Testimonial: Four Weeks Later

 Four Weeks Later

Four Weeks Later

I am a 26 year old mother of two children, a one year old, and a toddler of two and a half.  My husband and I moved to the UK in October 2010 when my youngest baby was just a few weeks old and I joined a gym as soon as I could. I did lots of training, from spinning, dancing, swimming to boxing and weight training.  After a year I had lost some weight but it felt like mission impossible to get back into the sort of shape I expected.  

I was really struggling to lose my post-baby tummy even when surviving on an occassional salad leaf and protein shakes!  Trying dozens of diet plans and workout programmes but to no avail.  I started to wonder - am I creating unrealistic pressures to lose the baby weight and get back into those skinny jeans?

I first met Darryl at one of his Primal Bootcamp sessions.  I told him what my current activity level was - which was very high.  To be honest I thought his class would be quite easy.  Big mistake.  I soon realised my fitness levels were really quite poor.  I couldn't do a single squat or press-up correctly, and I would also often give up at the earliest opportunity.  After my first training session my whole body was sore for days and I couldn't understand why after spending one year training in a gym three times a week I still wasn't fit enough to do the most basic movements that were demonstrated by Darryl.

After a few group classes I decided to try one-to-one sessions with Darryl - would his approach to training and nutrition really make a difference?  He started with a health and fitness assessment which involved a series of tests and let me know exactly what my starting point was.  He explained that payment alone wasn't enough, but a commitment to pursue health not just during our sessions but for the rest of the week.  It would have to be on his terms and something jointly agreed.  I was a little sceptical but I had tried everything else.  I decided I had nothing to lose.

I booked a series of sessions and then we formulated a plan setting realistic goals.  I really enjoy and look forward to each session.  It is so different to anything I have done before.  I am always learning and achieving new things.  For example I could never imagine I could do balance walking on a park bench or learning to vault a fence (I'm sure it wasn't a big deal when I was a child).  He has such a unique approach to getting fit, with animal crawls and play-based moves that I'd never experienced in my gym.  Hard work but fun and engaging at the same time.

MOTIVATION

 

What Darryl made me understand is that I can push myself a bit further, that and I didn't need to train for hours and hours until I felt sick or survive on low-fat, low-calorie diets to achieve my goals.

I learnt not to give up at the first obstacle and that nothing bad happens if I push myself to the limit:

"pain is temporary it may last a minute or an hour a day or a year but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If i quit however it lasts forever"

I wrote this in big letters and stuck it to the fridge doors. Darryl sent this to me as a motivational email.

Darryl is a great inspiration and teacher, we talk a lot about health, nutrition as well as being prepared for life's challenges.  I am on my way to recovery.  Stopping my obsessions about weighing myself ten times a day.  Aiming to maintain a healthy body composition rather than a certain amount of kilos.

FOUR WEEKS LATER:

After 4 weeks I was hesitant to take any measurements or photos, in fact I postponed the 4 weekly assessment because I was sure there would be no change.  I am pleased to say I was happy to trust Darryl's judgement.  

The photo above shows the before and after from Day 1 to Day 28.  In terms of the results after 4 weeks.  I've lost 8 cm (3.2 inches) from the waist, 7cm (2.8 inches) from the love handles, 6 cm (2.5 inches) off the hips and I've lost 3% in body fat.  My resting heart rate went down from 67bpm to 54bpm, what progress after a year of no significant changes.

It wasn't easy to agree to post my photo.  But this has given me the encouragement I need to continue, I am happy with my progress so far, but still have work to do.  I feel positive about making these lifestyle changes.  Thanks for your help so far Darryl!

Samanta

Testimonial: From 0 to Several Pull-Ups in 60 Minutes!

Prior to working with Darryl I had no experience in physical fitness with the exception of playing football and training several times a week.  

Darryl's initial physical assessment revealed that I had very little arm strength, poor joint stability as well as a weak back and a host of other issues.  Immediately we set some goals to improve my fitness levels and began a training and nutrition programme.  Darryl's advice included workout nutrition to support my workouts and advice around my eating habits after a review of my 7 day food and drink diary.

After a few weeks I began to notice a significant strength increase and my body began to look much more toned, which was immediately noticed among my friends and family.

This past training session though I hit a real breakthrough.

During my assessment (and indeed at any point of my life so far) I could not do a single pull-up and on this day I again started with several failed attempts. Throughout the training session Darryl continued to push me further and further, using a variety of techniques which he assured me would work in the long run.  Well this long run happened to be fairly short in duration.  With Darryl's encouragement and a concerted effort by the end of the 1 hour session I was able to complete several full pull-ups, something I thought completely impossible upon my initial fails!

It may not seem like much to some, but for me this was a significant achievement and I was pumped for days!  It just goes to show how much can be achieved through mental strength, and perseverence something I had been struggling with.

Giving up early is the easy way out and fortunately Darryl didn't allow it!

Thank you Darryl!!!

--Cort.

Testimonial: The Royal Marines

This is an update from my previous testimonial now I have completed the Royal Marines 4 day selection course (the PRMC).

The course is designed to be extremely arduous both physically and mentally.  The commanding officer stressed that this was the toughest selection process of the last 15 years.  

During the 4 days many of the candidates had expressed how tough the course was and how they had struggled with many of the exercises and tasks which were given to us. However due to the one-on-one training sessions and the expert advice and guidance from Darryl Edwards, there was not one point during the course where I was struggling or found it difficult. To be perfectly honest I found the training sessions with Darryl more difficult than I did the selection tests!

Darryl did not just train me to pass the course, but to exceed the criteria well above expectations. This was even noted by a Royal Marine Instructor on the pull up test.  We had to complete a timed pull up test from a dead hang to chin over bar. Darryl however trained me not to just get my chin over the bar but to get my chest above the bar with control. The PT Instructor passed comment that my pull ups were the best he had seen. Darryl made a point throughout training making the particular test or exercise more challenging therefore when it came to the day I found it straight forward and manageable.

Darryl's programme was designed to prepare me for whatever was thrown at me by the marines.  To combat my fears psychologically and to help maintain focus regardless of the task.  He ensured I got adequate rest, the right nutrition and not to overtrain.  There were times I was not sure I was doing enough or that his unconventional methods would work.  However I am pleased to say I was more than prepared for what the Marines required of me and that I passed with flying colours.

Out of over 5000 applicants, and out of the 55 candidates selected for the 4 day assessment only 23 were successful.

I will continue to train with Darryl until my start date as I am finding the sessions enjoyable, challenging and varied.  I am now in the best shape I have ever been physically and mentally which I want to continue to improve on.

Darryl - I just wish to give a massive thank you for all your training and guidance in getting me to pass the course and with relative ease - I would of found it extremely tough without your help.  I can say without hesitation you really gets results!

Kirk Harris

Testimonial: Kirk and the Green Berets

I’m currently in the selection process for the Royal Marine Commandos.  Initially I began training for the selection tests and the imminent PRMC (Potential Royal Marines Course) on my own. I began to find myself getting bored with my training and I was always training within my comfort zone not seeing any real results being made.  I received a word-of-mouth recommendation about Darryl and his training, checked out his website and decided to get in touch.  The best decision I have made. 

When I first met Darryl we went through a number of physical and medical tests and also discussed my requirements.  Darryl already had a depth of knowledge regarding the PRMC and the demands of the Marines, which filled me with great confidence. I have always believed myself to be a relatively fit man; however Darryl has shown me a completely new aspect to fitness which I was blown away by.  Being prepared for whatever life throws at you.

I have Darryl for two sessions per week on a one-to-one basis.  Every session is unique I never know what to expect, except that I will be challenged and taken to new limits which I could of never of done on my own, and I am achieving goals I never thought possible. 

With not just the physical programming but practical tips on diet, rest and recovery with the psychological/mental preparation Darryl has put me through; I have passed every RM physical selection test first time scoring highly. On one particular test where I scored full marks a serving Royal Marine commando piped up: “Whatever training you’re currently doing, keep doing it because it is doing you wonders!". 

I now have 3 weeks left until PRMC and Darryl already has me exceeding the maximum physical requirements.

So Darryl a big thank you for your motivation, perseverance and dedication looking forward to the remainder of my training.

Kirk Harris