Hi, my name is Russ Marchewka. I am a professional beach volleyball player and a huge health, nutrition and green living advocate. I played sports growing up and ate the typical Western diet high in fat, meat, salt and refined foods. My quest to learn about health and nutrition started in college when I was fed up with my acne and getting sick all the time. I had issues since my teenage years and tried every kind of remedy available with no success. I then bought a “secret” cure manual online and read that my health and acne were directly related to what kind of foods I ate. This was different from anything I had ever been told. This program called for a COMPLETE lifestyle change that I was not ready to make back then, but I did try to implement a few things. Amazingly, just changing a few things dramatically improved my acne. I’ve been hooked ever since 2004. It has been a long journey since I began.
I’ve read dozens and dozens of books on health and nutrition, spent (literally) thousands of hours online reading articles, studies and various research about all things health and nutrition. The more I learned how to take care of my body, the more apparent it became that the health of the planet was directly related to people’s consumption habits. I never get sick anymore but I caught the “green bug” and I love helping spread ideas about going green and being better stewards to the planet.
In October 2009 after a lot of debating, I was finally convinced to make a final change that was alluding me for some time. I became a vegan. I’m trying to popularize the term “mostly vegan” because that is what characterizes me best. I eat an organic, plant-based diet and supplement with various superfoods and fish oil (hence the “mostly” vegan). I am not a big meat eater but once or twice a year I will get some (fish) sushi because I am a sucker for a free meal and none of my volleyball sponsors are vegans!
The more I learn about the body and its processes, the more confident I become in the goal I have set for myself: to live until I am 150 years old. I believe that if I take care of my body by feeding it the right foods, and supplement with high quality products that I can live well into the next century. Of course living to 150 means nothing if machines are keeping me alive or I am in a bed all day. The human body is designed for longevity and health and that’s what I study on a daily basis. Keep your blood clean, your liver strong and your attitude positive and the sky is the limit in this life!
I have chosen (at least for the time being) to not pursue credentials. I am not a licensed nutritionist or certified trainer, however I believe what makes those titles is the time, desire and money to get them. I feel like I can know just as much about health, nutrition and physical training by studying on my own, talking with professionals and keeping current on what’s happening in the industry. In other words, the opinions expressed on The Body Blog are my own that I have developed in 28 years of life and 7 years of intense studying. I welcome all opinions, feedback and suggestions. I want to make this the best place to come learn and share about health nutrition and green living. Here is my mission statement. With your support and participation I know it can happen. Thanks for reading and I hope to hear from you soon!
I would be remiss if I didn’t request that you learn about and support the sponsors. They are all companies with corporate charters in line with the views here on The Body Blog.
You can follow us on Twitter join our Health and Wellness Education group or connect with ME on Facebook.
Posted by Kevin & Amy Jo on May 22, 2010 at 9:40 am
Hi Russ!
Love the blog! We are also Health and Nutrition nuts and love meeting others that are “in the know”. It seems that a large portion of the world’s population has no idea how to be well or even have a desire to learn. It is a breath of fresh air to meet someone else who is just as passionate as we are!
Blessings to you and your work!
Kevin and Amy Jo
Posted by Redge Bendheim on July 11, 2010 at 5:35 pm
Russ,
This all seems really informative and way different from the crap I have been fed for a long time. I worked at a GNC during college and I don’t believe half of the things supplement companies advertise. I have a question for you. It seems that a lot of social activities revolve around food, unhealthy food. Ex: go to the movies – popcorn and soda, go to the beach – s’mores, go to a party – cake, etc etc. (1) how do you not cave into the social pressure and (2) how do you not put others off by your lack of involvement in food indulgences?
Awesome Site,
Redge
Posted by Russ Marchewka on July 12, 2010 at 10:17 am
That’s our goal, to be different! I hope that my slant on things can give people a real view into the crazy world of health, nutrition and green living. I try not to deceive people into thinking change is easy. I made a lot of “simple” changes that weren’t easy. There are a couple different ways to approach social situations. I think splurging every once in awhile is good for the soul. However, for example eat a healthy meal before you go to the movies. You’ll be full and in no need of candy or bad snacks. Same thing, eat before you go to a party and that way you aren’t as tempted to fill up on unhealthy food. Your friends may scoff at your decision to make healthier choices at first, but deep down they really want the best for you and as long as you stick to your guns, then they won’t have a reason to doubt you very long and it becomes a moot point. I had a previous blog I wrote on the subject, but I didn’t find it on an initial search. If I come across it, I will send it your way.
Posted by Raydene on September 20, 2010 at 9:51 pm
Hi! I have recently found your blog through following you on Twitter. However, I hadn’t made it over to your blog to read it. Today, I have read a bit and really enjoy all of the information you are giving. I also used to eat the Western American way…. however, I am also a health nut and have changed my ways of eating. I am now a newbie vegetarian, and am trying to move towards becoming vegan. (I am in Korea right now, so am finding it difficult to do so.)
However, I noticed that you also dealt with acne. I have tried SOOOO many things for acne and the only thing that seemed to work was an oral prescription medication. I no longer take it; however, and am not sure how to deal with the acne. I am 26 years old, and have been trying to figure it out for awhile. I now use an Olive Oil facial cleanser, which has been helping but doesn’t help the underlying issue as a whole. Do you have any suggestions?
I’m a very athletic female (since I was around 10… volleyball, running, weight training, softball, etc.) and sweat like crazy. I also have very oily skin. If you have any tips, I’m all ears.
Thanks!
Raydene
Posted by Russ Marchewka on September 20, 2010 at 11:29 pm
Awesome! Yea, I was not on Twitter for the longest time, and now that I am, I have no idea why it took me so long! Anyway, about the acne, I feel your pain. I dealt with it from age 13-23. Let me tell you, it was a long process. While it’s a complicated issue, I can tell you a few things that I found to be true for me. ALWAYS keep in mind, clean your blood, strengthen your liver ok? Clean blood, strong liver. Acne from my research and personal experimentation is the result of eating too many foods that cause an overload of hormones that your liver can’t process. It is not the result of “not washing your face, or washing with the wrong soap.”
I highly advise that you cut out any products from a cow as those contain a lot of hard to digest proteins and hormones that won’t do your body any good. Also great to balance your hormones are fish oil, a good super greens supplement and sometimes maca works wonders. Do you have a little bit of a budget to experiment a little? I can definitely tell you that you’ll save money by cutting out the dairy products. Keep in touch and let me know.
Oh PS. there is something you can research online while you’re making changes. It sounds weird, but if you’re like me you probably have a weaker than average liver (if you have acne) and there is something you can do to help clean it. Admittedly, I have not done this yet EVEN THOUGH I WILL in the near future. It’s called a coffee enema. Look it up online and I have researched and you can buy an “enema bucket.”
Posted by Raydene on September 21, 2010 at 1:18 am
Thanks for getting back so fast! Yeah, I didn’t mess much with Twitter either but thought I’d pick it back up again. Glad you’re back on!
I don’t eat yogurt (def miss it) and I already mentioned the milk I drink, don’t use butter, etc. However, I am a sucker for pancakes and am guilty of buying these packages in Korea to make pancakes (yes, this habit that is forming sucks!!!)
I haven’t eaten any meat from cows since high school. I drink soy milk now, and almond milk when I was in the states (and when I go back after Korea.)
So how do i know what foods my liver cannot process? I am really going to have to research this now.
I will have a little bit of a budget I can experiment with when I get paid on Friday
Will definitely research the whole enema thing.
PS I really like how you’re so down to earth. Appreciate it!
Posted by Raydene on September 21, 2010 at 2:27 am
I forgot to ask…. what do you think of chia seeds? I am following a blog of a girl here in SK who is vegan and she recommended chia seeds instead of flax seeds. I’ve been using them for about a month now, and they are ok (haven’t noticed any differences in anything.) I see that you use hemp seeds. So was curious.
Posted by Russ Marchewka on September 21, 2010 at 9:45 am
One last tip. Think about this. You want to eat foods that will not spike your blood sugar (high fiber) low fiber foods that are high in carbs (pancakes, noodles, cereal) cause insulin spikes. Insulin is a hormone too so if your body is producing more of it than your liver can handle, that’s an initial hurdle. Focus on more green vegetables to replace the nutrient(less) low fiber, high carb foods ok? Good luck and keep in touch with your progress!