Tony DeFrancisco: From Powerlifter to Power Network Marketer and Power Wellness Coach. A followup article By Bruce Malcomb

Bruce: Tony, that interview we did last time was pretty thorough, but I have had some people asking me questions so I would like to follow up with another interview.

One of the questions I got, was how is this shake you promote different from other meal replacement shakes, protein powders and such available in stores?

Tony: I have been taking various protein powders and meal replacements since 1964. They are not all created equal. Many use cheap ingredients. Some are just high protein or high fiber. You want something that contains all of the macro nutrients: Protein, complex carbs, fiber and fatty acids plus the micro nutritients, all of the vitamins and minerals.

Most companies use powdered skim milk and/or isolated soy protein. Then they fill it in with sugars and a lot of junk.

Others use whey protein, which is the preferred choice and what we use BUT if you look at their labels, it says whey protein from concentrate. That means it only contains a small amount of whey protein. It has been reconstituted and mixed with something else besides whey. No doubt something cheaper. So you won't get the same result.

We use whey protein, not from isolate.

Bruce: And what is the benefit of whey as opposed to milk or soy?

Tony: Whey protein is utlilized better in maintaining and building lean tissue. As we discussed last time, lean tissue is very important for appearance. Men look more athletic. Women have more curves. Lean tissue will also burn calories even at rest. And something that many people ignore, our organs are made up of lean tissue. So lean tissue is vital for health.

Another thing, our shake contains complete protein. All 9 essential amino acids. Why is that important? If the protein is not complete, it cannot be utilized by the body. For example, back in my early weightlifting and powerlifting days, before I discovered the diet shakes, all of us were eating tuna fish by the bucket load because it was high protein, low calorie, low fat and low carb. What we didn't know was that tuna fish is also incomplete protein---it does not contain all of the essential amino acids. It ended up going down into the sewers and we didn't get the results we were seeking.

However, mixing tuna fish with a hard boiled egg into a tuna-egg salad made it complete and it worked much better.

Most of the other shakes on the market do NOT contain complete protein. Thus they do not yield the same results our program does.

Bruce: Anything else stand out about your shake as opposed to others?

Tony: In terms of features and ingredients there is much more. What really matters to me though is the results. As I mentioned previously when we spoke last time, many of my clients have tried other powders and shakes and were not satisfied. In fact, many were hesitant to try this product because they automatically assumed it was the same as the others.

But here is what they reported. Faster inch loss. Less hunger pangs. More energy. Felt fuller. A feeling of vitality. No loose flesh hanging around. Also our product tastes delicious. Like Hagen Daaz ice cream. Many shakes tastes chalky. And BTW, ours can be mixed with water. Most you have to mix with milk.

Bruce: What's wrong with milk? I thought that was good for you.

Tony: Many people suffer from lactose intolerance. They can't assimiliate milk. With other programs that I have worked with like that Slender Now program in the 1970s and more recently Herbalife, you had to use milk and some people got a really bad reaction from it. And there is a lot of research to indicate that dairy products are not that good for you.

Also this shake contains digestive enzymes right in the shake to help your body digest and assimiliate it. Many companies don't have this so when some people, perhaps many people who are not used to getting a big shot of quality protein take in a product they have a bad reaction.

Many of the other shakes leave you nauseous. Ours doesn't. It is easy on the stomach.

Our shake also provides 50% of the USRDA of all the essential vitamins and minerals and even trace minerals right in the shake. Other products contain a few or perhaps as high as 35% and then it is the basic ones, not all of them. Here again , our shake comes out way ahead.

Fiber to keep you full and for elimination. Many other products ignore this and that creates problems.

Then there are the essential fatty acids which so many other products leave out. Finally, there is abroad spectrum of herbs and nutracueticals to provide compete and balanced nutrition.

Most people are overfed and under nourished, too many calories, not enough good nutrition. We reverse that by underfeeding with less calories and then over nourishing with good quality nutrients. People then feel satisfied, lose weight and feel great.

Bruce: I have seen your before and after pictures. Amazing. And also so many others that you paste on the internet. These people do look substantially different from most people that I know and see trying to lose weight.

Tony: How would you describe it Bruce? How they look.

Bruce: They look healthy. Fit. Younger. Their hair shines. Skin has a glow to it.

Tony: Exactly. Because they getting not just good, but exceptional nutrition. Less calories. Less fat. More than enough protein to maintain and build lean tissue. This program is different.

Bruce: Is this what you did back in your powerliftng days?

Tony: It was similiar. The protein powder was soy. So not as good. It was a home made program that I designed. It was very low carb. No fiber. I used a lot of supplements like kelp, liquid lecithin, apple cider vinegar, dessicated liver, multiple vitamin/minerals, B-Complex. I was taking so much stuff that my cupboards were loaded with bottles and I needed an extra lunch bag to carry all this stuff.

Bruce: I have to ask you this Tony because so many asked me and your results in weight loss was so remarkable PLUS strength loss was minimal. Did you use steriods?

Tony: HAHAHAHAHA! I knew that question was coming. I have been asked that hundreds of times. Nobody could believe that I did what I did back then. I dropped over 20 lbs in 7 days, lost virtually no strength. I competed in a contest in New Jersey 1 week before and really had to break many personal records to win in the 181 lb class.

Now, one week later, I was at the Germantown A.C. in South Philly competing for the Pennsylvania State championships in the 165 lb class. Everybody warned me to expect a 100 lb minimal drop in my total. Result? I won the state championship breaking the state record deadlift and total that was set at the world championships the year before. The man who set that was Jack Welch (Not the business guy) from Aliquippa, PA. Get this. My total only dropped 25 lbs from the week before when I was 20 lbs heavier and I was still tired and not fully recuperated from the competition less than 1 week before.

Also my performance that day ranked me 2nd in the world in the deadlift, 3rd in the world in the total. And I qualified for the nationals easily.

The following week, I entered yet one more big meet---The Great Lakes Championships in Erie, Pa. In that meet I matched my total at the states and beat Joe Spack who was a Sr. National AAU Champion. I also beat Lamar Gant, Ken McDowell, 2 world champions in their respective weight classes for the best lifter award.

So everyone, especially those who used steriods thought I was on something really out of this world. I told them what I am about to tell you. NO I DID NOT USE STERIODS. These results came from training and the nutritional plan I was on which included real food and lots of supplements.

This program kept me in a high nitrogen balance naturally which is one of the secrets behind steriods. I also used ginseng, which was a new, popular herb at that time. Stimulates hormonal activity in a natural, safe way. That was my 1970s program. But I did not use steriods.

Bruce: That is hard to believe and I am sure others have told you that too. BUT...I do believe you Tony.

Tony: Back in those days I worked in our local hospital. I spoke to several doctors and the pharmacists about steriods. They warned me to stay away. That I could probably get the same results drug free.

Two of the doctors knew my family very well and they knew my dad died from cancer. They warned me, owing to my dad's health history that I may have a lot more latent cancer cells in me that most people and steriods could be catastrophic for me. I wasn't going to risk my health for a trophy. So refused to take them.

Bruce: Do lots of other people ask you about steriods?

Tony: They did back then.

Bruce: Did they believe you?

Tony: Some did. Many didn't. It made no difference to me. However, I did lose two friends who worked out with me back in Berwick, Pa. to steriods. Neither of these guys ever competed. They used them for cosmetic results. And they got them. Both significantly improved their appearance. One died in his forties from cancer leaving a wife and several young children. The other died in his early 50s from a heart attack and also had cancer. When I saw this other guy several years before he died. I hardly recognized him. He was all grey. His skin was wrinkled. His once massive physiqiue was scrawny. It's a shame.

Bruce: Getting back to the diet program, what else does some one do besides just drink shakes?

Tony: Basically you replace 1 or tw meals per day with the shake and then eat a normal third meal. As I mentioned last time, there are a couple of other products that come with the transformation program. There is a energy and metabolism booster. Remember I asked you if you knew why most people have trouble losing weight?

Bruce: Yeah. You said because their metabolism slows down.

Tony: Correct. So this product speeds the metabolism in a natural and gentle way. Back in the 70s we used to use Kelp for this. This product is much more powerful and we have kelp in the powder too.

Then we have a cleanser which cleanses the body out and because it contains fiber, keeps you full too.

Bruce: Yeah you were saying something last time about the villi gets clogged and nutrients can't pass through.

Tony: Yes and most people don't realize that. Even if you are taking high potency supplements and eating good foods, if your villi is clogged, and in most people it is, those nutrients wouldn't get in and be used by the body. So this cleansing product cleanses the villa and the colon too. This is something else that you will NOT find in any other program.

Finally, there is trimbolic, which builds lean tissue, gets rid of cellulite, prevents that loose hanging flesh that is so typical of dieters. Also contains a special type of fiber that absorbs fat from the food you eat. We call this "aerobics in a can" This product helps reshape the body.

And of course, it includes real food, high quality, nutritional foods that fill you up, taste delicious and burn fat, veggies and in particular, thermic veggies which also burn fat, and 100 oz of water per day.

I recommend this book by Lee Causey, "Get Suddenly Slim for a more complete disclosure on the total program.

Bruce: That sounds amazing. But 100 oz of water! Isn't that a bit much?

Tony: Water is an important part of the program. You have to keep yourself hydrated. PLUS water contains important minerals. Diet sodas, tea and coffee and other drinks are not good for you and can inhibit weight loss. They send your blood sugar level into a tailspin. This makes you hungry and blows your diet.

This program also gets rid of candida albacans which is what causes people to crave sweets.

And the company launched a new product since we spoke last. It is a nutrition bar. Packed with protein, low in calories, only 180 calories, 4 grams of sugar and it contains provide both from complete sources, whey and casein and pea protein to supply the all important BCAAs.

THE PROTEIN BAR FOR EVERYBODY

• Meal replacement
• Fuel for your workout
• Healthy snack for all ages
• 15g Protein ● 4g Sugar ● 180 Calories

Bruce: Like shakes and powders, there are other energy/metabolism fat burners, nutrition bars and herbal cleansers available in stores. What makes yours different?

Tony: Great question. First, our products were developed by a team of professionals. We maintain a medical advisory board. There is no guesswork.

Secondly, I have had people tell me that they used other products that they swore were exactly like the ones I promote, maybe even better, cost less and they buy them at a local store.

What I found was quite interesting. When people used these other products which were "exactly the same and cost less" like the meal replacement shakes, they did not get the same results. The energy/metabolism builder was mostly caffeine and left them wired. The cleanser was a laxative with minute amounts of herbs inside and several people said they spent all day in the bathroom. Those things did not happen with our products.

Yes, you can also buy nutrtition bars in stores. Even in departments stores. But what do you get? You get a a low quality product with concentrates, sugar, fillers, cheap ingredients which they sell for as much as $2.50 a bar. Some less. And what you get is somenthing slightly better than a junk candy bar. Even the candy bars, which offer no nutrition, high sugar an lots of chemicals sell for as much as $1.85 a bar.

Our nutrition bar offers complete protein from casein and whey PLUS the hard to get BCAAs from pea protein. BCAAs help in muscle repair when used alone. When combined with a complete protein source, it is even more effective.

The FX Bar is much like the protein shake only in the form of a bar which gives you something to chew. You can eat it on the run. No blender required. Makes for a great meal replacement.

Bruce: So obviously you think these products are better than other products than people can buy for less money?

Tony: Yes. Much better. An example I use many times is Oatmeal. Why do some companies offer oatmeal for as much as $2 a canister less than Quaker oats? Is it the same as Quaker oats? How can these companies compete with Quaker Oats who has been around for much longer and generates millions more in revenues? They can't. The same thing, only cheaper???Hardly. Same with nutritional products.

I have tried the cheaper forms of oatmeal. They don't even compare to Quaker Oats.

When buying products. Go for quality. Disregard price. If it is cheaper, it is cheaper for a reason. You get what you pay for.

Bruce: I know we touched on this before, how about exercise?

Tony: I recommend weight training or some kind of muscle toning exercise 3 times per week and some form of aerobic activity 3 times per week. It could be something as simple as brisk walking, cycling or swimming. If someone is under a doctors care, get permission from your doctor first before undergoing any type of training program.

Bruce: You mentioned people under a doctors care should check before dong the exercise program. How about the DIET PROGRAM?

Tony: I believe the program is save enough for anyone. But just to be on the safe side, check with your doctor.

Bruce: Can people lose weight on this program without exercise?

Tony: Absolutely. But I recommend exercise. You will lose weight faster, Be healthier and live longer. Weight training is the best to tone your body up. Some form of aerobic activity should be done to keep the heart and lungs in check. If due to health issues someone cannot exercise, then they can use the program and still lose weight. The metabolism booster and trimbolic will give them incredible results. About the same as exercise as far as weight/fat loss.

Bruce: What do you say to people who say they can lose weight on their own. They don't need a program?

Tony: First I usually laugh because these are the same people who have been gaining weight for years and keep getting bigger. If it were so easy, why are they still so obese? I also tell them that they can't do it on their own. Trial and error with weight loss is more like trial & terror. Anyone who has tried it on their own knows what I mean.

In over 40 years, I have found only two people who have done it on their own and kept it off. That among hundreds who brag how easy it is but never lose. And even those who did it on their own, could have had better results with Suddenly Slim in my opinion.

I tried all sorts of programs too. Lost 35 lbs. Put 45 lbs back on. Lost 45 lbs. Put 55 lbs back on. Started losing weight at 205. My weight reached 255 lbs before I realized I was losing the fight and I used some good programs.

PLUS the weight I lost many times was not fat, but lean tissue and water. We want to keep muscle for the reasons mentioned before. Lose fat. With this program you Burn Fat. Keep lean tissue and lose only excess water.

Bruce: One other question that I got Tony is that you seem to champion these Network Marketing or MLM companies. Aren't they just illegal pyramid schemes and wasn't Herbalife shut down?

Tony: Good question Bruce and I do get that a lot too. So many people just don't know what they don't know. There are pyramids and there are legal network marketing/mlm programs

How do you know the difference? Pyramids usually do front end loading. They tell you that you have to buy in at a certain level to be a distributor and there is no refund on your inventory. And there are headhunter fees.

Other companies don't even have a product. They are like modern day versions of a chain letter.

Pyramids focus on recruiting and tell you, literally brag that "we are not a retail business This is a wholesale business." And then they wonder why they get shut down by the FTC.

With the COMPANY I am with, there is no big inventory requirement to get started. You can start for under a $100. We push retail. In fact, strongly push it and then get reorders and referrals. Many of those people then want to become part of the business.

Everyone has the same opportunity. Someone can start today and pass everyone else even those who have been in this company for 28 years. You can't do that in a pyramid. In a pyramid you are always under someone. You can never pass them. In a legitimate MLM, you can pass anyone.

And no Herbalife was not shut down. They are still legally operating in over 90 countries. I was with them for a long time and have no issues with them. I just found another company that was even better. Their stock is still trading on the NYSE and doing very well. The activist who started all of that nonsense against Herbalife is not doing so well.

Bruce: Finally, do people really make any money in these MLM companies? I have heard horror stories about those who never make anything.

Tony: Yes they do. It's like anything else, if you work at it. You will get results. The top rep in this company has earned over $14 million in 28 years. The person who introduced me earns over $100k and has been every year since 1990. There are many people who have earned $48,000 in a single month and more.

In my years of doing this I have had some remarkable success as well. Generated over $500,000 in monthly sales. Bought a Lincoln, Mazda RX7. Helped over a thousand clients lose weight and 1,000 more with their financial lives. To me and I know this sounds corny, but my greatest satisfaction is helping people.

Bruce: Then why do you suppose some people fail at this?

Tony: A simple answer would be because they never really tried. Or perhaps they got with the wrong company. I think the biggest reason is fear of failure and fear of rejection. No matter what anyone says, this is sales and we do get rejected. Some people can take it and move on. Others collapse. And many people ignore training necessary to succeed in this industry.

Bruce: How did you overcome it?

Tony: The same as I did with powerlifting. I got off to a slow start in powerlifting and many people, some very close to me were telling me to quit. That I would never make it. I was convinced that I could and moreover I had a strong burning desire to succeed. And succeed I did.

With direct sales/network marketing/mlm it is even tougher because you are facing the intangible---people. So learning sales skills, people skills, products etc is vital. Most people never study these things. They understand going to school and then on to college but do not understand learning this business. And we have more millionaires in network marketing than in any other industry in the world.

Many people who get in quit. Others will reject you and never get in. You just need to move and say NEXT!!!!!!

Bruce: So you see a bright future for MLM ???

Tony: Yes. It will only become bigger and better. Here is why and especially with this company. Even though Lee Causey started the first diet shake back in 1974, there are more people overweight now than ever before. People need these products. The ma rket is larger now than ever before. That is called MARKET POWER. And having been a "Porker" myself I know how frustrating losing weight is. People have tried many programs will nil results. So that is where we come in. And it is not just the products, it is the hand holding and coaching. I have so many people who have told me that they would have quit had I not called them, kept in touch, sent newsletters ezines etc.

And ditto for the marketing. So many have as you stated tried and failed and for the same reason. Wrong company. Bad management. Bad upline. Or they just got frustrated and quit when they heard that first no or when their best friend who they knew would run with this opportunity got in and quit in 2 weeks. It goes on and on.

With our company even someone brand spanking new can earn an easy $1,000 their first month, or much more and just through 2 extra bonuses which is easy to achieve. With most companies it take months to make more than $500.

We have another bonus that pays out up to $3200 a week. Yes a week. And you can earn these very quickly.

Then there are the usual commissions and bonuses with MLM. PLUS residual income like no other company even comes close to.

They have a car program where at a certain easy to achieve level, you can earn a Mercedes paid for by the company.

And there are exotic trips all over the world paid for by the company.

We are facing tough economic times right now. So the timing has never been better for an opportunity like this.

And of course, even though our focus is on weight loss, we also provide wellness products, natural vitamin/mineral supplements, a great sports line. Skin care natural cosmetic line with more to come. WE have something for everybody.

As one of the millions of baby boomers, I know that so many of us want to look good and feel good. Be healthy through our remaining years. And many are concerned about outliving their income. That is where the opportunity comes in.

Business Opportunity Presentation

The Income Opportunity

Bruce: Looks awesome Tony. I wish you the best with this. Perhaps we can do another followup again?

Tony: Sure Bruce. Anytime and Merry Christmas Bruce. BTW, isn't it time you started on these products Bruce?

Bruce: I don't need to lose weight.

Tony: You need good nutrition right? And perhaps energy or to maintain your weight?

Bruce: Ok Tony. We'll talk about it. I would like to try the cleanser for sure and perhaps a few other products.

Tony: Will be my pleasure to serve you Bruce.

For anyone who wants more information on losing weight, wellness, sports supplements, skin care or the business opportunity, contact Tony (407) 761-3055

https://superrfitness.firstfitness.com/index.php