MY LIFE Matters - Spring 2022 - 15

INSTRUCTOR SPOTLIGHT Love Your Bones
Derek is a motivational coach and an
inspiring person, having built himself
up from challenges he has faced in his
own life. His personal experiences
with cancer include his father, other
family members, and close friends.
According to Derek, his role is to " help
people live with it or through it. " He
does this by helping those diagnosed
with cancer reconnect to themselves,
both mentally and physically. Derek
bridges that faith and connects you
to that inner child we all have inside
of us that says with confidence " I can
do this! "
His connection to God has fueled his
purpose and passion. Derek's unique
perspective on life has given fullness to
so many who feel empty after a cancer
diagnosis. " We all have an expiration
date, but whatever time you have in
this life, do what you can. " Having
faith with fitness gives you that courage
to keep trying and keep going.
Derek was a part of the MY LIFE
video series, and he is a firm believer
that you need to keep faith during
your cancer journey. He is the owner
and head trainer at AfterBurns
LLC, where he helps individuals with
breast cancer.
KEEPING FAITH DURING
THE CANCER JOURNEY
Derek Burns is a motivational trainer
and inspiring human who helps those
diagnosed with cancer reconnect
to themselves, both mentally and
physically. His connection to God
has fueled his purpose and passion.
Derek's unique perspective on life has
given fullness to so many who struggle
after a cancer diagnosis. Through his
own journey navigating life with posttraumatic
stress disorder (PTSD),
he relates to the ups and downs that
accompany trauma. Watching Derek's
video will give you a hopeful awakening
about life. " We all have an expiration
date, but whatever time you have in this
life, do what you can. " l
THIS IS DEREK'S LEGACY.
WHAT'S YOURS?
#MYLIFEISMYLEGACY
Q&A with Coach Derek
Before you work out, you want to get your
body temperature up, get the blood flowing,
and do some dynamic stretching. Dynamic
stretching is just stretching on the move.
That is not static, static is stretching and
holding. Static is what everybody is used
to doing. So, dynamic first, right before you
work out. You always want to try to stretch
the muscles you are working on that day.
Tigerlily: In one sentence,
what do people need to focus
on when starting their fitness
journey?
Derek: Good form, good nutrition, and
better overall habits.
Tigerlily: How does fitness
benefit bone health?
Derek: Bones are actually tissue. If you
look at what bones are made of, they
consist of a protein called collogen that
acts as the frameworkas well as calcium
phosphate which hardens the bones.
So, bones are important when it comes
to your health and fitness because they
foster movement.
We can't move the right way without bones.
So, we really need to take care of our bones
at a younger age.
Tigerlily: Derek, can you
explain the benefits of
stretching before and after a
workout?
Derek: Stretching and mobility are
important. Why? Because you want to
be able to move. In kinesiology we study
human movement, and if your muscles
are tight and your bone structure is weak
. . . guess what? The less you move, the
less you want to move. Nobody likes to
move throughout pain.
Tigerlily: What if someone is
going through treatment, such
as breast cancer treatments or
any kind of treatment? What
if they are post-treatment, or
they have some bone health
issues? How can they modify
their workout to be intense to
get their heart rate up while
still being aware of what they
are dealing with physically?
Derek: I would always consult your
physician first. Get a release form and
make sure you are ready for " duty " or
fit enough to start doing new exercise.
That's the first thing I would recommend.
Then, when you are released, go get
a coach, someone who can walk you
through it. Because you don't always
know what to do, that is why you have
a coach or personal trainer that can
guide you and tell you where to start. If
you cannot afford a trainer, or you don't
know one, start off by walking and begin
creating good nutrition habits.
Tigerlily: What is an affordable
piece of fitness equipment
that you would recommend?
Derek: Resistance bands are great for a
number of reasons:
» They offer a variety of resistance levels.
» They are multifunctional, you can use
one band for different movements.
» They are convenient! You can use them
at home or travel with them.
» They are easy to store; you can bring
them with you in a purse, bag, or keep
them in your pocket.
MY LIFE MATTERS
SPRING 2022
15
https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/mylifeismylegacy
MY LIFE Matters - Spring 2022

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