Extraordinary Health Magazine EH Magazine VOl 33_Final | Page 49

A hero’s journey leads to
nutritional salvation
He began to notice deterioration in his
right pectoral muscle back in 2001, seeking
out specialists nationally and in Canada,
which led to five years of misdiagnoses.
The weakness progressed and his swing
speed decreased as the muscle in his chest
continued to fade. A visit to a New York
neurologist and six months of waiting finally
revealed the incurable diagnosis of MD.
“I like doing my own research and not being pushed in one
direction, so I learned so much about medicine and how food can
heal you instead of drugs and antibiotics,” said Hoffmann. “I’m trying
to show people it can be done the way I’m going to do it—with this
healthier lifestyle. Helping people, in general, is an amazing feeling.”
Hoffmann wasted no time making strides to help others with the
disease. He founded The Morgan Hoffmann Foundation for the
purposes of treating and finding a cure for muscular dystrophy,
along with aspirations of establishing a physician-staffed
wellness center.
Leading by example is a common trait among athletes. Prior
to his golfing career, Hoffmann played hockey for seven years
and baseball for six. He was no stranger to injuries or mental acuity,
something he says helped prepare him to overcome the challenges
associated with MD.
“So much of the game of golf is mental and when you’re in a good
frame of mind off the course, it always helps on the course. Plus,
everything in life is a learning opportunity, no matter if it’s a good
thing or bad thing,” Hoffmann believes. “Going forward through
the ups and downs, I knew there was no point in being reclusive
when I have this great platform to help people. Giving back and
seeing smiles on other people’s faces is like medicine for me.”
Training during those tough early days after the diagnosis
involved personal trainer, Don Saladino, also a Garden of Life
Ambassador and brand advocate for the SPORT line of products.
Saladino, whom Hoffmann calls one of his best friends, is his health
and wellness coach, mentor and the driving force behind this
dynamic player’s new way of life.
“Having Don there from day one has been a light bulb in my life,
because he is so positive and has so much energy, it’s hard not to
take some of that and turn it into a great thing,” said Hoffmann.
“I grew up playing with his brother Joe who was a great amateur
player, and he and Don own a gym in New York City—Don took me
under his wing and now we call ourselves brothers.”
Hoffmann says Saladino trains him to be an athlete, but more so,
treat his body as if it was a machine. Everything that goes into it
must have a purpose and provide a benefit. Beginning with a diet
that consists of all organic food including vegetables, good carbs
and protein, and it also includes restrictions on dairy, gluten and
soda. The philosophy that feeding the body right and it will run
clean is a way of life now for Hoffmann.
“I’ve researched so many cases of people
with diseases who made extreme overhauls
of their diets and often the changes they
make halt, and sometimes even reverse,
their symptoms,” said Hoffmann, who
understands there are no guarantees. “What
you put in your body is what your body
becomes and changing that gives me the
best possible chance of beating MD.”
Hoffmann admits that like many students,
he had a terrible diet in college and ate in
less-than-healthful restaurants. But after
college when he started working with Saladino, he learned just
how much his body craved healthy foods and how important it
was to listen to it. Eventually going vegan, he says the hardest
transition was getting rid of meat.
“It’s really crazy what the body becomes when you only eat what
will benefit it. I can tell a huge difference now,” he said. “One thing
that helps is the Garden of Life products I use in day-to-day living,
especially the SPORT Plant-Based Protein powder which is really
so clean.”
Going vegan is a challenge any way you dice it, but for someone like
Hoffmann who travels and doesn’t eat processed food, it’s nearly
impossible to find clean food in an airport. He adds water and mixes
in his favorite protein powder to make a nutritious meal.
“As I learn more about protein, I’ve also come to understand
that too much protein from certain sources can hurt your
stomach and gut, so now I get all my nutrients from plants.
There is more protein in broccoli and kale than in a steak and
most people have no idea about that,” said Hoffmann, who
also added dairy to his list of banned ingredients. “Garden of
Life is plant-based and that’s really smart, because that’s where
everythingis going.”
Another key ingredient not only in battling MD, but also
in everyday health, has changed for Hoffmann—sleep. He now
gets exactly eight hours of sleep every night and says he barely
even needs an alarm anymore. Hoffmann’s sleep has vastly
improved with the changes in his diet. More than anything, this
young man is altering people’s perceptions of food and with
tough questions.
“I was inspired to change and if I can share a thought here, my
question for people contemplating a healthy lifestyle, would
be; ‘What do you care more about—your looks and the way you
feel, or the taste of what you put in your mouth? After all, why
do people eat terrib le food?’” Hoffmann asks. “Things that taste
really good are often chemically engineered so humans will be
addicted to them. So for me, it’s more important to feel good
than to have ice cream in my mouth.”
We’re sure that we will be hearing much more from this inspiring,
dedicated and driven man both on the PGA Tour as well as his
efforts with his wonderful organization.
For more information and to follow Morgan Hoffman’s incredible
journey, visit morganhoffmann.org.
Vol 33 • Extraordinary Health ™ 47