uncle . The Ballas family fundraising efforts enable them to support suicide prevention programs as part of their goals to raise awareness of suicide . They hope , through education , to dispel myths and improve access to resources .
“ We watched these documentaries and realized there is so much crap being pumped in our food and because my wife and I are always touring , we now bring all our stuff with us on tour ,” said Ballas . “ I got turned on to the Garden of Life ® products by one of the trainers who recommended the clean post-workout protein .”
Ballas also takes probiotics every day , and turns the Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein or SPORT Plant-Based Protein shakes into smoothies , usually adding blueberries to combat inflammation .
“ People get scared off by how protein shakes will taste , but Garden of Life really nailed the flavor and you don ’ t feel heavy or bloated ,” said Ballas , who also cut all dairy except for what ’ s in any whey protein he eats . “ Currently I ’ m getting in the best shape ever and I ’ ve been in the gym six days a week .”
Ballas allows himself a day for cheat food but he doesn ’ t abuse it . This is where nuggets of his legendary discipline begin to shine through . It ’ s all a mindset , says the man who lists pizza as his guilty pleasure , along with spaghetti and Mexican food .
“ I love to eat and I could talk about guilty pleasure eating all day , but if I want to perform , I can ’ t have that lazy moment , plus when you do get to have that cheat food on that one day , it ’ s more special ,” said Ballas . “ If you let your body have that every day , it isn ’ t healthy .”
Ballas compares staying the course with diet and exercise as the same as when he began playing guitar . It takes a while to get the hook , to get over the mountain , he advises , telling those new to healthy eating to think of it more like a job .
“ It takes time to get over the mountain and there ’ s a learning curve , like a fish out of water — but it ’ s all perseverance with level and consistent discipline ,” said Ballas . “ Pushing to get to the next part of your personal strength , it is a mindset , so don ’ t be deterred .”
The can-do attitude that ’ s worked for Ballas all his life is something he tries to impart to his fans , especially young people . On tour , he meets many kids who can ’ t wait to get a signed autograph and tell Ballas their own stories . “ I tell them no dream is too big , so progress your art ,” said Ballas , whose commitment to helping young people is far reaching .
Ballas and his family launched a foundation to help prevent suicide , an issue that ’ s deeply personal to him after the loss of his
“ If we can help erase the stigma of mental illness and suicide for our kids , we can change the future for their generation ,” said Ballas , who says get informed , get educated and get involved . Supporting the Ballas Foundation is as easy as going to MarkBallas . com and clicking on the foundation page .
Lately Ballas has been in the gym and studio every day , leaving at 4am . But Ballas doesn ’ t have to struggle to attain balance . He finds it with his wife , whose approach to success also includes the faith that the stars will align , and to always make time to sit back and smell the roses . That extends to good food at home and on the road .
“ We as Americans overfeed ourselves just because we can , but I encourage people to think of eating as fuel rather than having that emotional connection with food ,” said Ballas . “ That ’ s business and there should be nothing emotional about business if you want to function at the highest level — you can be emotional with food on weekends .”
Ballas says even for him there are days where he struggles , but meal preparation has helped combat those trying times . During tours , he never knows when he ’ ll get a break to grab something to eat .
“ That ’ s when you get in trouble — so we might make lean turkey-stuffed peppers , or grilled chicken with sweet potatoes , or squash and zucchini in a curry sauce — we keep the fridge stacked with these healthful meals so we ’ re not stopping and grabbing a candybar every time we get hungry ,” said Ballas .
The bottom line for Ballas is if you want it , you ’ ll achieve it . But the secret is in finding your own path .
“ Someone else ’ s road to victory might not be the same as yours and if something doesn ’ t work , don ’ t give up ,” said Ballas . “ You ’ ll hear no a thousand times and you can ’ t let that stop you — no means nothing .”
18 Vol 34 • Extraordinary Health ™