A new study that links artificially sweetened beverages to premature death is prompting public angst. Some scientists say it has significant flaws.
Does guzzling diet soda lead to an early demise?
There was a collective gasp among Coke Zero and Diet Pepsi drinkers this week after media reports highlighted a new study that found prodigious consumers of artificially sweetened drinks were 26 percent more likely to die prematurely than those who rarely drank sugar-free beverages.
The study, published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, followed 450,000 Europeans over 16 years and tracked mortality among soft-drink consumers of all persuasions — both those with a fondness for sugary beverages and those who favored sugar-free drinks.
Given the well-documented health effects of consuming too much sugar, it was little surprise the authors found that people who drank two or more glasses of sugar-sweetened beverages a day were eight percent more likely to die young compared to those who consumed less than one glass a month.
But what grabbed headlines, and prompted widespread angst, was the suggestion that drinking Diet Coke could be even more deadly than drinking Coca-Cola Classic.
“Putting our results in context with other published studies, it would probably be prudent to limit consumption of all soft drinks and replace them with healthier alternatives like water,” said Amy Mullee, a nutritionist at University College Dublin and one of 50 researchers who worked on the study, one of the largest of its kind to date.
The study is not a one-off. Over the past year, otherresearch in the United States has found a correlation between artificially sweetened beverages and premature death.
The problem, experts say, is that these and other studies have been unable to resolve a key question: Does consuming drinks sweetened with aspartame or saccharin harm your health? Or could it be that people who drink lots of Diet Snapple or Sprite Zero lead a more unhealthy lifestyle to begin with?
A number of nutritionists, epidemiologists and behavioral scientists think the latter may be true. (It’s a theory that will be instantly recognizable to anyone who has guiltily ordered a Diet Coke to accompany their Double Whopper with cheese.)
“It could be that diet soda drinkers eat a lot of bacon or perhaps it’s because there are people who rationalize their unhealthy lifestyle by saying, ‘Now that I’ve had a diet soda, I can have those French fries,’” said Vasanti S. Malik, a researcher at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the lead author of a study in April that found that the link between artificial sweeteners and increased mortality in women was largely inconclusive. “This is a huge study, with a half million people in 10 countries, but I don’t think it adds to what we already know.”
The authors of the JAMA paper tried to account for these risk factors by removing study participants who were smokers or obese, and they tried to improve its accuracy through statistical modeling.
But Dr. David Ludwig, an obesity specialist at Boston Children’s Hospital, said these so-called observational studies cannot really determine cause and effect. “Maybe artificial sweeteners aren’t increasing mortality,” he said. “Maybe it’s just that people with an increased risk of mortality, like those with overweight or obesity, are choosing to drink diet soda but, in the end, this doesn’t solve their weight problem and they die prematurely.”
Still, scientists say the alternative to observational studies — a clinical trial that randomly assigns participants to a sugary drinks group or a diet soda group — isn’t feasible.
“Clinical trials are considered the gold standard in science, but imagine asking thousands of people to stick to such a regimen for decades,” said Dr. Malik of Harvard. “Many people would drop out, and it would also be prohibitively expensive.”
Concerns about artificial sweeteners have been around since the 1970s, when studies found that large quantities of saccharin caused cancer in lab rats. The Food and Drug Administration issued a temporary ban on the sweetener, and Congress ordered up additional studies and a warning label, but subsequent research found the chemical to be safe for human consumption. More recently-created chemical sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose have also been extensively studied, with little evidence that they negatively impact human health, according to the F.D.A.
“There’s no evidence they are harmful to people with a healthy diet who are trying to live a healthy lifestyle,” said Dr. Barry M. Popkin, a nutritionist at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He and others remain concerned that giving diet beverages to young children might encourage a sweet tooth.
Still, many scientists say more research is needed to determine the long-term effects of consuming artificial sweeteners. Although Dr. Mullee, one of the authors of the study, cautioned against drawing stark conclusions from their data, she said the deleterious effects of artificial sweeteners can’t be ruled out, noting studies that suggest a possible link between aspartame and elevated levels of blood glucose in humans. “Right now the biological mechanisms are unclear but we’re hoping our research will spark further exploration,” she said.
For consumers, the mixed messaging can be confusing. Dr. Jim Krieger, the founding executive director of Healthy Food America, an advocacy group that presses municipalities to enact soda taxes and increase consumer access to fruits and vegetables, said the new study and others like it raise more questions than they answer.
“Gosh, at this point, you probably want to go with water, tea or unsweetened coffee and not take a chance on beverages we don’t know much about,” he said. “Certainly, you don’t want to drink sugary beverages because we know that these aren’t good for you.”
About the Author: Andrew Jacobs is a reporter with the Health and Science Desk, based in New York. He previously reported from Beijing and Brazil and had stints as a Metro reporter, Styles writer and National correspondent, covering the American South. @AndrewJacobsNYT
.
Source: A version of this article appears in print on , Section D, Page 6 of the New York edition with the headline: Alarm Over Diet Sodas, and Questions, Too .
> > > Live well.
Original article published on Sept. 6, 2019 | Written by: Andrew Jacobs | The New York Times A new study that links artificially sweetened beverages to premature death is prompting public angst. Some scientists say it has significant flaws. Does guzzling diet soda lead to an early demise? There was a collective gasp among Coke Zero and Diet […]
Adaptive athlete Logan Aldridge didn't let losing an arm keep him from discovering CrossFit and earning the title of Fittest One-Armed Man on Earth.
WATCH LOGAN'S INSPIRATIONAL STORY on ABC NEWS:
You can follow Logan Aldridge on Instagram at: @aldridgelogan
> > > Live well.
Source: Localish featured on ABC News Adaptive athlete Logan Aldridge didn’t let losing an arm keep him from discovering CrossFit and earning the title of Fittest One-Armed Man on Earth. WATCH LOGAN’S INSPIRATIONAL STORY on ABC NEWS: You can follow Logan Aldridge on Instagram at: @aldridgelogan > > > Live well.
I feel like I’ve been traveling non-stop these days. My trips range anywhere from a short 2.5 hour drive to a flight across the states. No doubt traveling is one thing I truly love, but how do you make it healthier? I feel as there is a negative connotation tied around traveling with many people because they aren’t exactly sure how to tackle it in a healthy way. After literally years of driving back and forth from CT to Philly/DC/NY/everywhere imaginable, I’ve come up with top travel essentials to make my trips healthier, more enjoyable, and easier to handle!
ATHLETIC WEAR/SHOES
Preparation is everything. I always pack a few workout sets and sneakers so I have no excuses when it comes to workouts. My advice is always to workout first thing in the morning or when you land. This helps you stick to a schedule and move your body before you can feel fatigued or caught up in other plans. A cute outfit always helps me want to sweat - look cute, work hard. This actually works for me! My go-to outfits are Fabletics, Bold Body Apparel, Lilybod, and Old Navy.
IMMUNITYAID
Raise your hand if you have traveled and gotten sick? Maybe it was the tight airplane seating, or the lack of sufficient sleep, or even just being outside your normal food/vitamin routine. Trust me, it seems like I was there more often than not. It wasn’t long before I realized there were ways to combat sickness and stay on top of your game - cue IMMUNITYAID. Aka a refreshing, bubbly can of vitamins that is sure to help you combat any sign of sickness/fatigue. For real, this bad boy is delicious and just what I need - don’t tell him, but I have to hide them from my husband because he drinks them on the regular before I can even stand a chance.
PROTEIN BARS
This goes without saying, really. Protein bars are such a handy snack to bring because they are packed with nutrients and pack well in your bag. I always need some healthy fats, protein, and complex carbs to get me through a trip so I don’t completely binge at rest-stop or overpriced airport food. My go-to bars are Simply Protein, Kindbars, RXBars, and SquareOrganics Bars. to name a few. I always pack multiples because my man always asks for food.
HAND SANITIZER
I cannot travel without this stuff. Airports, hand rails, stairs, bathroom, all freak me out - germs galore. This has made such a huge different in preventing illness. Plus, I can’t even tell you how often I eat on the plane when I have just touched the seat, tray table, elevator rail, travel bag, and everything else you can imagine. I love hand sanitizer because it cuts the germs and travels well in a little bottle for convenience.
BOOTY BANDS
This is like a workout secret weapon. I do not travel without one in my bag. These stretchy bands of goodness up your sweat game because who has room to pack dumbbells. Most weekends I perform band workouts and plan my week accordingly. Although “booty” is in the name, these bands can be used for a total body workout, too. I recently switched to a thick fabric band because it is far more challenging and doesn’t slide at all when you wear them. I highly recommend AthElite Lifestyle’s bands which you can find here.
WATER BOTTLE
Our bodies are made up of 60%+ water. That is the majority of our beings. It can be so easy to miss your water intake when you’re traveling for a variety of reasons, but staying hydrated makes a huge difference in my skin tone, under-eye bags, digestion, and energy levels. You will not find me without a water bottle in my hand. I bring my reusable bottle to the airport and chug it before I get through security. Then I fill it back up as soon as I’m through the line. When on driving trips, it can be easy to drink less in fear of needing to pee every minute, but it is worth it! I always bring a bottle to keep me alert and hydrated.
FITNESS PLAN
It is important to move your body when you’re traveling. I completely agree that you don’t need your normal rigorous gym schedule - especially on vacation - but having options for travel-specific workouts is one way to stick to a routine and remain healthy. I have many workouts on my Instagram that require little or no equipment. You can also find 15+ types of these workouts in my 8-week fitness & faith guide - Dumbbells & Devotions 2.0. Look for the Airplane icon on the top of the workout pages.
What are your top travel essentials? Leave a comment below to share with us.
About the Author
Michelle Schwartz is a wellness warrior searching for ways to live healthier and happier with a focus in the areas of Fitness, Food, Faith and Fun.
.
"I believe that everyone can get healthier and happier with small changes while still living their lives. I share my expertise via Instagram and my blog. My goal is to empower women to find a love for health and taking care of their bodies. I am determined to prove that getting healthy can be done without hours in the gym or tons of money spent on health foods. I provide fitness tips and videos, quick and delicious recipes, health advice and faith questions to help you achieve your goals." .
Article by: Michelle Schwartz | May 9. 2019 I feel like I’ve been traveling non-stop these days. My trips range anywhere from a short 2.5 hour drive to a flight across the states. No doubt traveling is one thing I truly love, but how do you make it healthier? I feel as there is a […]
Tucked away in the back of the old Santa Cruz Wrigley’s factory is a warehouse manufacturing the recovery fuel for CrossFitters.
Forty thousand free cans of FITAID were handed out at the 2019 CrossFit Games — a far cry from the humble beginnings of LIFEAID Beverage Co ten years ago.
Where it all began
“Orion and I met in a CrossFit gym back in 2009 in Santa Cruz and we had this crazy idea and launched LIFEAID in 2011,” said Aaron Hinde, co-founder of the company.
Aaron invited the Morning Chalk Up to the company’s headquarters which supplies LIFEAID products to around 30 percent of CrossFit boxes in America.
“In this warehouse that we’re in now we used to have a little tiny cage that held two pallets of product and that was it. It took us six months to sell through it, one can at a time slowly,” he said.
The company now employs 75 people full time, it’s growth a byproduct of two key factors according to the co-founder.
“The product but also the people and the relationships that we forged early on and nurtured, we still have those relationships nine years later.”
Aaron describes this as the “OG” – or “original gangster” parts of the community – that continue to propel the company forward.
What’s new
LIFEAID’s evolving and has just started stocking each of their unique flavours in a monk fruit, stevia blend.
“We’re launching all of our entire line in the zero sugar format with no artificial sweeteners,” Aaron said.
This includes:
FITAID; probably the brand’s most recognisable “black” line.
PARTYAID; born out of the boys' experience at the Burning Man Festival.
GOLFERAID; believe it or not, this was the “OG” flavour. “When we had free time we used to golf, but that doesn’t really happen anymore,” Aaron laughed.
FOCUSAID; the “healthy, energy drink replacement.”
LIFEAID; all about “anti-inflammatory.” Aaron said, “It came out of the need for a daily drinker.”
What’s next
Aaron and Orion practice what they preach, concluding the tour with a personalised workout – “The Aussie” – in the team’s office gym set up like a mini, in-house affiliate.
Don’t ask me why a huffy, puffy 15-minute EMOM (5 wallballs, 5 pull-ups, 1 rope climb) reflects my Australian heritage, but let’s just say we earned our ice-cold FITAID which is always on tap at HQ.
“People feel comfortable cutting loose and know that we’re going to take good care of them,” Aaron said.
That’s certainly the case both in the U.S. and abroad. For example in Australia, LIFEAID Beverage Co is now stocked in approximately 70 percent of gyms.
For the company, now a major sponsor of the CrossFit Games, global engagement was the big takeaway from Madison, 2019.
Having naming rights to the ‘FITAID Lounge’ (formerly known as the Beer Garden) the company hosted the ‘One Ton Challenge’ drawing fitness personalities – names like CT Fletcher and Wes Kitts – who’d otherwise be unlikely to attend the Games.
“It was great to get a lot of international exposure it was fun to see all the different cultures there,” Aaron said.
“CrossFit is still alive and well with all the changes there was a little apprehension in the air, we weren’t really sure how it was going to shake out. At the end of the day the best athletes always rise to the top.”
“CrossFit, functional fitness, what we do, how we train, it’s going to be here I think forever, you can’t really go backwards,” Hinde said.
> > > Live well.
Morning Chalk Up | Aug. 11, 2019 | By BRITTNEY KLEYN Tucked away in the back of the old Santa Cruz Wrigley’s factory is a warehouse manufacturing the recovery fuel for CrossFitters. Forty thousand free cans of FITAID were handed out at the 2019 CrossFit Games — a far cry from the humble beginnings of LIFEAID […]
Hundreds of fans packed into the FITAID Lounge last night to watch about a dozen athletes take on the One Ton Challenge, an attempt at accumulating 2,000 total pounds over six lifts: back squat, deadlift, bench press, clean, jerk and snatch.
FITAID brought in the legendary C.T. Fletcher to emcee the first-of-its-kind event at the CrossFit Games. “It was fun doing something new…I can’t wait to come back to the Games,” Fletcher told the Morning Chalk Up. “Watching Wes Kitts throwing up big weights that powerlifters struggle with. It was amazing.”
“It’s nice to finally see some heavy barbells getting thrown around,” one fan told us during the event in passing.
Athletes like Wes Kitts, EZ Muhammad, Adrian Conway, Kristin Pope, Morghan King, Katie Cork and Logan Aldridge had 20 minutes to hit their max weight on squat, Bench, Deadlift, Snatch, Clean, and Jerk hoping to accumulate a total weight of 2,000 pounds for men and 1,200 pounds for women, earning themselves a spot in the One Ton Club.
Logan Aldridge | Photo Courtesy of FITAID
Adrian Conway deadlifted 635 pounds for a 30 pound PR, “It was an amazing event and the environment led me to get all six lifts, which really are all PR’s within the last few years. It was absolutely created by the environment and the presence of C.T. Fletcher,” he told the Morning Chalk Up.
Kristin Pope snatched 195 pounds just two weeks after her training was interrupted by a health issue. “I snatched 195lbs in front of literally THOUSANDS of people cheering me on at the CrossFit Games! I’ve never had so much fun throwing around a barbell. Thank you for relighting my fire,” she wrote.
Wes Kitts, who won the men’s division, jerked 425 pounds and squatted 600 pounds while adaptive athlete Logan Aldridge deadlifted 445 pounds and cleaned 255 pounds, a five pound PR for him. Kitts told us in an interview, “I was just having a great time…Just came out to work out with some guys.”
The event was the product of a partnership between Aaron Hinde, Co-Founder and President of FITAID, and Anders Varner, Podcast and Director of Media at the Shrugged Collective.
On being the largest weightlifting event at the CrossFit Games this year, “This event has changed the trajectory of a few careers,” Hinde told Morning Chalk Up.
> > > Live well.
Aug. 3, 2019 by JESSICA DANGER | Morning Chalk Up Hundreds of fans packed into the FITAID Lounge last night to watch about a dozen athletes take on the One Ton Challenge, an attempt at accumulating 2,000 total pounds over six lifts: back squat, deadlift, bench press, clean, jerk and snatch. FITAID brought in the legendary […]
Madison, Wisconsin | July 24, 2019
“Making Strong People Stronger” is the motto of the One Ton Challenge (OTC), a LIVE event which will take place on site at the 2019 Reebok CrossFit Games in Madison, Wisconsin. The OTC is scheduled to kick off Friday, Aug. 2, 2019, at 5pm (CST) following the final event of that day’s Games competition. And who better to host the event than three-time World Bench Press Champion and three-time World Strict Curl Champion C.T. Fletcher.
Spectators will be able to watch all the action from the FITAID Lounge while athletes complete the following six lifts: Squat, Bench, Deadlift, Snatch, Clean, and Jerk. The goal is to hit a combined total weight of 2,000 lb. for men and 1,200 lb. for women, earning themselves a coveted spot in the One Ton Club.
According to the OTC website, “The point isn’t the number. The point is to set a goal and improve from where you are. The point is to lift with a group of friends who make you better.”
Some of the biggest names in weightlifting, bodybuilding and CrossFit will be competing in the LIVE event, hoping to prove their strength.
MALES:
Wes Kitts: Olympic weightlifter and 2018 Pan American champion
Kenny Santucci: Ironman, CrossFit coach & athlete
Barrett Danz: heavy-lifting athlete & owner of CrossFit Big Dane
Morghan King: American weightlifter who competed at the 2016 Olympics
Katie Cork: CrossFit athlete & fitness model
Sól Sigurdardóttir: Icelandic CrossFit athlete
Kristin Pope: National Championship competitive weightlifter
Following a tumultuous year for the CrossFit community, FITAID recently signed weightlifters and bodybuilders like Alex Michael Turner. FITAID (the #1 Post-Workout Recovery Drink in America) was proud to sponsor this event in conjunction with Shrugged Collective.
Anders Varner, founder of Shrugged Collective stated, “The One Ton Challenge is the pinnacle weightlifting event for athletes dedicated to the lifelong pursuit of strength. It’s designed to give athletes around the world a meaningful and achievable training goal. We are bringing the strongest athletes in the world to Madison to test their outer limits of strength during the LIVE event at this year’s CrossFit Games. You won’t want to miss it.” Well-known for his physique and strength, professional wrestler and actor John Cena made the following comment on a recent Barbell Shrugged podcast episode, “We wanted to come up with something that was attainable for everyone. The male standard is the One Ton Club (2,000 lb.). Everyone has a chance.”
HOW TO ENTER THE ONE TON CHALLENGE
You can create a profile and submit your lifting PR stats at TheOneTonChallenge.com to see how you stack up against other individuals and top athletes around the world.
About LIFEAID: With a focus on great-tasting, wellness-enhancing and solutions-driven supplement products, LIFEAID Beverage Co. has become a trusted brand among health- and performance-conscious consumers. LIFEAID offers a range of "vitamins you'll actually enjoy drinking." The brand’s Recovery Blend FITAID is now the #1 Post-Workout Recovery Drink in America. Visit www.lifeaidbevco.com for more information.
Shrugged Collective is a network of fitness, health and performance shows that help people achieve their physical and mental health goals, founded by Anders Varner. Learn more at ShruggedCollective.com.
> > > Live well.
Madison, Wisconsin | July 24, 2019 “Making Strong People Stronger” is the motto of the One Ton Challenge (OTC), a LIVE event which will take place on site at the 2019 Reebok CrossFit Games in Madison, Wisconsin. The OTC is scheduled to kick off Friday, Aug. 2, 2019, at 5pm (CST) following the final event […]
How can you be successful when it comes to marketing a niche product? Find out on this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur, featuring Aaron Hinde, co-founder and president of LIFEAID Beverage Company.
“LIFEAID is a functional beverage company,” said Aaron Hinde. “Basically, we make vitamins you’ll actually enjoy drinking.”
Neither Hinde, a sports chiropractor, nor his partner, a financial planner, had any experience in the beverage industry.
“In 2011, it was just a twinkle in our eye,” said Hinde. “It was through ignorance and passion that we pushed all the chips in.”
Both Hinde and his partner emptied their savings in an effort to get LIFEAID off the ground. Now, the beverages are found in 20 countries. In the US, they can be found at gyms and major retailers across the country including Walmart, Kroeger and CVS.
“I think the key to our success is that we chose a single target market,” Hinde said.
To learn more about LIFEAID and how the company has become so successful, listen to this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur (link above).
> > > Live well.
How can you be successful when it comes to marketing a niche product? Find out on this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur, featuring Aaron Hinde, co-founder and president of LIFEAID Beverage Company. CLICK HERE to listen to the full podcast episode on UpMyInfluence.com: “LIFEAID is a functional beverage company,” said Aaron Hinde. “Basically, we make […]
Don't miss any of the exciting FITAID events, giveaways, Meet and Greets, demos, competitions (including the One Ton Challenge) & more—all happening throughout the 2019 CrossFit Games (July 31-Aug. 4).
Check out the FITAID events calendar below for more information, and stop by our FITAID booth on Sponsor Row at the Games.
Plus, don't forget to snag your FITAID After-Partytickets now, they're going to sell out FAST.
Don’t miss any of the exciting FITAID events, giveaways, Meet and Greets, demos, competitions (including the One Ton Challenge) & more—all happening throughout the 2019 CrossFit Games (July 31-Aug. 4). Check out the FITAID events calendar below for more information, and stop by our FITAID booth on Sponsor Row at the Games. Plus, don’t forget to […]
By Lori Nedescu
Being an athlete goes beyond training & performing. It’s a lifestyle. A lifestyle that requires a high level of attention on everything outside of the actual physical exertion—sleep, recovery, stretching, mental attitude, immunity, mood, body weight, food choices… Every great athlete knows that the physical strengths will only take you so far.
“An athlete’s health foundation is what truly sets one up for success.”
As a serious athlete and a board-certified sports dietitian, I have a relatively sound, health-forward diet, but even I can make improvements. Confession: I do not follow a strict diet. Instead, I make nutritious choices and aim to do what’s best 80% of the time, leaving 20% for fun. I’m finding that while it is nice to have a ‘break’ from assessing my performance diet, 20% is still a large chunk. Imagine if you slacked off on 20% of your training? Eek. As my goals get stronger, I need to re-evaluate that 20%. Those choices do not have to be perfectly on point, but they can still be choices that will be beneficial for my health instead of taking away from it.
Luckily, I’ve found an ideal replacement that is still cold, refreshing and energizing, but is actually health-promoting, specifically when it comes to targeting my body’s nutrient needs for fitness improvements. FITAID ZERO is a researched-based, naturally flavored beverage that is specially balanced with supplemental ingredients that help athletic recovery. Now instead of grabbing a cold can that might lead to increased sugar cravings and weight gain, I can grab a cold can that might improve muscle speed, reduce muscle breakdown, strengthen mitochondria, provide antioxidants, replenish electrolytes and boost energy levels after a tough workout. This is due to the drink’s potent blend of vitamins, minerals, green tea, quercetin, turmeric, BCAAs, and CoQ10—ingredients proven to positively influence performance factors. FITAID ZERO also has (as the name suggests) no sugar! Meaning it won’t spike my blood sugar and I can rely on more whole food sources to provide the carbohydrates and calories my body requires.
C O N C L U S I O N You don’t have to worry about being strict all the time, but do consider how those 20% choices play in to your 100%, choosing wisely whenever there are those easy, small swaps you can make to create a healthier foundation that will boost your lifestyle and ultimately improve your athletic performance.
About the Author: Lori Nedescu is a board-certified sports dietitian, published author, and elite athlete in cycling & marathon running. You can view more of her work, follow or get in touch with her on Instagram at: @hungryforresults
> > > Live well.
By Lori Nedescu Being an athlete goes beyond training & performing. It’s a lifestyle. A lifestyle that requires a high level of attention on everything outside of the actual physical exertion—sleep, recovery, stretching, mental attitude, immunity, mood, body weight, food choices… Every great athlete knows that the physical strengths will only take you so far. “An […]
RALEIGH, N.C. — A Raleigh man, who recently won an international fitness title and was crowned The Strongest One-Armed Man on Earth, is now using the platform to show others how to reach beyond their limits.
Logan Aldridge, 28, lost his left arm in a boating accident when he was 13. But, as a former high school athlete, Aldridge said his fitness level soared when he started CrossFit six years ago.
"I can say with certainty, I would have never imagined, or could have imagined, this," he said.
Earlier this summer, Aldridge competed in the WheelWOD international competition for adaptive athletes. Adaptive athletes have one or more physical impairments.
Despite winning the title of "Strongest One-Armed Man on Earth," Aldridge said his main goal has always been to inspire others.
"I wanted people to look at me and say, 'If he can do it, than I sure can.' There's no reason not to try," he said.
John Prescott, who owns Neuse River CrossFit, introduced Aldridge and nine other adaptive athletes to the gym.
"Logan really radiated the mindset of it’s not a matter of if, it's a matter of how," Prescott said. "It's been one of the coolest parts of this whole experience, learning how to be with adaptive athletes and how to coach them."
"We're far more capable than we give ourselves credit, or than we know," Aldridge said.
Aldridge said he plans to continue to inspire adaptive athletes to live healthier lives and loves helping others to see the possibilities.
You can follow Logan's journey on Instagram: @aldridgelogan
> > > Live well.
Posted by WRAL.com on 7/11/2019 at 7:36 p.m. RALEIGH, N.C. — A Raleigh man, who recently won an international fitness title and was crowned The Strongest One-Armed Man on Earth, is now using the platform to show others how to reach beyond their limits. Logan Aldridge, 28, lost his left arm in a boating accident when […]
________________________________________ 
