Fit Soul, Fit Body: 9 Keys to a Healthier, Happier You

by Brant Secunda, Mark Allen

Let’s face it: fitness goes far beyond how long it takes to walk or run a mile. When you’re stressed out, emotionally drained, overworked, overweight and underappreciative of your physical body, you can’t get much of anything accomplished—at work, at home, on the race track, wherever and in whatever capacity. Put simply, when you’re spiritually unfit, life is a greater challenge. That mythical "balance” you’ve always dreamed of achieving is just that — a myth. But not anymore.

Mark Allen was one of the top triathletes in the world but struggled to get past the barriers preventing him from winning the grueling Ironman World Championship triathlon in Kona, Hawaii.

Then he began studying with Brant Secunda, healer and teacher in the Huichol Indian tradition of Mexico. Brant is the only Westerner to have completed a 12-year apprenticeship with Don José Matsuwa, the revered Huichol Indian shaman. Brant taught Mark the spiritual and healing exercises that allowed him to integrate his physical and psychological fitness.

Mark went on to win a never-before-achieved six Ironman triathlons in a row and was called the “"World’s Fittest Man” by Outside magazine.

Now, Brant and Mark have integrated their wisdom into one book, providing practical tools you can adapt to your lifestyle and achieve results you never thought possible.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health

256 pages, Paperback

First published November 10, 2008

About the author

Brant Secunda is a shaman, healer and ceremonial leader in the Huichol Indian tradition of Mexico. He completed a twelve-year apprenticeship with Don Jos Matsuwa, the renowned Huichol Shaman who lived to be 110 years old and who adopted Brant as his grandson. Alongside other dignitaries including President Jimmy Carter, Brant cofounded the Peace University in Berlin, and is a founding member of the American Herbalists Guild and has taught at the American Holistic Medical Association."

Reviews

[Roger Royse]

I finally got a chance to read this book about how the world's greatest triathlete leveraged the secrets of the shamans to win 6 Ironmans. I met Mark Allen many years ago and asked him how I could improve my Ironman recovery times. He said that I should:

1. Limit caffeine
2. Avoid simple carbs like sugar
3. drink (alcohol) less
4. sleep more, AND
5. lift weights

Good advice. This book adds to those practical tips some performance psychology developed by a people that have to exist in a harsh, demanding environment

[Phil]

From a six-time winner of the Hawaii Ironman triathlon (Mark Allen) and his spiritual teacher/guide who helped him through those victories and has mentored Mark for many years afterwards. Disappointingly general advice. Info might be useful if implemented under the direct coaching/guidance of one of or both authors. As a book, it did practically nothing for me. I do not recommend it.

[Aleta]

There were some good ideas in this book although there was more reflection on their personal journeys than I wanted to read about.

[Kate]

Got this at a work conference..totally inspiring

[Karla Ticona]

Un libro para leer lento con una taza del mate de tu preferencia.
Para quien es FAN del triatlón o Triatleta, la historia inicial es increíble, el nivel de etalla de la lucha del IRONWAR es muy especial y te hace sentir esas millas del maratón y la victoria de Mark Allen de su primer título mundial.
Lo demás son una serie de principios para revisar cada cierto tiempo: ejercicio, alimentación, estilo de vida, estilo de mente. Muy buenos.

[Kuan]

Was interested after the “Iron War” youtube clip where Mark Allen after failing 6 times to win the World Championships long course triathlon in Hawaii managed to defeat 6-times champion Dave Scott. He said he managed to finally win the championships after taking up shamanism, this book he wrote with the shaman who guided him.

I was afraid it would be quite hippy-ish and new-age. But a lot i already knew and is grounded in science. 3 stars for me because I already knew a lot of the material, but could be useful for someone with less experience in this field of training and nutrition (and spirituality).

[Audrey Edney]

If you want to integrate your love for the outdoors with your physical and mental health and well-being, this book is for you. Toward the end, they have a fantastic breakdown of how best to utilize heart rate training and balance your carbs, fats, and proteins.

[Nancy]

Six-time Ironman champion and Huichol Indian-trained shaman document their relationship that helped Mark Allen achieve his victories. Mind/ body stuff with a spiritual twist. Nothing special.

[Alex Watson]

Thought this was going to have a lot more Ironman stuff, it wasn’t and was just v generic and I’m upset bc I want more Ironman content

[Jacob Berg]

This book lived up to my expectations; a basic guide to enhance not only physical but mental as well as spiritual fitness. The book's main message is that of shamanism: we are all children to mother earth and father sky. The message of oneness is the same that you'd find in for example tibetan buddhism. In that sense, this book describes nothing new but gives a proper reminder of the importance of going through life with inner peace, even when you find yourself right in the middle of a hardcore elite race on Hawaii with 1500 other super trained, hypercompetitive participants wanting to outbest you.
I'm glad the authors bring up the topic of spiritual practice as it is so painfully ignored in the contemporary world of sports and fitness. You certainly don't have to follow the Huichol mythology as Mark and Brant do, but finding a spritual practice that you believe in and making it a part of your daily life seems crucial to be able to live a successful life, no matter your goals.

[Gloria]

Interesting blend of fitness/diet advice and soul support. There is practical advice and graphics showing how many reps to do and how to figure your BMI, etc. Nothing especially unique in this area. What is unique, however, is the Shaman influence. When you look for the basic message, it echoes what many other advisors advocate: visualize in your mind first, meditate, center yourself, etc. in order to achieve goals. Almost like the carpenter's rule of "measure twice, cut once." Seems a bit more appealing to men because of the author's IronMan competition status. Strong endorsements from holistic leaders Christiane Northrup and Stephen Covey.

[jeni b]

Mark Allen is certainly a remarkable and accomplished athlete and his experience is worth listening to. The idea of training your mind along side body is a wonderful reminder that you can only do so much with your body and so much MORE with your mind. Personally, when it comes to running, my mind is my hardest obstacle to overcome NOT the terrain.

[Karen]

Any endurance athlete should read this. Even if you aren't 100% down with the shaman practices, the general ideas in this book about combining physical and spiritual health are right on. Lots of helpful mental tools.

[Amanda Vance]

Meh. Very vague and a large portion was dull to read. The fitness and nutrition information was nothing new, but may be good for a couch potato just getting movie. I did enjoy the triathlon anecdotes.

[Kim]

This book was ok in theory, but really unhelpful in putting these methods to proper use.

[Patrick Ackley]

Channel the deer baby, channel the deer!

[Bud Winn]

Inspirational - good tidbits of lore and practices on how to find inner peace. Good launching point for asking the question "Who am I, and what do I want in life?"

[Katie]

I read this book in 2011, and it changed the way I look at fitness forever