Are You in Need of a Recharge? For Your Life, Your Performance, Your Leadership? If So... Read On...

It's no secret that when we feel better, we perform better. So, why is it that most of us suffer through life tired, stressed, and exhausted?

To perform at our best, we need to feel our best. But, it takes effort and a willingness to change, which sometimes only comes through suffering. Are you ready for a change?

Maybe now is a perfect time. Maybe you are tired of feeling exhausted or suffering from a chronic health issue. I know exactly how you feel. I was in that same place at one point and I was in need of a change more than I realized. It all started by reading something that changed not only my life, but the lives of everyone in my family and hundreds of other people who have been in similar situations. Maybe this is that moment for you?

Let me share a bit about my experience… I thought I was a “healthy person” because I exercised regularly and maintained a healthy weight. Yes, I was fatigued and lacked energy – but, what person with a deployed spouse and a 2-year old wasn’t?!?!? However, after years of taking steroid nasal sprays and prescription allergy medicine for my allergies and a bout of sinus headaches, my flight doctor recommended I have sinus surgery. Wow. That sounded so drastic to me! I was not about to jump under the knife – I knew I needed to solve my health issues, but surgery was not the right answer for me. At that same time, my husband was reading an OUTSIDE magazine article chronicling a reporter’s journey on a 21-day healthy cleanse - Dr. Alejandro Junger’s CLEAN cleanse. I read the article and bought Dr Junger’s book CLEAN the next day, devouring it overnight. Was this the answer to all of my ailments? For me, it was initially about solving my allergy/sinus problems and avoiding surgery. However, what I discovered was a whole new me; not only could I survive, but I could flourish and thrive...in life, in work, and in my leadership.

The first 2 weeks of the cleanse were really rough for me and I thought I was not going to make it. But, I’m stubborn and pushed through. I was so glad I did and was so excited about the way I felt inside and looked outside. The experience changed me - from the inside out. Now I want to give back and share it with you.

How do you do it? I did it on a budget, with commitment and determination. No crazy supplements, no ridiculous meal plans like only drinking water with cayenne pepper and maple syrup! It's 21-days of whole food eating - there are YES foods and there are NO foods. Smoothies for breakfast, regular whole food lunch, and blended soups for dinner. The most important part is your 12-hour detox window (no eating between your evening soup and morning smoothie!) I crafted my own meals based on real/whole food, increased my focus on exercise that coupled strength and mindfulness (yoga and meditation), and abided by the rules of the CLEAN cleanse. I cheated once – we’re all human – but stuck with it even when I had some pretty intense headaches (allergies, caffeine, and sugar withdrawals) in the beginning. But, if you stick with it, I promise, you will be a new person!!

Some of the benefits I experienced:

Allergies: I had horrible allergies. Since doing the cleanse I have not taken any allergy/sinus medication.

Bloating: We all have a permanent bloat even with all of the crunches. Mine disappeared. You actually can have a flatter belly!

Sleeping: I’ve never slept well. It always took me an hour or two to fall asleep and I would always wake up tired, regardless of how many hours I was in bed. Since doing the cleanse, I fall asleep immediately, I don’t toss and turn. I wake up rested and before my alarm goes off. I’d never done that before!

Alertness/Energy: Without coffee or sugar, I feel alert and awake while in class, at work, or while reading. My head feels clearer and I have more energy... the energy I had as a teenager.

Happy: It may sound corny, but I am generally a more relaxed and happy person! I've even been known to skip in the hallways :)

Physically: My skin is clearer, softer, and the dark circles under my eyes are decreasing. I feel as if my wrinkles are shrinking and the whites of my eyes are brighter. That might be in my head, but either way, it's a win!

Weight loss: I lost 8% of my body weight, almost all in the first week. I upped my snack intake to avoid losing more weight since I started the program at my ideal weight.

Leadership: Little did I know how much food affected my ability to perform as a leader. When I'm exhausted, moody, and distracted I cannot be the leader I need to be. With a clear head, I make better decisions and keep focus, but most importantly I set a good example for those I lead.

When you pay more attention to the foods you eat, you can really see how they make you feel. I figured out what foods make me suffer and what foods help me thrive. Not only that, but the process helped me learn to read labels, research more about our food industry, and understand how food can truly be the medicine we need to fix some of our ailments.

Since my initial CLEAN-based cleanse I found so many people out there in need of a kick start just like I did. Six years ago I began working with my friends and family to help them. To date, I've helped hundreds of people through the program and 99% of those that commit to the process have life-changing experiences. It's hard for anyone to describe it for you. It's a personal experience - aren't you curious about how amazing you could feel?

But, where to start? To assist those that are in need of a change but don't know where to begin, the non-profit organization Healthy Body Healthy Life (501c3 that employs military spouses and local wellness educators to assist military families and veterans to live healthier lives), developed a RECHARGE program – built on the same principles of CLEAN, but with a focus on foods we can buy in the common grocery store. They've also removed all the barriers by creating a RECHARGE cookbook and accompanying quick guide. For a small donation to the charity, you can get a 3-week meal plan, shopping list, and all the recipes to leave you with no excuses.

Whether you’re looking for a little energy pick me up or a natural remedy for chronic ailments (migraines, abdominal/colon problems, mental clarity and/or immune issues) you will want to try HBHL’s RECHARGE. Read more about it here: https://www.healthybodyhealthylife.org/blog/recharge/

When I first read the testimonial in OUTSIDE magazine, I was suffering and in need of a change, and it was the right time for me to be reading about that writer's experience. It was a wake-up call for me to try something... anything... to feel better. I’m hoping this is your RIGHT TIME and RIGHT MOMENT and you’re ready to find the better/happier/healthier version of yourself. What do you have to lose?

All you have to do is commit to changing your eating habits for 21-days. If you want to go back to your old ways, you can! But, it takes about 21-days to start a new habit, and my hope for you is that you will find the best version of yourself during this time and slowly create new healthier habits that you’ll adopt for your lifetime.

First steps: Read Dr Junger’s book – CLEAN, consult with your doctor, check out the resources at www.healthybodyhealthylife.org, and get ready to change your life. The people you work with, the people you lead, expect you to "show up" everyday and perform. Feel better. Perform better.

Note: Healthy Body Healthy Life does a group RECHARGE every February. It's not too late to join them. Their staff will be going through the RECHARGE with you. They are available to ask questions – you’re not alone! Follow them on Facebook for more details.

A version of this blog was also posted on www.healthybodyhealthylife.org

Dr Jannell MacAulay is a leadership and performance specialist. Her work in strategic health and human performance has included the Department of Defense, Department of Justice, and practitioners in the medical field. She is a TEDx speaker, combat veteran, and mother of two.