Today’s post is a welcome change from my usual soapbox sermons!
Rachel Stephens is the mind behind Dunk Truck, a mobile hydrostatic testing facility in Atlanta (and coming soon to a city near you — read on for more about the cross-country tour!).
Rachel, let’s start with the end in mind – talk about the results that your clients have achieved and what your services can do for people.
Dunk Truck provides body composition testing. We are mobile, so we bring our equipment and set up on site at gyms, events and even offices. Body composition reveals a person’s body fat percentage and lean mass percentage by using hydrostatic weighing. This method is known as The Gold Standard because it is the most accurate way to determine fat versus lean makeup of an individual.
Body composition tests reveal a lot of useful information to anyone that is interested in optimal well-being, overall wellness, and being fit, healthy and happy! So many people — I was one of them — think that if we go to the gym every day can eat whatever we want. We worked our butts off, right?
WRONG!
We won’t be healthy, “skinny” or get ripped by eating crap. We are the most overfed, undernourished nation in the world. Nutrition is where it’s at, folks! This is a topic that comes up 90% of the time when I discuss body comp results with my clients. The other 10% of the time goes to those who have it dialed in already. What we put in our bodies is directly related to what we see in the mirror, feel in our jeans and get out of life.
Another popular subject, especially for WOMEN, is weight. Skinny is NOT sexy. Fit is healthy….we need some fat to protect us and keep us warm. If you’re 5’6″, you probably shouldn’t weigh less than 150. Yes, there are exceptions, but just throwing this out there….more times than not I have women wanting to weigh 125 at 5’6″. This is POSSIBLE, but you’re going to be FAT. I’m sure you’ve heard of “fat-skinny people.” That would be them. This is why I’m doing what I’m doing.
No autopsies here — this is all about health and fitness!
Dunk Truck is pretty different within the health and fitness marketplace – exactly how does your method work?
The process is relatively simple, but you do have to get wet! A person getting tested will get weighed “on land” first, then they will submerge in a bathtub-like tank of water. You only go under water for as long as it takes you to blow all the air out of your lungs. You will do this three times, then you’re finished! Towel off and change into dry clothes in our private dressing rooms. Our clinician will tabulate your results and then review them with you. We discuss recommended body fat percentages, set goals and strategies to get you there. Each person receives a 4 page detailed report complete with basal metabolic rate, recommended caloric intake and personalized calorie expenditures!
What’s the biggest myth or misconception about the work you do?
A huge misconception about body composition testing is the BMI (body mass index). BMI was developed by the CDC to classify large groups of people into smaller sections. [It's just a way to compare apples to apples, if you will -- not a truly accurate health indicator if taken in isolation.] By the way, there are only four classifications: underweight, normal, overweight and obese. These groupings are helpful to a certain extent, but what Dunk Truck is doing by offering body composition testing is going below the surface and examining what the 165 pound 5’6″ is actually made up of…this could be 15% fat and 85% lean, but you’re upset because the CDC is saying you’re overweight. And the CDC doesn’t take into consideration your age or sex. These are both factors that determine recommended body fat measures with body composition testing. Everyone is different, that much we can tell from a glance, but with the BMI classifications, they’re saying you are just like 25% of the population. Body composition tests give you a personalized report based on YOU on that DAY at that TIME!
How did you find yourself in this business?
I fell into this line of work, not completely by accident. All my life I “struggled” with my weight. From a young age I was chubby and regularly criticized about it. Being a female, this doubly impacted my self-image. I was raised in the Midwest…that means hearty meals, plenty of food and cold, boring winters far away from active opportunities. I fed my emotions with whatever I could get my hands on. As soon as I had the opportunity, I participated in softball, cheerleading, swimming, diving, tennis and marching band to keep me moving. I had the fitness part nailed. Adjusting my habits toward eating and nutrition didn’t come as fast.
It hasn’t been until the last year that I’ve really got my nutrition dialed in. I’m a 5’6″ woman, average frame (I always thought I was large frame until a few months ago), proudly walking at 155 today. My body fat percentage at the end of September was 22.1%. I wish I knew what my body fat percentage was that cold January morning in 2011 when I weighed in at 190. At that time I was wearing size 12/14 now I’m comfortably in 6/8 and still changing my body. This is all at 34 years old. I can tell you what works, because I did it myself. No gimmicks, no quick fixes, just conscious nutrition, consistent fitness and changing my world to reflect my priorities.
Where are you headed business-wise over the next 1-3 years?
I plan to be an ambassador of wellness to women (and of course men too) for as long as I’m alive. Dunk Truck is just the beginning of my contribution to revolutionize healthcare and abolish obesity. [A-ha! Dunk Truck is kicking potatoes off the couch too -- just like ClickAClass.com!] I will continue to grow Dunk Truck, adding VO2 Max and Resting Metabolic Rate tests — and ultimately franchise the brand.
To kick start that, I will be taking Dunk Truck cross country in March 2013 to promote body composition awareness combined with a friendly competition to find the healthiest city between Atlanta, GA and Irvine, CA!
There’s so much media hype out there that the Average Joe or Jane can get really confused about good health. If you had to narrow “good health” down to one concept, what would it be?
I think the biggest take-away I would want the general population to have is that “nutrition is 70% and fitness is 30%, but you need BOTH to get to 100%!”
I’m so grateful to Rachel for this important information on body composition, good health, and how to find both.
What’s your takeaway from this post?
Dunk Truck offers hydrostatic body composition testing at your location, on your schedule. Find Rachel at the website, www.dunktruck.com, by email at rachel@dunktruck.com, or by phone at 678-491-0109. Send her the name of your gym, office or event and they’ll bring Dunk Truck to you! If you enjoyed this information and want more of this goodness, please follow Dunk Truck on Twitter at @DunkTruckATL or Rachel at @SweetPStephens and friend them up on Facebook at @DunkTruck.
