As a cross-country skier, Shaklee Pure Performance Team member Kris Freeman works every muscle group in his body in both aerobic and anaerobic exertion, meaning his cardiovascular system must provide the energy and conditioning for both sprinting and endurance activities. Case in point: In January, Kris, 36, won the 50K Craftsbury Marathon, the largest citizen snow race on the East coast, and for much of the race he was “double-poling” the race, meaning he was primarily using his arms and abdominal core muscles to cover the distance. At the finish line he collapsed into a heap of arms, legs, poles and skis. “That’s how I know I’ve tried my hardest,” quipped Kris.
Several other Shaklee athletes also offered heart health perspectives that can help us all:
Amanda Polk – 2016 Games gold medalist in Rowing
“The heart is the most important muscle of the body! Without a healthy heart, training and performance at an elite level would definitely not be possible. I cook with extra virgin olive oil and make my own salad dressing with it. I also eat a lot of broccoli, spinach, avocados, and drink a lot of milk.”
Amro Elgeziry – 2008, 2012, and 2016 Games in Modern Pentathlon
“I always try to eat healthy food that will help keep my heart healthy and lower the risk of heart disease: high fibers, low fat diet.”
Chloè Dygert — 2016 Games silver medalist in Cycling
“I always stay active and try to eat a well-balanced diet. Heart health is extremely important. Making sure your heart is in tip-top shape makes a huge difference in overall quality of life!”
No matter where we are in our quest for heart health, we can be inspired by Kris’s wisdom: “The heart is a muscle, but of course, it’s also an attitude. We work to build strong bodies but whatever our endeavors, our victories flow from a fighting heart.”
