THE | DIET DETECTIVE^®

Name:  Dr. John Spencer Ellis

Birthday: 4/2

Location: Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

Q: On those days when you're not motivated to work out, but you know you have to, what's the one thought that gets you going?

A: I tell myself, “This is your life and you must make the best of it each day!”

Q: If you had to choose a specific song or band to get you psyched for your workout, what would it be?  

A: Oh so many to choose……..  I like the Black Eyed Peas and old school rock like AC/DC.

Q: If you could eat one forbidden food whenever you wanted without gaining weight, what would it be?  

A: Hamburger

Q: What dessert do you dream about?   

A: I actually never do.  I have never had a piece of pie and have never craved it.

Q: If there were one healthy food item (something you love) that you had to eat every day, what would it be?

A: Sushi

Q: What is the one food or meal you always eat before an event? What about before training?  

A: I don’t have one specific item on my “must have list.”  The item changes based on the activity mode and duration.  I do have a fair balance of carbs and proteins.

Q: What’s the best book about health that you’ve read?

A: In general terms, I like Dr. Andrew Weil’s books.  It is very fundamental about fitness, but overall, the information on health and longevity is priceless.

Q: What are your two favorite health magazines?

A: I really don’t have a favorite, but I read about the industry about 20 hours per week.

Q: What do you consider the world’s most perfect food? 

A: It’s not a food, but a needed element of sorts.  Fish oils are so important.  There is so much emerging evidence as to the benefits.

Q: Do you have any sports superstitions or rituals?  

A: I mentally and physically pause before I begin any event (even eating).  I learned this form yoga and kung-fu.

Q: How do you take total control of your mind and body to achieve the focus you need during pivotal sports moments?

A: See question above. And also realize that to have total control is also the ability to let go of control.

Q: What do you think is the best training location in the world?  

A: Sedona, AZ or San Diego, CA.

Q: What do you do to reduce stress/relax/center your mind? Do you participate in an organized relaxation activity such as yoga, meditation or tai chi?  

A: My weekly schedule includes cycling, yoga, kung-fu, weight training, walking, core and functional work.

Q: Are there healthy restaurants that you enjoy and would recommend? 

A: Any sushi restaurant that has FRESH fish daily.

Q: Do you have a favorite healthy recipe or cooking tip? If so would you share it? 

A: A tasty, healthy and easy snack is cottage cheese with cherry tomatoes and balsamic vinegar.

Q: Do you have a Calorie Bargain? What food did it replace? Was that an important food in your diet, since you ate it so often?

A: I have never made food to be anything other than an appropriately enjoyable necessity.  Because of that, I like to eat and have never become obsessed.

Q: Tell us how you got to where you are now.

A: I have been educating myself for 20 years.  Since the age of 12, I never took more than one week off from exercise.  Ever!  I have great role models, mentors and coaches and always seek out people who are smarter than me at whatever I want to master.

Q: Define and discuss failure.

A: Failure is not giving your best effort – period.

Q: Is there anything about yourself that you've changed your mind about in the last 20 years? 

A: Yes, I used to think I knew it all.  What a joke.  I’m completing my fifth college degree and I still have soooooooooo much to learn.  I’m in my infancy.

Q: What's the next major item on your "to-do" list? Complete of my naturopathy degree (ND) and the launch of my TV show “The OC Body.”

Q: Define individual responsibility and how you react to adverse situations. 

A: Individual responsibility is what lacks in too much of humanity.  We must always be aware of our actions and most importantly, how they affect others now and in the future.
Responsibility is the obligation we have to ourselves and others.

Q: Was there a defining moment in your life when you made a decision that changed the course of the rest of your life forever? 

A: Yes, it wasn’t a decision (other than to move forward), but rather the completion of a task.  Crossing the line at the Ironman triathlon is life altering.  After that point, anything is possible.  It would be difficult to ever suffer more or be more dedicated.  So, anything seems surmountable after that point.

Q: What's the most bodacious chance you've ever taken?

A: Moving away from home with $2000, starting my business and training for the Ironman all in the same year.

Q: What's the biggest lesson you've learned about yourself? What's the biggest lesson you haven't learned? 

A: I have learned that I still have much to learn.  Each year I look back and realize how I could have done the preceding tasks even better because I now have new knowledge.

The biggest lesson I haven’t learned isn’t known; otherwise I would have already learned it.

Q: What keeps you going (your motivation)?

A: Curiosity

Q: What's you're favorite saying?

A: Dedicated to Human Excellence.