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PNN Interviews:
Mike Cavilere

Mike Cavaliere is the assistant coach of the National Cross Country Ski Team (Canada). Mike has earned his level 4 certification from the National Coaching Institute and has been working within the National Ski Team program since 1998. In this past year’s Olympic Games, Mike’s athletes brought home 3 medals (1 gold and 2 silver medals).

Dr Berardi:
Hey Mike, it’s good to catch up with you amid all of your travels. We’ll keep this interview short as I know you’re busy. First question - what motivated you to seek out my nutritional system?

Mike:
I had read a few of your articles and became more and more intrigued with your knowledge, style of educating, and passion for the field. Three things were always on my mind when I work with my athletes:

1) Optimal body composition – our team felt we could do better

2) Health and energy – our team has a brutal travel schedule and let’s face it, to be successful internationally you can’t eat in airports or gas stations and expect that fuel to be sufficient. We need to be able to work hard and recover well from training and racing

3) Structure – as a team, we needed to have some structure, education, and guidelines to improve; we needed someone who could give us direction we were confident in. You’re that guy, John.

As I mention above, we needed someone to link everything together for us – no sales pitches, or claims of performance improvement. We needed facts and ideas that could be implemented around our lifestyle. And based on your track record, I doubt there are many others out there that know what you do about teaching athletes to eat well in the real world.

Dr Berardi:
Be honest, did you have any reservations before you started working with me? If so, what were they?

Mike:
No, I was comfortable with your approach from reading your articles. Then, after meeting you, we knew we were comfortable with your knowledge.

The other comforting factor was that you have always promoted the basics of sound nutrition first and foremost.

Dr Berardi:
What about the distance-based nature of the program? Why didn’t you just select a local dietitian? Did you have a hard time getting your head around the fact that I wouldn’t be on site? What made up your mind?

Mike:
The distance has never seemed to be a problem; we have always been able to call or access you via e-mail or your virtual office. That, in combination with your visits to Canmore to do seminars, diet analysis, pre/post com meal plans, and consultations with our Chef, we’ve achieved a great balance. What more could a team want?

Selecting you over locals was really a matter of fit, we liked what you had to offer and a lot of the times you do bring a different way of thinking.

Dr Berardi:
What do you and your athletes like best about the nutritional system?

Mike:
The education and the understanding of what is important and why, from timing of meals to enhanced recovery, to eating to perform is straight-forward and thorought.

Also, the great resources you provide, such as the online virtual office, the No Nonsense DVD, Gourmet Nutrition, etc are very popular with the athletes.

Finally, the one-on-one meal planning has been a huge help.

Dr Berardi:
Did your athletes find the advice hard to follow?

Mike:
No, you’ve always given us guidelines and simple rules; you make it very easy to follow your recommendations.

Dr Berardi:
What kinds of results do your athletes get when using the program?

Mike:
So far, increased daily energy, optimal body composition, and better overall health from all perspectives have been some of the benefits. Even tired athletes are in better moods when eating according to the PN system. I can honestly say that with PN we have reached our nutritional goals.

Dr Berardi:
What are the top lessons you learned while working with my system?

Mike:
1) The 10 habits of eating
2) What and why eat as we do. One of my favorite lessons is that ”there is no bad food only bad timing”
3) Striving for perfection is a recipe for failure - 10% rule
4) How to cook protein bars which actually taste good
5) Shopping tips
6) Developing routines of eating patterns to enhance energy levels
7) Controlling weight through nutrition

Dr Berardi:
Describe your total experience implementing the system to date

Mike:
I believe our team has embraced your concepts for life during and after sport. You’re a great educator; or, as you would say, re-educator.

Dr Berardi:
If someone was hesitant about working with us, what advice would you give them?

Mike:
This program is worth every penny, after all fuel is key to a healthy happy life if you are an athlete or not you will benefit from some of the progressive ideas John and his team will pass your way.

Dr Berardi:
Any parting words?

Mike:
We have enjoyed this relationship and will continue to use John and his team to bring our sport to another level internationally.