Just What the Doctor Ordered—Dr. Jeffry Life's Story

by Katherine Callan

In the early days of his medical practice, Dr. Jeff Life didn't have any sort of a role model when it came to healthy living. In med school, his two hours of nutritional training (that's not a misprint!) focused on specialized nutrition plans for hospital patients. He followed the conventional medical wisdom on nutrition, which prescribed a low-fat, high-carbohydrate, and relatively low-protein plan. For exercise, he enjoyed occasional swimming. Though aerobically in okay shape, he couldn't get rid of the spare tire around his waist or achieve consistent energy levels. Just over two years ago, Life found the role models he was looking for-inspired by Bill Phillips' words and the photos of the Challenge Champions as well as the scientific research in Muscle Media, he decided to try the Body-for-LIFE Program himself.

At age 59, he accepted the Challenge and reduced his body fat from 25% to 8.5%, earning him Champion status in the Prime The (55+) category. For the first time in his life, his body was strong and lean, and his energy was abundant! He'd pretty much stopped exercising and was snacking excessively on sweets. His weight was at an all-time high of 200 lbs. "I was depressed, and I had no energy to devote to my practice," says life. "My self-esteem was never lower." Right about that time, a patient left a copy of Muscle Media in the examining room, and Life started reading it. Intrigued by the training and nutrition information, Life decided to subscribe. When his first issue arrived with the results of the 1997 Challenge, "I looked at the pictures and thought that there was no way these people could have done this," says life. "But I kept looking at the Champions and reading their stories. The more I looked into it, the more I began to believe." The story of 47 -year-old Porter Freeman stood out in particular. "Even though Porter's about ten years younger than I am, his mental and physical transformation really hit home," says Life. "I realized it all boiled down to taking that first step, like he did. That first step was simply deciding to make a change." With the encouragement of his then girlfriend (now wife) Annie, Life did just that.Following in Porter's footsteps required a leap of faith. It meant going against the grain of mainstream medical thinking, particularly in the area of performance nutrition. "Many doctors don't know much about nutrition," says Life. "Western medical training is often more about curing symptoms than aggressively promoting health. I decided to put my doubts aside and keep an open mind. I said to myself, 'I'm going to do exactly what these Champions did.'" At work, every morning Life would carry in his cooler full of food. "I guess the people at my office thought I was acting a little strange," he chuckles. "At certain times of the day, I would stop whatever I was doing to get the blender going for my Myoplex shake. Of course, the real surprise came when I finished the Challenge and showed them my before and after pictures. They really couldn't believe it." His first time walking into a gym was less than inspiring. "The other gym members started calling me 'the Old Man,"' says Life. "They joked that I must have gotten lost looking for The Manor-that's the big nursing home in town." Undaunted, life kept showing up, six mornings a week, lifting weights, running on the treadmill, taking spinning classes. His physical changes caught the attention of other members. "When I began to make gains, the whole thing turned around. I had guys in their 20's and 30's asking me for tips. They wanted to know what exercises I was doing, what I was eating, what supplements I was taking."

Life began to notice distinct improvements in his energy levels and general attitude. A big part of that, he now feels, has to do with his improved eating habits. As a doctor, he was aware of the health complications associated with eating too much fat. Beyond that, he knew little about nutrition-and what he did know, he didn't always put into practice. "Sweets were almost an addiction for me",  Life shares. "I think that made me feel tired a lot. When I gave up sweets and began eating six protein- and carbohydrate-balanced meals a day, my energy levels started to soar."  And as a doctor with a busy and often unpredictable schedule, Life calls performance-nutrition shakes his "salvation". "To eat properly, I have to have food on hand." he says. "The Myoplex shakes really help because they provide a high-quality, balanced meal in a matter of seconds."

In addition to crafting his body and boosting his energy, Life dramatically improved his overall health. Prior to the Challenge, his cholesterol was 248. "In the medical profession, we don't like to see it over 180 or 200,n he notes. His LDL (that's the bad cholesterol) was a dangerous 176. And according to his blood sugar of 131, he was in the borderline diabetic range. "Blood glucose above 126 shows glucose intolerance or possibly early diabetes," explains Life. "It can be the result of genetics or, in my case, being overweight and making poor food choices." Now Life's blood sugar is back in the normal range, his total cholesterol has dropped to 157 and his LDL to 82. "1 believe achieving a 115% drop in my bad cholesterol is better than I could have done with any cholesterol-reducing drug on the market." he says. Life also has the energy to address long-held interests that, in the past, he didn't seem to have time for. "I've developed a tremendous curiosity about nutrition and supplementation."  he says. "1 attended a physicians-only conference on anti-aging medicine-a brand-new discipline that is completely different from the traditional study of medicine for the aging population." In August of 1998, Life took the exams and became a diplomat of the American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine. Now, in addition to running his family medical practice, he's an assistant professor at Marywood University, teaching graduate courses on vitamins and minerals, exercise physiology, and energy metabolism. 

Life, who recently also became a grandfather, married his girlfriend Annie, and together they raise her young children. "If I had tried being a full-time student and doing all this while maintaining my practice before I changed my lifestyle when I accepted the Challenge, I would have failed," he says. "1 would not have had the energy, the ambition, or the drive. Now I do it all, and I do it relatively easily." He's even repaired his relationship with his daughter, Jill. Slowly, patiently, he won back her respect after his painful divorce. "She really didn't want to have much to do with me at all," Life says. "Then, one day, she showed a little interest in my progress in the Challenge. I seized that opportunity and began sharing the plan I was following with her. One thing led to another, and pretty soon she was coming with me to the gym. Then she began staying with me from time to time. We'd have long talks in the car on the 40-minute drive to the gym about boyfriends, careers, everything-we truly rebuilt our relationship from the ground up." Under her dad's tutelage, Jill lost fat and gained several pounds of muscle. And Life's relationship with his son has improved as well. Life is committed to his new lifestyle, well, forever. "My next goal is to get my weight up to 190lbs [he's at 183] and still maintain a single-digit body fat percentage." He wants to continue to be a role model for others both in his appearance and in his behavior. "It's hard for me to believe that the person in my before picture is me," Life shares. "1 feel different. I look different. But it's so much more than that. My daughter and I are close again. I'm with a woman who loves me, and I'm a better doctor than ever before. I really feel like I can make a positive impact on others. Sharing this lifestyle and its health benefits is what's most important for me now."