their friendship is stronger today because of the strength, discipline and close relationship they formed during her recovery.   

Eleanor shared one of her most precious moments; she had fallen to the floor during her first training session, and although he helped her, Izaak immediately corrected the way that she got back on her feet. She said, “It was so wonderful to have someone actually show me something without feeling sorry for me, and help without condescension. From that point on, I have loved and trusted him implicitly and think he is my guardian angel and God Send! It was such a relief to have someone so knowledgeable take such an interest in my struggle and build up my confidence so I wasn’t living in fear all the time.”   

During this past 2 years many life changes have occurred for Eleanor.  The doctors are amazed at her incredible recovery with the cancer; she has lost 70 lbs, has successfully kept the weight off for almost two years without yo-yo or fad diets, and she has not fallen once!   

She contributes her success to prayer, awareness and education regarding nutrition, her trainer, her workouts, and accepting the love and support of the people around her. 

Eleanor needed a change and invested in her health. She made the time, she went to professionals. When she first started she could barely walk, now she walks on an inline trainer at a 30% grade and does boxing with her trainer (she hits, he blocks). Eleanor also danced all night at Izaak’s wedding last September, an inspiration to those that are far from her age of 70.   

At 70 Eleanor is an example of optimum health and success.