This is the page where I let you know why I am uniquely qualified to teach you about getting healthy and living a healthy lifestyle.

First, let me dispense with the formal education thing.

I got my primary and high school education in Zimbabwe in Africa. I decided to study law at a university in South Africa, but left after one semester absolutely certain that the legal profession was not for me.

My mum wanted me to be a doctor. My dad wanted me to be an accountant. I just wanted to play sport, see the world and “find myself” (yes, I’m an artist and an entrepreneur by nature!)

So I went to a two year college in the United States and graduated with an associate honors degree …in farm management and environmental horticulture!

To this day I know absolutely nothing about farm management (having never actually worked on a farm). Likewise, I had hoped horticulture involved growing plants which appealed to me enormously. Turns out it’s more about the application of noxious chemicals, which offends me deeply.

But that was the 80’s. I’m sure things must have changed since then.

I know I did. I played squash. I learnt how to box. I swam and ran ... and discovered fast foods!

By the time I returned to Zimbabwe in the early 90’s, I could pinch way more than an inch. I joined a rapidly expanding corporate entity. Within a few years I became a partner and by my late 30’s I was Managing Director and part owner of a small import and distribution company within the Group.

Our business did well ... and sadly my corpulent girth reflected this.

By the time I reached my 40’s, my health was failing. I was tired, sore, irritable and depressed.

And worried!

So I resolved to take action and started running and swimming again. And I began reading up about nutrition because I instinctively knew that my consumption habits were the principle cause of my suffering.

What started off as sterile part-time research quickly grew into an all-consuming passion.

By 2006, my girl and I knew we had no future in Zimbabwe and made the decision to leave Africa. It took us some of 2006 and all of 2007 to wind up our affairs. During this time I decided to further my education and began intensive studies to become a personal trainer and movement specialist. I also dabbled in massage therapy which fueled my interest in human anatomy.

By early 2008, I secured basic qualifications with both the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and Body Control Pilates (UK) as well as some certificates of competence in massage.

However, I was under no illusions about the limitations of my technical knowledge or my experience. I wanted to go further, but quickly realized that the nutrition and fitness industries were less about value and more about profit.

I knew I would have to chart my own course and progress through dogged persistence and personal experimentation.

And so I turned to the internet and immersed myself in my search for quality information.

I also discovered my love for writing.

Today I have three blogs and continue learning, testing and experimenting. I run, swim and condition my body and mind daily, living the lifestyle I advocate to the best of my ability.

We live in a truly beautiful part of rural England and each day I pinch myself that I am physically fit, free from illness ... and profoundly happy.

While I have maintained both my personal training and my Pilates mat qualifications, my real interests are taking me far beyond these useful starting points. I am driven by what I am yet to learn.

Lose fat, not hope ©



Don Andrew
Professional Trainer and Movement Specialist



Please consult your physician first before considering any changes in your diet, exercise habits or lifestyle. This book is intended purely for information purposes and should under no circumstances be misconstrued as a substitute for medical advice or an attempt to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure any disease. Always consult your own GP if you’re in any way concerned about your health.