Crystal O’Keefe: Welcome to the MetPro Method Podcast. I’m your host, Crystal O’Keefe, and today I’m joined by MetPro client, Rob Dennison, and we are going to be hearing all about Rob’s journey today. Rob, thank you so much for being here. I was hoping we could start with just hearing a little bit about yourself and how you came to find MetPro.
Rob Dennison: Yeah. But first of all, thanks for having me on. I’m excited to share, my background and experience and hope that it will benefit some others. Absolutely. I guess one place to start is, I hit, a big milestone this year and I turned 60 with that, I, a lot of things going on.
For the majority of my life, I was a super, super athletic kind of guy. I played five sports all the way through high school. I played two sports in college. After college, for about 15 years, I raced pretty competitively, triathlons and IRONMANs.
I’ve done marathons and so pretty much abused my body as much as you can. And along the way despite all that physical activity nutritionally, I’m. I’m happy or not ashamed to say I was a complete mess and that I had no idea, how to nourish my body, take care of my body.
It was more of train, train hard, eat whatever you want, whenever you want, and your weight will, maintain itself. And so that worked really, that formula worked really well I’d say up through my 20s. Okay. And then career kicked in got super focused in, in building, building my career, working 10, 12 hours a day, every day was, pretty much the norm.
Continued to try to work out, but it was always an afterthought. And even more of an afterthought was, my nutrition. And as a result, from thirties to forties to fifties, I put on a lot of weight. So at my peak I, and I’m, six foot three. I’d gotten up to about 260 pounds. Okay. Great. So I’m a big guy the distributed pretty well.
So a lot of people would say, wow you look, I could go up 10 or 20 pounds and you wouldn’t notice. But I noticed. Yeah. But then here’s the big the big turning point in my, journey. So five years ago, I actually suffered cardiac arrest. Oh. So in addition to not just a heart attack, I was actually dead.
for 10 minutes. Holy cow. And so I’m one of the lucky ones. Less than 10 percent of people that go through that survive. And so I was super grateful that I’m, they were able to bring me back. I have two stints in my heart. So what I had was, coronary artery disease had a 93 percent blockage in my left anterior descending artery, which is the “widowmaker.”
And, and prior to that, no family history, no, no reason why this happened. Yes. My weight was a little bit over. That was not overwhelmingly the factor that the medical team, could shine on the situation. It was basically, we don’t know why this happened.
Crystal O’Keefe: So out of curiosity were you the type of person I, would assume either way it might be a different answer now, but were you the type of person that went to your yearly examinations and had the workup done every year or no?
Rob Dennison: No. I never had any, symptoms, never any issues, probably hadn’t been to a doctor in 5 or 10 years. Nothing other than orthopedic issues as a relating to all my activity.
Crystal O’Keefe: And you felt, good. So there was no need for you to go?
Rob Dennison: That event, as you can imagine, was like I said life-changing. As part of that process physically I recovered very quickly. Mentally, not so quick. I had cardiac depression and actually was diagnosed with PTSD. And that only exasperated my, kind of weight situation in that I continued to put on the weight. Now what also came along with that is I was starting to have orthopedic issues.
Crystal O’Keefe: And that was related to the weight gain?
Rob Dennison: Actually, two years ago I had a total left knee replacement And then after that, if that wasn’t enough to take me out of put me out of order for a little bit, I actually had my right ankle reconstructed. And you can imagine from my body was just in a state of just mess. I the frustration level, the what am I doing, was, at an all time high in terms of I, I was desperate.
I was looking something has got to change. And so now’s the good part. So that’s the, that’s a background of how I got here. So I. just decided and it was really taking a look in the mirror going, “Who is this guy?” Not only from appearance, but how I felt, how my body felt.
And I, just said, I’ve got to make a change. And now’s the time, and it was a very humbling experience to, to recognize that you don’t recognize who you’re looking at. And so I embarked on the journey. And part of that journey was seeking out: how can I get this weight under control?
And I’m sure you’re familiar with Noom. I might’ve seen an ad for it. I enrolled, What was interesting about it, and also very humbling, is my first interaction with the people there. And you actually talk to a nurse practitioner every month or so.
And on my first conversation, she–and I’ll never forget this–she said: “Hey, are you interested in this new weight loss drug? I think your insurance will cover it. It typically covers it for obese people like yourself.”
And I was like, Oh my God, why don’t you just take a knife and put it through me?
It hit me hard. I thought: Wow, I’m considered obese. And that was I wanted to say, do you understand I’ve done IRONMANs and I’ve competed at a high level in sports? How dare you call me that? It’s very humbling. And so, I didn’t go that route in terms of a drug.
I was like, I’ve got to fix this organically. And I embraced the whole new concept. It was fantastic for me in the sense that I started to, renew my relationship with food. And it, it was no longer the afterthought: grab something on the go… just get something in my body to, make me feel better.
It was more about how does this whole nutrition thing really, work? And so I I went full in with the program. I had pretty good success over several months, my weight went down and, really on a pretty consistent trajectory down. I didn’t have the peak the ups and downs that I thought I would have.
I was pretty much on decline. And then after a few months. I hit the plateau, the wall, the whatever you want to call it, big time! And what that resulted was, or the result of that was, I couldn’t lose, I couldn’t lose any weight for a two or three month period. So frustrating.
What I recognized, at the time and–now in hindsight–is I completely trashed my metabolism. I had hijacked it to a point where it came to a big ol’ stop. And that was such a frustrating experience having committed to this program and I’m what now? I did everything. I followed the plan. I’ve had results, but it’s not the results that I want.
Fortunately, I found MetPro. I was actually referred to someone that said: “Hey, I did this a while back and, talked about the program.” And initially I I was like, yeah, it sounds good. But is this, new version too? I’ve just been through all this.
Once I talked to one of your folks, he really explained the approach. And I was like, you know what, let’s do it. And so that to me was the, it was the second game changer for me was saying, okay, I’m going to really commit to this.
And, and that’s what I did. And yeah, that’s how that’s so that’s how I got to MetPro. Hopefully that’s helpful.
Crystal O’Keefe: I’m curious what you heard about the program that you said in your mind, this would be a good fit for me, this is something I can commit to.
Rob Dennison: That’s a great question. I think what resonated to me was the individualized approach. And really taking my body and my profile and helping me achieve my goals–not the preset same formula for everybody. That was always something that I questioned as I was going through part of the journey.
I Still maintain a high level of activity, but it’s like I can’t do it on 1,500 calories a day. I had zero energy, hungry, grumpy, not working right–this deprivation plan that led me to some of the weight loss. It’s like I can’t do that. And as and as I know now, having gone through the program, that is not the MetPro method by any means. And that to me is what resonated like: OK, so I’m I’m going to be allowed to eat, right?
Crystal O’Keefe: I bet. That was probably a big question you had am I going to, am I going to have energy? Am I going to be able to still do the activity I was doing and, things like that?
Rob Dennison: And then the other biggest part of it is, having done the previous on my own, I realized that I needed help. I needed someone to guide me from where I was through the process, and that’s where Coach Amber’s come in having that personalized approach. I’m forever grateful for the experience, and I keep using the word game-changer, but truly… that individualized, constant feedback has been fantastic.
Crystal O’Keefe: I’m, curious what you thought in your mind working with a coach would be like versus what it has been like.
Rob Dennison: Initially, absolutely skeptical. Sure. Oh, here we go again…. here’s the canned approach… here’s our 10 minute check-in of: “how are you feeling, did you eat this? You need to eat more.”
In my mind, I was thinking: this is how it’s going to be? Fortunately. Nothing like that!
I think the relationship has gone from getting to know each other to, talking about life, so there’s part psychology, psychologist, friend, and educator.
That to me has been the most, amazing part of the interaction is just the, education part of it. And helping me debunk some of the myths around nutrition and weight loss and that I’ve been so conditioned and maybe a little bit jaded. Is helping me work through all that and understanding and, just being a fantastic resource where I look forward to our check-ins.
That accountability for a guy like me, well I need that. I need for someone to say: “Hey let’s take a look at this.” One of the great things about working with Amber, I was, I’ve been on the program for a while and, I was starting to have that wandering. Gosh I feel like I want to eat. I want to go off the plans and she’s we had a weekend.
She said: “All right, here’s the deal. Go eat whatever you want. Go for it. If it’s pizza I’m not going to tell you how much, but go, just go do it.” And I was like, yeah, wow, you’re giving me permission. And so I’m like, all right, I’m going to take you up on it.
And so I I went and had my chips and salsa, maybe a margarita or two, and it was did I enjoy it? Absolutely. Was I ready to get back on track? Absolutely. And so I think that dynamic and creating that, as, viable options as a part of the overall plan, has been great.
Never once have I really felt that deprivation I can only eat, these three vegetables and it’s that’s, that to me is not MetPro at all. Which is good.
Crystal O’Keefe: Yeah, and it sounds like you’ve had a lot of success how much have you lost in total you and you can break it up Noom to now? And how much just with MetPro?
Rob Dennison: So I’m I’m down about 65 pounds And it was about 30 with Noom and the remainder with MetPro.
Even as I say it, I get goosebumps. Wow. that’s insane for me to say I’m down 65 pounds, but I’m encouraged by it.
Having that weight off has been so much more than just the weight on my joints. I’m moving way better, faster, and quicker. I mentioned all the sports that I played in the past. In between the heart attack and the surgeries, I’ve become an avid pickleball player. I’m at a pretty good level–three or four times a week, at a minimum.
My energy level is off the charts. Just the overall feeling, you know? I can tell that my body’s not inflamed like it used to be. The other thing is, you know I was on medication for the heart event? I basically have gone off those. Oh, and by the way, I wear jeans that I wore in college.
Crystal O’Keefe: That’s, pretty exciting.
Rob Dennison: Let’s not forget that–I think for all of us that go through this–there is a vanity portion that we don’t want to overlook.
Crystal O’Keefe: I think most of us would be lying to not, to say otherwise, right? And I feel like there’s this disconnect between losing the weight and like realizing you’ve lost the weight when you look in the mirror. I feel like there’s always this slow down like you’re like, is that really me? What just happened?
Rob Dennison: Yeah. And one of the things Amber and I’ve talked about that’s been more of our recent conversation now that the weights off is: now what? Just go back to the old way? Absolutely not?! The old way is gone. That’s not a part of it.
My goals have changed a little bit. And it’s about that lean muscle mass and, body fat percentage. I’m at 11% body fat. Which for a 60 year-old, kind of broke-down guy, I’m like, I’ll take that all day!
Crystal O’Keefe: Yeah that’s, truly incredible. That’s a huge congratulations. That’s a lot of hard work on your end.
Rob Dennison: MetPro for me is the way of the future. This is just the way that I’ve chosen to live at this point. And so if that means, weighing my food and prepping my meals and, holding myself accountable… I’m completely fine with that because the results. We can’t dispute that at this point, right? And so the validation that I need is rea. I’ve achieved it. So I know what it looks like.
Crystal O’Keefe: Absolutely. Yeah you’re right. You’re living it. I’m curious like friends and family, are they supportive or do they ask: “Why are you eating this? Why are you doing that?” Or are they all in? Where do they fall on the spectrum?
Rob Dennison: Yeah it’s it is all over the spectrum and I’d say my close-knit friends and acquaintances say: “Wow, this is amazing. What have you done? How have you done it? What can you share with me?” So now I’ve become this expert on how to go about this. I’m like: “Let me turn you on to MetPro.” I can share what I’ve done, but–and I really do emphasize when people ask–it’s about, diving in and understanding how your body works because we’re all going to be different when it comes to this. And so my plan may not work. What I’m doing may not be right for you. So I encourage people: look if you’re interested and you’re, serious, let me hook you up. If you’re just you want the easy route, this is not this might not be the best solution for you.
Crystal O’Keefe: There is no easy route.
Rob Dennison: People find that out. One of the things that I find most interesting, and I think this is, it’s, probably bigger–and I don’t want to get too philosophical–but it’s more of a society thing of how we’re ingrained. So I get the: “Wow, you look amazing.” And then I get the: “Are you sick?”
Crystal O’Keefe: Wow, isn’t that interesting that when we see someone who’s changed that’s even a part of the consideration.
Rob Dennison: Maybe we should get some t shirts: “Oh, I’m not sick.” But yeah, it’s it’s been interesting, the reaction and, that, that feedback is also been an important part of the journey is how others see you helps reinforce, I think. It’s not, an insecurity it’s not coming from a place of insecurity. It’s coming more from a validation, point and an an acceptance type of thing, Hey, it’s: you look good. It’s okay to say, Hey, I think I look pretty good. Or I feel good. That’s, I don’t think we do that enough.
Crystal O’Keefe: Has there been something in this journey that you heard about MetPro or even knew that somebody, they were telling you about it and you thought, Oh, I’m going to have to change this about my life, but you didn’t have to you thought you were going to have to change something really dramatically.
Rob Dennison: I think it’s the whole, calorie restriction, deprivation, this exact list of foods. That’s what I thought it was all about and it’s not. I didn’t consider myself a foodie kind of guy, in that food was more, just get me feeling bad. I didn’t crave: let’s go out and have a steak and this and all these elaborate dishes. That wasn’t how I operated.
I was a little leery at first. Oh, does this mean I’ve got to eat broccoli and asparagus every day? Now what’s changed is I actually enjoy broccoli and asparagus every day. And it’s helped me. As I stated earlier, it’s really helped me in my relationship with food. And I don’t think until I really got into this, did I ever really think about my relationship with food.
Crystal O’Keefe: It just was. You just did.
Rob Dennison: Yeah. And I used to say I, was, at Whole Foods the guy Whole Foods modeled their business after. I would eat every meal. I didn’t mind paying a little extra for the convenience, the fast and they’re good, healthy options there, but, food for me was more about the convenience, the quick fix, the get it over with. Just get something.
Oh, and by the way…here’s a bag of chips and here’s a you-know…. So I every my was every marketer’s dream. Put the Snickers near the checkout because this guy’s coming! So I’ve since learned that I can walk right past that aisle and not have a problem. So that’s been a something that I’ve really pleasantly surprised.
Crystal O’Keefe: That’s wonderful to hear. Have we missed anything? Is there anything that you want to make sure people know about that we haven’t specifically talked about today?
Rob Dennison: A couple things I would add is, and it’s more to share the reality of what you go through. What we talked about is a lot of positive and a lot of great results. But there are times where you’re like, you’re beating your head against the wall type of thing going: “Why isn’t this happening?” And I think that’s where, your coach comes in. And is a crucial part of this overall success is to have someone to say: “OK, what you’re experiencing is completely normal.”
I think that’s it. Instead of looking at that scale every day, we need to be looking at what’s the last week look like, and just helping you get over those small milestones. Without a coach and without guidance there could be major derailments. And so I think that’s really important.
I know specifically with me and Amber I’ve had this love-hate relationship with the scale. And this is one of the things that she’s really educated me on. I’ll say: “Amber, I don’t get it. I, did a hard weight workout. I played pickleball for three hours. It’s follow the meal plan for the day like crazy. Got good sleep and the scale went up two pounds. Help me out like I’m ready to throw the scale against the wall.”
We would go through it: “Let’s talk about why your body? You know why the scale may say that? As we know, when we exercise our body retains water to help repair the muscles….”
Those were answers that I needed and I welcomed and it kept me on track. And I would just say that the journey is, the hardest thing that we have to do is just show up. That’s so true. And if you show up, and you follow the program I’m pretty confident that you can have pretty great results if that’s what you want.
Crystal O’Keefe: Well said. Rob, thank you. Thank you for all of that. I loved hearing your story. Congratulations again on the weight loss. That’s incredible. And I really appreciate your time today. Before we let you go, can you let everyone know where they can find you if they might have questions for you? If you’d like to be found like on social media or anything like that.
Rob Dennison: I’m not a social media kind of guy, but I’m happy to share an email: rdenison45 at gmail. com. I’m happy to, help. And, if anything I can share help someone either consider the program or start the program or while you’re on MetPro. I’m happy to share and help because I think community is a big part of this as well.
And I go to the Facebook page and look at the stories and. And that’s, helpful when you see others going through it and experiencing it. It’s a good feeling and good to be a part of this movement.
I really do think it’s a movement and my hope is that MetPro and the concepts are. Just multiply it out in the world, because I think it’s needed. And I think we would, we’ve all experienced our individual kind of results, but just imagine if our communities could have the same experiences, what would the world be like? An interesting question to pose, right?
Crystal O’Keefe: It really is. It really is. Very, well said. Again, very well said. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Listeners, that’s all for this week. You can find all of the MetPro Method episodes anywhere you get podcasts, or you can go to MetPro.co/podcast. Please be sure to follow the show and rate and review. That lets other people know what to expect from the show. You can also learn more about MetPro. I’m your host, Crystal O’Keefe, and I will be back next week. Until then, remember, consistency is key.
