Yesterday’s announcement that Jack Lalanne passed away was one of those things that you knew was inevitable however we always feel a shock when the news finally arrives.
I want to describe to you my experience with Mr Lalanne and his lovely wife approximately six years ago when I brought him to Chattanooga to speak, (in conjunction with Memorial Hospital). I have been a devoted fan of Jack Lalanne for decades because his principles of health are very similar to my beliefs and I feel blessed to have had the influence of such an enlightened and wise person throughout my career.
Jack Lalanne, like many devotees of natural health, had a very sickly childhood and learned the rules of natural health. He turned his own health around and this started his lifelong path to super health and fitness and the educating of all of us on these ideas. I watched him with awe instruct the viewers on TV in the 1960’s and I truly believe that something he said in those early years of my life planted a seed of believing strongly that our health is primarily what we choose it to be and that we are not victims based on our genes, bad luck, etc.
He said the decisions we make each and every day about what goes into our bodies and our attitude is the key to long term health. These beliefs are the cornerstone of Nutrition World’s philosophy. Who knows if there would even be a Nutrition World without Mr. Lalanne.
I remember so well when I was scheduled to pick him and his wife up at the airport around mid day. I was quite nervous about the whole thing because I considered Jack Lalanne a true hero and celebrity. However when I saw him and his wife strolling toward me at the Chattanooga airport and he grinned at me with that million dollar smile, I felt totally at ease. Mr. Lalanne had a spark in his eye that I don’t find often in many people, much less those over 50, and he made me feel like his best friend when we talked. Jack Lalanne loved to inspire others to know that their health can be changed despite any obstacles or troubles but it takes discipline and knowledge and he was a prime example.
One of my first questions I asked him as we drove to the motel was about his exercise routine and if he still enjoyed his two hour workouts every single morning. The answer shocked me when he said that many days he absolutely dreads jumping into the pool in the mornings to do laps but he knew it was something that simply had to be done. The quote from him on exercise was, "Yes exercise is the catalyst. That's what makes everything happen: your digestion, your elimination, your sex life, your skin, hair, everything about you depends on circulation."
Jack also truly felt each day of living was a gift to not take for granted and that to make the most of our days we must strive to feel good and be healthy by eating right, exercising, taking nutrients and thinking positive. It is hard to make the most of life if you are unhealthy and feeling bad. Good health does not happen by accident.
The first evening my wife, daughter and myself had dinner with him at Acropolis restaurant and I was so intrigued and interested in what he would order at dinner that I watched and listened to every word. Jack asked the owner of Acropolis to please prepare the same thing he eats almost every single night which is a big salad but it must contain at least 10 different raw vegetables and he asked for a good quality olive oil for the dressing. Secondly he requested a serving of grilled salmon and lastly a glass of good red wine. Jack did not eat dairy products, sugar, fried foods, cokes, red meats, and got all his protein only from two sources, fish and eggs. Every day he consumed fresh vegetable juices and always attempted to get the highest quality foods available. He taught that eating foods everyday with color such as broccoli, carrots, etc. was another key to health.
Jack also knew the importance of clean water. Jack told me about all the vitamins and nutrients he took every day and I believe it numbered over 50 per day, this is one part of his program that was never talked about in the media.
The next day I had the pleasure of introducing Jack Lalanne to a packed crowd at Hamilton Place Mall. I spoke of his ability to educate and inspire anyone on health and his amazing physical abilities. As I invited him onto the stage, I saw him walking toward me but something appeared troubling about Jack. He was barely moving as he shuffled his feet on the ground and was all humped over. I thought instantly that he must be really sick. I remember the whole crowd fell silent as it seemed forever for him to make his way on the stage where I stood. As soon as he got close to me, Jack jumped up like a jack out of the box and started running around the stage like a kid. Everyone laughed and I had a huge sigh of relief. He spoke of really simple things like moving every day to keep the body agile and healthy, eating clean foods the way nature intended us to eat, thinking positive thoughts and how depression and sadness can destroy health as quick as junk foods. I know he must have planted some seeds that day in others just like he did in me 45 years before.
We bid the Lalannes goodbye that day with their invitation to come out and visit them, however I kind of knew I might never see them again. Several months later I received in the mail a huge box that contained a framed picture of Jack with his white German shepherd dog that always appeared with him, a handwritten thank you note to me and my wife and an actual film strip from his TV show from the 1960’s. Jack is a true legend that will live in the hearts of millions for decades to come.
I will have the framed photo on display in the store if you would like to see it over the next 30 days.
Till next time
Ed