38 SUCCESS SEPTEMBER 2012 39SEPTEMBER 2012 SUCCESS www.successmagazinesltd.com www.successmagazinesltd.com

Success Magazine: Marj, why did you and Rick choose to form your own company?

Marj Mendez: Rick and I have always owned our own businesses both separately and together. After achieving success on the program myself, dropping from a size 22 to a size 4 and improving my health, Rick utilized the program and experienced equal success. It just seemed that becoming Take Shape For Life certified health coaches and starting Getoptimalhealthnow.com was the natural path for us to take. We each wake up every day knowing that we will give hope to someone hopeless. This program works when you work the program—that means we can change a life, even save a life by sharing this program. We have realized our dreams: a life of personal and financial freedom built on a healthy foundation. There is no better way to earn an income and make a difference in our world at the same time. We are truly blessed.

SM: What is the nature of your company and what products or services do you provide?

Rick Mendez: Take Shape For Life is a whole new approach to well-being that is based on creating optimal health. The transformation starts by taking that first step and choosing to take charge of your health for the long term. Reaching a healthy weight is just the beginning. Unique to our program are three components that provide the foundation and then long-term support that will help you all along the way: a free certified health coach (Marj or myself ), Medifast 5 & 1 Plan, and the Habits of Health System which includes a full bio-network of support including doctors, nurses, and dieticians who can answer

questions and provide professional insights on healthy living. These tools form an effective method of exchanging unhealthy habits for healthy habits.

SM: Why is health so important to you and to our nation?

Marj: As a type II diabetic on medications, I was facing years of medical illnesses and medications. Our country is facing a diabetic/obesity epidemic and our next generation is facing obesity at younger ages than ever before in our history. Take Shape For Life fueled by Medifast is a proven program with National Institute of Health (NIH) studies showing our success. If you had a cure for a disease would you want to share it or keep it to yourself? I want to share the success that I, and hundreds of our clients, have experienced. I am off all my medications and maintaining a healthy weight at a 24 BMI (body mass index). Our mission is to get America healthy.

SM: How can a healthy body, mind, and soul be critical to one’s future?

Marj: People desire to feel better, look better, and have a more positive outlook on life. A transformation starts by taking that first step and choosing to take charge of your health for the long term. Reaching a healthy weight is just the beginning. You’ll soon find the peace of mind that comes from a healthy body, and this can help transform all the areas of your life. Total transformation is the intersection of DO well and BE well. When we talk optimal health we’re speaking of every aspect of your life. Face it—when you lose weight and gain health you feel better and when you feel better, it’s only natural to want

to share that good feeling with everyone around you. When you decide it’s time to pay your success forward, to pass that good feeling on to everyone you meet, you can choose to become a health coach yourself! You can then use that healthy body and healthy mind to improve the health of others and, at the same time, help create a healthy financial situation for yourself.

SM: What is the driving force to help you succeed in business and life?

Rick: The most rewarding thing we’ve ever done is helping others transform their health. We simply had to share this feeling and were inspired to become health coaches/business coaches ourselves! We believe it is our God-given assignment to help create health and well- being by becoming part of this fighting team against obesity here in America. Healthy changes everything!

SM: How can your company provide a future for like-minded individuals who want to go into business for themselves?

Marj: A better living through living better. Make coaching your business. Health coaching is at the core of our program. Our business model is unique, innovative, and serves people. Take Shape For Life is more than a quick fix. It’s about changing habits. Millions of people are looking to create health in their lives. Staying on a healthy path can be difficult, which is why having a certified health coach can be crucial to achieving and sustaining long-term health and weight loss goals. By becoming a Take Shape For Life health coach, you’ll be in business for yourself, not by yourself. You’ll join a group of like-minded individuals with

the common goal of getting America healthy. We are fighting a war against obesity and we need more individuals to join us in the battle.

SM: How has your personal experience with your product and service helped to inspire others? Who can be helped by what you do?

Rick: I have lost over 110 lbs myself and Marj has lost over 125 lbs. But, most importantly, we have kept it off for over four years now. We have stood where so many people stand today and are truly committed to helping others reach their goals. We lead you toward healthy habits and mentor you on the best ways to overcome your health/weight challenges. Support and accountability are the keys to success. Having a certified health coach take this journey with you every step of the way as your cheerleader, guide, and accountability partner, is what made it so successful for us. We know the walk and talk the talk.

SM: Obesity is a major problem in New York State and the United States in general. What percent of our population

is overweight or obese?

Marj: The 2010 Center for Disease Control and Prevention report states that more than one-third of US adults (35.7%) are obese. No state had a prevalence of obesity less than 20% in their 2011 study. New York State showed a 24.5% prevalence of obesity. By 2022 over 80% of America will be overweight. Being overweight is becoming the number one preventable disease.

SM: What would you like people to know about the program?

Rick: Our clients lose up to 2-5 lbs a week with an average of 20 lbs per month. The Medifast foods we utilize are FDA manufactured, inspected, certified gluten-free, certified kosher (OU), and have been utilized by over 20,000 doctors for over thirty years. This is not a fad or new program.

SM: What is the most critical aspect of your life plan to help people?

Marj: Fulfilling our God-given purpose to help others create health and well-being in their lives by paying it forward with this program. Sharing the gift of health is the best gift you can give. We have completely embraced this lifestyle of healthy body, mind, spirit, and healthy finances. We believe God has blessed us with the ability to help create health and well-being by utilizing this program and teaching others healthy habits. People don’t care what you know until they know that you care … that is what we bring to our coaching. We build a personal relationship with each of our clients and guide them to their health goals.

SM: What are your future plans for a successful life?

Rick: Reaching people and changing lives, one person at a time, till the whole world hears!

Marj & Rick MendezTHE MENDEZ TEAM, INC.

Marj and Rick Mendez

National DirectorsCertified Health Coaches

Business Coaches

518-421-9383 Marj / 518-421-8419 Rick

www.getoptimalhealthnow.comgetoptimalhealthnow@gmail.com