My second chance at life came at 31 years old when a blood clot in my coronary artery resulted in a myocardial infarction. As a healthy, fit triathlete, my heart attack was a surprise to me and everyone who knows me. I knew I had a family history of heart disease, and that put me at risk. I never thought I’d have to worry about it in my early thirties. I also didn’t know heart disease is not only the number one killer of men in the United States, but of women as well. On July 11, 2009, I joined some friends on a 60 mile bike ride. Shortly after we set out, I noticed my fitness level was not normal. I experienced odd issues such as dizziness, indigestion and neck pain. It was during the last 10 miles of the ride that I began to feel pressure in my chest. My friend decided it was time to take me to the hospital when after returning to his house, my symptoms worsened. At first the emergency room doctor tested my gallbladder. When it became obvious that wasn’t the issue, he ran a blood test. When he returned with the results, he explained that the cardiologist had been called in to do a procedure to determine why my heart was in distress. The cardiologist removed the blood clot, and inserted a stent. He told me that if I hadn’t come into the hospital, I wouldn’t have made it to the next day. I feel fortunate that everything fell into place so I could be here today to share my story, and get the message to others who need to understand the risks and warning signs of a heart attack. This experience also led me to re-evaluate my life. I decided it was time to learn how I could play a role in reversing this health crisis of chronic disease we are experiencing as a nation. You may not be able to erase your family history, but you can start to reverse the trend with a healthy lifestyle and habits that can be passed on to your children. I chose to pursue a career in health coaching to help people find their path to better health. I received my training from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, where I was trained in more than one hundred dietary theories and studied a variety of practical lifestyle coaching methods. Drawing on this knowledge, I am dedicated to helping others learn how they can reach their health goals. Visit my website at www.wholeheartedhealthonline.com to learn more and to read my blog.

Blair Severino Age 45 Montville, NJ What called you to do the isagenix cleanse? My cousin Jill encouraged me to try Isagenix. I was always skeptical of "fad" diets, but when she explained the program to me, I was very interested. I also liked the group support concept. I didn't realize this, but it helps me to have accountability in some form to a group, a coach, family, etc. After your first cleanse experience, what maintenance did/do you do to stay with your goals? I continued with the shakes, especially for breakfast. I found them to be very satisfying. I also noticed that after I did the cleanse and strated eating again, my body reacted to certain foods. I listened to my body and discovered that I have to cut back (but not eliminate) wheat, and dairy. I also noticed that if I eat too much sugar I get shaky. I cut down sugar to no more than 5 grams a day. I can satisfy my sweet tooth but still was able to continue to lose weight and feel healthy. I added bikram yoga to my exercise routine for weight loss, flexibility, and further detoxification. How has this experience changed your life? This experience changed my life because when I lost even a few pounds, I notice people react differently around me. This did help boost my confidence. I cook healthier at home and watch all of my food choices. My children have benefitted from this as well. Now we only have healthy food and snacks around the house. What would you tell others who are thinking of doing the cleanse? It really works and makes you feel fantastic. It is a way of living that is very doable and can fit into your everyday life.

Hayley graduated with a B.A. from Brandeis University in 1991 and then with a J.D. from Rutgers School of Law in 1994. After moving from Philadelphia to Los Angeles to practice law, she began competing in triathlon. Her athletic career had started with swimming at the age of 5 and when she began running and cycling in her late twenties, triathlon seemed the natural course. She achieved an elite status in the sport, consistently finishing top 5 in high profile amateur races and championship events. In 1996, in order to balance her body from the impact it received through the sport of triathlon, Hayley began practicing Yoga. She studied for years under Sean Corne, Saul David Ray, Shiva Rae, Max Strom and Bryan Kest. A few years later, while rehabilitating from one of her numerous injuries, Hayley was introduced to Pilates. Pilates had such an incredible impact, strengthening muscles that never had even had a chance to work before due to lack of flexibility or range of motion, the experience became life changing. She decided to quit practicing law and commit to empowering other people to be in control of their own health and well being through this method of training. Hayley began teaching the Pilates Method in Los Angeles in 2000 after acquiring her first certification from the Physical Mind Institute. While living in LA, Hayley operated her own Pilates studio out of Phase IV, an athletic think tank for endurance athletes of all ages. In 2004, she moved to Boulder, CO to complete her second certification at the internationally renowned Pilates Center, a program that consisted of over 1000 hours of apprenticeship to earn the certificate of completion. She continued to study for years under Cara Reeser, Amy Lange, Pat Guyton, Amy Alpers and Rachel Segal, all second generation Pilates teachers who trained directly under Romana Kryzanowska, Ron Fletcher and Kathleen Stanford Grant. Cara continues to be her mentor. Upon completing the program at The Pilates Center, she returned to her Yoga practice and began to study with Richard Freeman at the Yoga Workshop and had completed many of his intensives. She also completed a 200 hour teacher training at Corepower in Boulder. Hayley’s recent birth of her first child has given her a heightened awareness of the anatomical changes a woman’s body goes through both during pregnancy, and postpartum. After taking a Pilates session or Yoga class with Hayley, you will realize the benefits of both practices and how they compliment each other.

Erin Phillips is a phenomenal yoga instruc tor. The delightful and winding road of yoga crossed Erin’s path in 1999 and since then she has explored many different styles. She has been teaching vinyasa since 2006 and is now an Anusara-Inspired licensed teacher and on the path to Anusara certification. Other than being a mother, her passion in life is teaching. Erin believes that no matter what our life story is, we don’t have to live in emotional or physical pain. More than anything else in her life; the knowledge and community of yoga has helped her to get through a sports-induced back injury, immune health trouble, career choices, the suicide of a loved one, and the transition to being a new mother. Yoga taught her to step back and trust, to look inside to feel and understand, and then to embrace her life story as a gift to help others. She says; “through insightful intelligence in the body, mind, and spirit we have the ability to align ourselves”. www.resonate-yoga.com

Wade Imre Morissette has studied yoga for more than seventeen years with many of the world’s most influential yoga teachers, including Baba Hari Das, Sri K Pattabhi Jois, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, T.K.V. Desikachar, and the Krishnamacharya Lineage. Wade, a recording artist with Nutone Music,has released several critically acclaimed albums of yoga-inspired indie rock/pop music including Maha Moha-the Great Delusion, Sargam Scales of Music, and Strong as Diamonds. Wade leads workshops, yoga retreats, and kirtan music evenings in the US and internationally. His retreats and workshops integrate yoga, music and eastern and western personal development techniques that connect students to their own inner bliss. Wade’s book Transformative Yoga: Five Keys to Unlocking Inner Bliss is available on Amazon. For more please visit http://www.wadeimremorissette.com/.

I signed up for the cleanse with excitement for a new challenge, a new journey. That's not to say I wasn't a little bit nervous since I had never done anything like that before. Prior to starting I did a lot of journaling and meditating about my anxiety towards it. I started day one with an open mind and went for it. During the first few days, I had a hard time letting go of old destructive eating habits. I was a snacker. I loved to eat and always have something in my hand. I allowed myself to sit back and watch my behavior. It was amazing how much I was able to get done and accomplish during the cleanse. I didn't have to worry about what I would eat and when I would eat next. I had a plan. I started to feel the muscles that tell me not to eat mindlessly getting stronger. I finally felt like I was living when I woke up each day, instead of waiting to eat. Each morning I would repeat to myself, "eat to live, don't live to eat." My energy levels went sky high. I've never felt better. I was worried I wouldn't have enough energy to work out since I am a regular gym-goer. The shakes not only taste delicious, but they have enough substance to satisfy my need for texture in my mouth. They also gave me enough energy to power through the day. And, the snacks! I really loved those snacks! Liquid days were hard. I definitely had to give myself some space on those days. I tried to keep busy on those days, rest, and schedule things that were pleasurable and nourishing for my body. Pedicures were great for liquid days. Toward the end of each liquid days, I got a little impatient and asked, "Why am I doing this again?" I powered through those two days, sometimes with a spoonful of almond butter to get me through that mid-afternoon struggle. Yes, the cleanse was difficult, but one of the best challenges I ever put myself through. It really opened my eyes to something new and now I cleanse 2 days each month to reset and check in with my eating habits. It works for me and feels great in my body.

Laurie is a newly retired professional ballet dancer. She danced professionally for 9 years and it was while located and working in Colorado that Laurie was first drawn deeper into the practice of yoga. When Laurie first discovered yoga she was drawn to the physical asana, workout aspect of the practice, however it wasn’t until this point in her life that she became enamored by the detoxifying and healing properties and health and wellness aspects of the practice. Yoga became a sanctuary from the all too competitive and body obsessed world of dance. Eating disorders, low self esteem and extremely bad habits such as smoking are not at all uncommon under the pressures of the dance world. Dance seemed to be all about aesthetic and the way a dancer’s body looked, and the measures taken to get there were often overlooked and ignored. It was through yoga that Laurie finally began to focus on health and wellness and not just what she felt looked back at her in the mirror. Under the guidance of Angela Laurie has realized that beautiful results are possible without the extremes she once felt were necessary. But most importantly, she feels that yoga and cleansing has helped gain balance in her perception and prioritize what is really important in her life. Laurie completed her yoga teacher training and the first of many cleanse and detox programs under the guidance of Angela in 2007. She is currently a certified yoga instructor and is attending the Institute of Integrative Nutrition to become a certified Holistic Health/Wellness coach. She is also temporarily living in Lubbock, TX for the year, while her husband is deployed in Afghanistan, attending Texas Tech University working towards a Nutrition/Dietetics Degree to become a registered dietitian. Her dream goal is to one day open a family wellness center with her sister, who is a registered dietitian, and her brother, who is an exercise/sports science major. She has two lovely dogs who resemble an Ewok and a fruit bat, named Ernie and Ed. Read Laurie's blog at www.laurielacour.com. Check out Laurie's health coaching website at www.goddesshealthandwellness.com