Testimonials

From Florian M.
GHP Member – Amsterdam

I have been a regular follower of Shift for some years now and it has already helped me tackled a few endurance challenges thanks to the most efficient training system I have ever come across. But I must admit that when they started to talk about breathing practice and introduced it to the program, I was a bit skeptical and not willing to dedicate some precious training time to it. I mean between cranking a few more intervals on the bike and stopping to do some weird cadenced breathing, the choice seemed easy if I wanted to get the best training impact! Many of you probably still think the same.

Then, a few months ago, I was told by a running coach about the benefits of trying to do some runs with nasal breathing only and decided to give it a go. Let’s be honest, at first it sucks: you can’t go as fast as usual, it’s hard and you feel stupid. But very quickly I made progress and was able to run faster, and I realised that it allowed me to control my HR much better, to cool down quicker between intense running sets; it also just made more conscious of how I breathe when I train or race. I can now run at a strong pace for a while using only my nose and it has helped me become more efficient in general, meaning that I run faster with a lower HR than before. During races, I use nasal breathing as a way to stay in control and avoid burning out after a big push, like at the end of an uphill during a trail run.

Given the impressive results from this simple nasal breathing trick, I decided to look into more details at the other elements that the Shift team is now including into the training programs. I have started using some of the recovery protocols for a few months now and have been really impressed by the results: after a few rounds, I feel relaxed and my body seems ready to recover properly – it’s like hitting a reset button to stop the stress caused by an intense training session and switch to recovery mode immediately. As a result, I recover better and quicker, meaning that the next training session can be of good quality again.

Even more recently, I have experimented with some of the pre-training protocols and here I found that the results are even more impressive. I train first thing in the morning so sometimes it’s a bit hard to get into it, but the breathing protocols are now for me is like drinking 10 coffees without the jittering and other side effects: my body wakes up, my mind clears, I feel energized and my system is rapidly in sync and ready to push when I start my session a few minutes after. It’s quite mind blowing to be honest.

I am now playing around with all these different protocols and use them more often, when I feel stressed or struggle to fall asleep for instance. And I feel it is just the beginning because most of what I do is still unstructured and irregular. I will attend the upcoming AoB clinic in London to try to understand better what’s going on. But for most of you who are still new to breathwork and have been reluctant to try it until now, I can only encourage you to give a try! Start easy with some nasal breathing, play around and see for yourself.

In our latest member feature, meet Lindsey from Norco, CA.

SH//FT: What obstacle/s were you facing when you decided to join the SH//FT program?

Lindsey: Neither my husband nor I had done a triathlon, let alone an Ironman. Neither of us were strong swimmers, and I had done two marathons training in the traditional method but thought I was done with distance because my knees have never been the same after training for those two marathons in my early 20s.

SH//FT: How has SH//FT helped you overcome that/those obstacle/s?

Lindsey: I think the most impressive party of Shift Pro is that you can clearly understand the thought behind the methodology. I’ve always been someone that asked why, and why is laid out so expertly that the training just falls into place after that. Just follow the program.

SH//FT: What does SH//FT provide that you value the most?

Lindsey: I love the structure and the focus on skill work as opposed to just miles and miles. My husband is a pilot in the Air Force and I’m a Deputy District Attorney, so we both lead stressful, time-consuming jobs. With the time spent with Shift Pro, you know every minute counts.

SH//FT: What have been your results or the impact on your life from training with SH//FT?

Lindsey: My husband and I completed our first triathlon, the Memorial Hermann Ironman in Texas on April 28, 2018. As a result of training in this manner, I have finally learned how to run correctly and I can now swim Ironman distances! I have maintained a lighter frame from training and quite frankly want to train six days a week when I was averaging 4-5 prior to this training. We just started training for a marathon in Phoenix in February where I’m hoping to qualify for Boston, which I never thought was attainable before this training. I’m fitter, faster, stronger, and leaner at 35 than I was at 25.

SH//FT: Why did you choose to join SH//FT over another program/service?

Lindsey: I loved the methodology. And quite frankly, my knees and my work schedule doesn’t allow for typical endurance run tons of miles training.

SH//FT: What would you tell others who may be considering joining SH//FT?

Lindsey: Just jump in and do it. Read the emails, watch the videos, believe that doing things right is more important than doing them a lot. I really love this program.

In our latest member feature, meet Linda from Ironton, MO.

SH//FT: What obstacle/s were you facing when you decided to join the SH//FT program?

Linda: Age and a past IT band injury. I think I neglected my strength training out of fear I’d ruin my legs for running.

SH//FT: How has SH//FT helped you overcome that/those obstacle/s?

Linda: Oh my goodness!! The programming made my legs wicked strong!! I liked the variety, though as I told Jason, I HATE interval training. Haha. But there’s no doubt the intervals made me faster.

SH//FT: What does SH//FT provide that you value the most?

Linda: The programming tailored for my particular sport (running). The great communication from the coaches. The science and expertise behind it all. The opportunity for additional consults – for example, I had a fantastic nutrition consult with Lindsay Ford.

SH//FT: What have been your results or the impact on your life from training with SH//FT?

Linda: I went into my second marathon Uninjured and strong. Despite it being 10 degrees hotter than last year, I beat my time by 20 minutes and was strong all the way to the end. AND I felt so much better afterward than the year before!

SH//FT: Why did you choose to join SH//FT over another program/service?

Linda: The range of services, the personal communication, the quality of programming. Also, the demo videos and other additional and valuable content. And who knew about breathing?? Learned so much!

SH//FT: What would you tell others who may be considering joining SH//FT?

Linda: DO IT. You will not be sorry!! And you will surprise yourself!

In our latest member feature, meet SH//FT member James from Huntington, NY.

SH//FT: What obstacle/s were you facing when you decided to join the SH//FT program?

James: Uncertainty leaving CompTrain for a new program… overtraining issues, clarifying longevity goals, was getting a bit burned out training.

SH//FT: How has SH//FT helped you overcome that/those obstacle/s?

James: I use the tactical programming, and it has been a welcome change of pace. I have built some strength and new levels of aerobic conditioning.

SH//FT: What does SH//FT provide that you value the most?

James: Diversity of programming. Giving me the programming a week ahead of time allows me to go into the week relaxed and looking forward to what’s coming.

SH//FT: What have been your results or the impact on your life from training with SH//FT?

James: Aerobic base and brute force strength.

SH//FT: Why did you choose to join SH//FT over another program/service?

James: I dug Brian McKenzie’s interviews and I started following the Instagram page. I was really curious about some of the workouts posted from the various programs – a hypoxic workout in particular was a blow me away moment. After getting my ass kicked by simply carrying a kettlebell front racked holding my breath and seconds later gasping for air made me realize there was a lot more to fitness than just WOD’ing to death.

SH//FT: What would you tell others who may be considering joining SH//FT?

James: Especially in the tactical world, I would say here is a program that will give you mixed energy system training, strength and power building, with a taste of some bleeding edge theories on performance.

 

In our latest member feature, meet SH//FT member Massimo from Pesaro, Italy

SH//FT: What obstacle/s were you facing when you decided to join the SH//FT program?

Massimo: Finding the motivation to go out to run and swim instead of just lifting weights at the gym.

SH//FT: How has SH//FT helped you overcome that/those obstacle/s?

Massimo: I make myself add my results to the website comments where the coach can see them, which pushes me to do what I don’t always want to do.

SH//FT: What does SH//FT provide that you value the most?

Massimo: Short workouts that are effective.

SH//FT: What have been your results or the impact on your life from training with SH//FT?

Massimo: I feel good and now enjoy getting outside the gym to train.

SH//FT: Why did you choose to join SH//FT over another program/service?

Massimo: I went to the Art of Breath Clinic this year in Italy and loved it. Plus I know that Shift places skill before everything else.

SH//FT: What would you tell others who may be considering joining SH//FT?

Massimo: Give it a shot. It’s effective and cost-efficient!

In our latest member feature, meet SH//FT member Abe from Stuarts Draft, VA

SH//FT: What obstacle/s were you facing when you decided to join the SH//FT?

Abe: I was preparing to participate in Spartan Race’s Agoge in June 8, 2018. It is a 60-hour event involving physical and mental tasks and virtually no sleep. I also participated in Peak Race’s Death Race, another extreme endurance event. The website says, “The Death Race is the ultimate challenge, designed to present you with the unexpected and the completely insane! Nothing else on earth will challenge you like The Death Race, both mentally and physically…”

SH//FT: How has SH//FT helped you overcome that/those obstacle/s?

Abe: The Tactical program helped prepare me for the long physical hikes and carrying weight over long distances. At different times, I was tasked with crawling long distance, carrying logs, and moving boulders. The Tactical program, is an intense program, that prepared me for virtually any challenge given to me during these and other events I participated in leading up to these main events.

SH//FT: What does SH//FT provide that you value the most?

Abe: The most important thing GHP gives you is a program that provides short, intense workouts that are effective and still give you plenty of time to spend with your family and work.

SH//FT: What have been your results or the impact on your life from training with SH//FT?

Abe: Using GHP, I’ve been able to refocus my training and I have the confidence to take on greater challenges. All the while, I still have time to teach high school, coach high school football and wrestling, practice jiu-jitsu 2–3 times a week, AND have time for my wife and son.

SH//FT: Why did you choose to join SH//FT over another program/service?

Abe: GHP provided an inexpensive program that was an answer to my training needs, specifically for long tactical style endurance events.

SH//FT: What would you tell others who may be considering joining SH//FT?

Abe: Do it. It’s worth it. If your commit to the program, you will succeed in whatever goal you have set.

In our latest member feature, meet GHP member Jo from Cumbria, UK.

SH//FT: What obstacle/s were you facing when you decided to join the GHP program?

Jo: I was exhausted after 2.5-yrs self-building our house; it left me strong but unfit, tired and stressed. But I was eager to get back to swim fitness and needing to exercise to help bring stress levels down. I kept trying my old combinations of CrossFit and swimming, but the intensity was wrecking me. I couldn’t get the recovery right, so I kept loading more stress onto a stressed body and pulling muscles while not getting any faster in the pool.

SH//FT: How has GHP helped you overcome that/those obstacle/s?

Jo: Shift Pro gives me a structured routine I can dip into when time allows, both in the pool and focused strength work outside the pool. Most crucially, it has taught me how to recognize when I’m still recovering or when I’m ready for the next WOD through the breath work. My swim times are improving; I can WOD without exhausting myself by using nasal breathing, and I don’t feel wiped out after it all!

SH//FT: What does GHP provide that you value the most?

Jo: Through nasal breathing it gives me a way to understand what my body is telling me about how tired I am and what it can or cannot tolerate – basically whether to rest up, exercise gently or push my limits!

SH//FT: What have been your results or the impact on your life from training with GHP?

Jo: I’ve smashed my 200 and 400m swim times without wrecking myself! I feel healthier, stronger, fitter and more confident about exercising without asking too much of a tired body.

SH//FT: Why did you choose to join Shift over another program/service?

Jo: I used to follow Brian Mackenzie when he did CrossFit Endurance and that really worked for me, so I knew I loved his methods and theories; no other service offered me a structured program of sport-specific exercise aimed at swimming AND a method of learning about recovery like GHP does.

SH//FT: What would you tell others who may be considering joining Shift?

Jo: Get signed up! Especially if you are time short and need something tailored to your sport rather than more general fitness.

 

In our latest member feature, meet GHP member Florian from London.

SH//FT: What obstacle/s were you facing when you decided to join the GHP program?

Florian: I have a limited amount of time to train given my busy work schedule, and few opportunities to go for long runs or rides as I live in central London. I also suffered from knee arthritis when I was younger and still have pretty bad knees compared to an average person, so training in a smart way, avoiding junk volume and getting stronger/more efficient in my movements were key for me! Most importantly, I wanted to take out the brain work of having to plan my own training and have a program with periods of higher/lower intensity and rest to make sure I was getting the best of my hours in the gym without burning out.

SH//FT: How has GHP helped you overcome that/those obstacle/s?

Florian: Shift Pro is super high quality training so that you don’t need to spend hours doing unnecessary volume. The focus on proper technique, good form, functional strength, and then intensity helped me become fitter without having to log in more than 8 hours of training a week and kept me away from injuries. It made my training more straightforward and forced me to take needed rest periods.

SH//FT: What does GHP provide that you value the most?

Florian: A holistic approach to training – Shift has made me much more aware of all the other important aspects outside just pure training when preparing for a race. Breath work, heat/cold exposure, rest days and recovery weeks, nutrition etc. These things all add up over time to help you recover faster, train better, and ultimately race harder!

SH//FT: What have been your results or the impact on your life from training with GHP?

Florian: Just an overview of the things Shift has helped me achieved over the past year…
– 4 ultra distance trails, including two +100kms and one 145km/+10,000m/-10,000m – all finished in the top 25%. I now have enough points to enter the lottery for the Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc (the mecca of ultra trail in Europe – fingers crossed I get a spot!)
– 2 Olympic distance triathlons under 2h30
– my first ever full distance Ironman under 11h (top 10% of all finishers)
And again all of that without any major injury, short recovery times even after my ultra trails, and around 8 hours of training a week! I would not have done that without GHP

SH//FT: Why did you choose to join Shift over another program/service?

Florian: I loved the underlying philosophy of quality over quantity, the focus on strength which makes training sessions more fun, and the convenience of the website where I could easily preview my training weeks and plan my workouts.

SH//FT: What would you tell others who may be considering joining Shift?

Florian: Be open-minded if you come from a different training background and are used to more volume and less technique/side work, give a try for a few weeks and just look at the results… they will speak for themselves!

In our latest member feature, meet SH//FT member Jon from Biloxi, MS.

SH//FT: What obstacle/s were you facing when you decided to join the SH//FT program?

Jon: Coming up with a new and challenging program that included non-generic warm-ups, conditioning, and recovery work.

SH//FT: How has SH//FT helped you overcome that/those obstacle/s?

Jon: Shift Pro is always unique and always challenging. I look forward to the challenge of each new cycle as well as seeing what new elements the SH//FT will introduce.

SH//FT: What does SH//FT provide that you value the most?

Jon: Variety & scalability. The system can be used with all levels of athlete.

SH//FT: What have been your results or the impact on your life from training with SH//FT?

Jon: Shift Pro has improved my mobility (especially my squat depth) as well as my conditioning and my grip strength. All of the varied programming has been directly applicable to not only triathlon events, but also Obstacle Course Racing.

SH//FT: Why did you choose to join SH//FT over another program/service?

Jon: Other programs took up too much time and had too specific of a focus, usually on strength training. I think those other programs get very boring very quickly and do not offer enough variety. Few programs other programs offered mobility in the warm-ups, fewer still programs offer recovery work, and NO other programs even begin to bring breath work into their programming.

SH//FT: What would you tell others who may be considering joining SH//FT?

Jon: Turn the key. SH//FT into a high gear. Don’t touch the brakes!