Ron Williams - "Natural Body Builder of the Decade"

Mr. Ron Williams. I still pinch myself. I can hardly believe that he is my coach.

When I returned home from Mexico last year, I was incredibly weak. I was grateful to be speaking English again, to be able to write and see, and to walk on my own — barely. I knew healing would take time, but I was anxious to get back to the things I love. After only three months home, I signed myself up for adult gymnastics. Reality quickly smacked me in the face: my body was nowhere near ready. When I tried to run, I nearly suffocated — I collapsed, prayed to be able to breathe, and wondered whether I should dial 911.

I met Ron about eight months after Mexico. By then I could finally drink water somewhat normally, without rationing it in tiny sips. Ron picked me out of the group — I was the only woman there — and asked me to demonstrate a push-up. I was horrified when I tried. My body simply would not respond. It was humiliating. Ron laughed and said, "I've never seen that before." I backed away, red-faced, with the tears rising to the surface.

Fast-forward several weeks, and Ron was helping me make small changes to what I ate and when I ate it. Little by little, I gained strength. By the end of twelve weeks, I could do about 26 guy push-ups, plus 50 or more girl push-ups, before collapsing. That may not sound impressive to many people, but I was overwhelmed with gratitude — I had never done that many guy push-ups in my life. So often my body wouldn't obey what my brain was telling it to do, but bit by bit the connection was rebuilt, and I pushed through the discomfort no matter how long it took. Ron pushed all of us to our maximum and beyond. More than once I had to leave the room, certain I was going to throw up or pass out.

Ron is a "no excuses accepted" kind of personal trainer. When he told me he never takes even a bite of dessert — not even when friends press him to have "just a taste" — I committed to do the same. When doctors told him he'd never squat again, he did 800. When a doctor told him he'd never run again, he set out to prove that doctor wrong. After he broke his back, he went on to win bodybuilding championships around the world. Here is a little part of his bio:

"By applying his knowledge of nutrition, fat loss, exercise physiology, muscle development, and body sculpting, Ron achieved the highest honor ever given in Natural Bodybuilding by becoming the sole recipient of the 'Natural Bodybuilder of the Decade' award. Ron has won over 250 titles in the Natural bodybuilding arena, including being a multiple-time winner of each of these top bodybuilding titles — Mr. Natural Universe, Natural Olympia, and Mr. Natural World. Ron was inducted into the International Natural Bodybuilding Association's Hall of Fame in 2008." — www.ironchestmaster.com/about_us

Ron says I remind him of an Olympic athlete he once trained. He has also coached individuals who have won state and national titles. I feel honored that he sees something in me that I can't yet see in myself. He has watched me at my absolute worst — and he wants to be part of my triumph.

When Ron met me, I wasn't only the weakest I had ever been physically — I was also at the lowest point of my life emotionally. My husband and I were separated, living apart. We would drive separate cars to meet Ron and the other business owners in the group to train. Through his coaching, Ron showed us that he lives every part of his life the way he cares for his body — fully, with nothing held back. We knew he was giving us 200% when he called us each week and brought us together to train. As I grew stronger physically, I grew stronger emotionally and spiritually, too. My husband and I both credit Ron with saving our marriage. His faith in God and his faith in us — along with the love and support of his wife, Tonya — made all the difference.

When I came back to the USA, I was diagnosed with Lyme disease. My first appointment was $425, and every visit after that was $325 — no insurance accepted, all out of pocket. When I added up the cost of the IVs, ozone, and oxygen treatments, I realized I had to make a choice: personal training, or medical treatment. At one appointment, the doctor handed me a sheet of names of "herbalists" and told me to research them and apply what they taught. Really? I'm an herbalist. It was the first time in my journey when I felt abandoned not only by the allopathic doctors, but by this allopathic-turned-alternative doctor — the "expert" — as well. I decided that if I needed treatment, I would return to Mexico for it, and that in the meantime I would work with my personal trainer, the very best in the world, as my "treatment."

The road hasn't been perfect. The Herxheimer reactions and the detoxing terrified me. I was so sick those first couple of weeks — until Ron told me to increase my cruciferous vegetables, drink more water, and add minerals to it. The nausea eased tremendously. Whenever my energy crashed during the day, Ron taught me never to eat a carb alone — always to pair a fat, a protein, and a carb at every meal — and to eat every two and a half to three hours.

Long story short: my life is a miracle. When I read friends on our support-group page talk about flying to Germany for $30,000 treatments, or hear about $18,000-a-week or $10,000-a-month protocols, I cringe — not because of the cost, but because of how desperate we all are to be well, and how little life has improved for so many of us. I know I am the exception, at least for now, and I give thanks to God for the miracle.

I am grateful. I know that relapse is common with Lyme, but I am praying with all my heart, might, mind, and strength that I have chosen the right path. I do take my ResultsRNA products, ASEA, digestive enzymes, herbs to support energy and my joints and muscles, and probiotics, and I use essential oils regularly for immune support. I pray this road makes all the difference. Ron and I will be documenting my story as we work together this year. I don't yet have the confidence to tell you what the goals are — but maybe I will, once I can finally see in myself what Ron sees in me.

Find someone who believes in you. I am so grateful for someone who believes in me!

With much love,

Steffi