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Advisory Board
Chairman of the Board
Al Sears, M.D., has written six books and more than 500 articles in the fields of alternative medicine, anti-aging and nutritional supplementation. He enjoys a worldwide readership of millions spread over 123 countries and has appeared on more than 50 national radio programs, ABC News, CNN and ESPN. In The Doctor’s Heart Cure, Dr. Sears exposes the real causes of the modern epidemic of heart disease with practical how-to advice for building real heart strength and resistance to disease without drugs. It is available in nine languages and remains a bestseller three years after its publication. His 12 Secrets to Virility sheds light on the huge environmental and nutritional problems with virility in our modern world and gives men a step-by step guide for maintaining health, strength and masculinity as they age. It became a bestseller during its first month of release. His latest book Your Best Health Under the Sun addresses the myths of the sun’s dangers and gives readers an action plan for restoring this important natural resource for better mood, strength, energy and nutritional health.
Dr. Sears is board certified as a Clinical Nutrition Specialist and was appointed to the international panel of experts at Health Sciences Institute, (HSI) a worldwide information service for alternative nutritional therapies. A master gardener and herbalist, Dr. Sears maintains an herbal apothecary of more than 250 organic herbs used for research, education and treatments. Dr. Sears is the founder and director of The Wellness Research Foundation, conducting original research evaluating natural alternatives to pharmaceutical therapies.
Dr. Sears is a member of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine and is board certified in Anti-Aging Medicine. As a pioneer in this new field of medicine, he is an avid researcher and sought-after lecturer to thousands of doctors and health enthusiasts. He is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Youth Sports Coaches Association. As well as being a sports and fitness coach and a lifelong advocate of exercise programs, Dr. Sears is an ACE-certified fitness trainer. He maintains his integrative clinic and research center in Florida, where he has developed novel exercise and nutritional systems transforming the lives of more than 20,000 patients.
For more information visit www.alsearsmd.com.
Jim LaValle is an educator, clinician, and industry consultant in the field of integrative health care. Jim LaValle is a licensed pharmacist (University of Cincinnati College of Pharmacy), board certified clinical nutritionist (International & American Associations of Clinical Nutritionists,(IAACN), and doctor of naturopathic medicine (Central States College of Health Sciences,), with more than 20 years clinical practice experience in the field of natural therapeutics and functional medicine.
Mr. LaValle was named one of the “50 Most Influential Druggists” by American Druggist for his work in natural medicine, in 1998. Mr. LaValle is the founder of LaValle Metabolic Institute, Cincinnati, OH, and a nationally recognized speaker and media personality. His experience ranges from extensive clinical practice, product design and formulation, and technology development, to author, educator, and media personality.
Mr. LaValle is currently Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Pharmacy. He has developed educational programs for Rite Aid, McKesson, and Longs Drugs, among others, and trains independent pharmacists and physicians about natural medicine. He is a past contributor to Drug Store News and Retail Pharmacy News, in addition to radio and television programming.
His most recent book, Cracking the Metabolic Code, was released in 2005, and he has authored 12 other books, including Smart Medicine for Healthier Living, Drug-Induced Nutrient Depletion Handbook and The Cholestin Breakthrough, and co-authored The Nutritional Cost of Prescription Drugs and Natural Therapeutics Pocket Guide.
For more information visit www.lmihealth.com.
Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, M.Sc., is a Strength & Conditioning coach in Toronto, author of Turbulence Training, a contributing author to Men’s Health magazine, and a member of the Training Advisory Board for Maximum Fitness and Oxygen magazines. Craig’s fat loss, muscle-building website TurbulenceTraining.com features his best-selling Turbulence Training for Fat Loss program and TTmembers.com offers access to all of Craig’s Turbulence Training workouts and video clips (for men, women, mass-building, athletes, and bodyweight-only workouts).
Craig also has an advanced research background, completing a Master’s of Science Degree in Exercise Physiology from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Craig continues to study the latest training, supplementation, and nutrition research that will help improve client’s health and wellness as well as their physical and mental performance.
For more information visit www.turbulencetraining.com or www.cbathletics.com
Dr. Matthew Anderson, B.A., M. Div., D. Min.
Dr. Anderson has been a counsellor and motivational/inspirational speaker for the past 30 years. His desire is to provide spiritual advice and support to those who seek it within eDiets. He is author of “The Prayer Diet”. In his role as spiritual advisor at eDiets, Dr. Matthew Anderson devoted his time and energy to moderating his support group, called Spirituality and Weight Loss, wrote articles for the newsletters, held online meetings and answered individual questions in the Ask the Experts section.
Dr. Anderson received his Bachelors in Philosophy from the University of South Carolina. He went on to earn his Masters of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky and finally received his Doctor of Ministry from Andover Newton Seminary (cum laude) in Newton Center, Massachusetts. In 1970, he was ordained as a minister in the United Church of Christ, a Congregationalist church.
Dr. Anderson lends his spiritual guidance to others as they journey towards healthy living. For more details visit www.drausa.com.
Dr. Reynolds is quickly becoming the leading expert on health, wellness and fitness. He is the managing partner for HealthCare Express Urgent Care and Wellness Center. He also runs a physician guided weight loss program where he has helped many people to lose literally tons of fat. His passion is cutting through all the BS and misinformation out there to bring to his patients what really works. He does this with his patients and through his free newsletter at TimReynoldsMD.com.
Dr. Reynolds graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS and MD degrees from the University of Utah. He is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine and is the President Elect for the Texas College of Emergency Physicians. Before going to medical school Dr. Reynolds was a Green Beret medic and has traveled the world extensively visiting all but one continent. He loves adventure, having climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, trekked the Amazon basin of South America, scuba diving all over the world and many adventures in between.
He has spent significant time living and exploring 3rd world countries from Tanzania to Guatemala to Thailand. In addition to being a fitness specialist for others, he practices the same in his own life. Dr. Reynolds lifts weights, has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and works out on his ranch daily. He is a firm believer in Living Every Minute and teaching others to do the same. His new up and coming e-book and web site LivingEveryMinute.com will be dedicated to that very cause.
For more information visit www.timreynoldsmd.com or www.livingeveryminute.com
Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S. is a nationally known expert on weight loss and nutrition and the best-selling author of The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth as well as the award-winning Living The Low Carb Life: Choosing the diet that’s right for you from Atkins to Zone. He has a Master’s Degree in psychology and counseling and a PhD in nutrition, and is board certified by the American College of Nutrition. His new book, The Most Effective Natural Cures on Earth will be published by Fair Winds Press in January of 2008.
As the popular Weight Loss Coach on iVillage.com for over 10 years, Dr. Bowden’s practical and down-to-earth advice on health, weight, nutrition and life have been read by millions. He’s a featured health writer on AOL and has contributed to over 50 national magazines and newspapers including The New York Times, Men’s Health, Time Magazine, Self, Shape, Fitness, Marie Claire, Diabetes Focus and Oxygen. He has appeared as a nutrition expert on Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, CBS, NBC and ABC.
His lively, entertaining, opinionated writing ventures beyond nutrition and weight loss into areas of health, lifestyle, relationships, spirituality and everything it takes to live an empowered, energized, sexy, exciting life.
Get more information at www.jonnybowden.com.
Joseph McCaffrey, MD, FACS is a board-certified surgeon with over 30 years of experience helping people overcome health problems using both conventional and complementary medical practices. His emphasizes maintaining optimal health through balanced living.
After graduating from Georgetown University School of Medicine, Dr. McCaffrey did post-graduate training in general surgery and a fellowship in vascular surgery. He is a member of many professional organizations and has served as Director of Critical Care and Chief of Surgery. His work as a volunteer surgeon in Kenya and Belize has given him a unique perspective on global health care.
Early in his career Dr. McCaffrey recognized two crucial factors that empower people to attain optimal wellness: the mind’s ability to influence healing and that a healthy lifestyle could prevent most health problems. This led to decades of research into alternative and complementary methods.
Dr. McCaffrey’s visionary focus has always kept him two steps ahead of the crowd. Stressing wellness rather than disease, his goal is to take the already healthy to the next level of vitality.
For more information visit www.masteringlifespuzzle.com.
J.William LaValley, M.D. has practiced Integrative and Complementary Medicine as a licensed physician in Austin, Texas and Nova Scotia, Canada since 1988. Dr. LaValley integrates evidence-based medicine into a scientific and holistic Medical Wellness Protocol™ for patients diagnosed with chronic illness — particularly for chronic inflammatory disease, chronic-recurrent infections, and/or chronic autoimmune disorders.
Patients diagnosed with cancer are treated with scientific evidence-based Cancer Wellness Protocol™ recommendations to simultaneously molecularly target and increase cancer cell destruction, inhibit cancer cell cycle progression, reduce or eliminate cancer cell growth, inhibit cancer cell cycle progression, strengthen and optimize immune system function, improve nutritional status, improve conventional chemotherapy and radiation therapy results, reduce harsh adverse side effects of conventional cancer treatment, and concurrently improve the health and protection of healthy cells.
Dr. LaValley is a member of the American Medical Association (AMA), the Texas Medical Association (TMA), the Travis County Medical Society (TCMS) in Austin Texas, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA), and Doctors Nova Scotia. Since 1994 he has served as the Chairperson of the Complementary Medicine Section of the Nova Scotia division of the CMA.
From 1997 to 2004, Dr. LaValley served as Complementary Medicine Expert Advisory Committee member for the federal Health Canada Natural Health Products Directorate.
David Kamnitzer, D.C. is a Holistic Chiropractor, Nutritionist, and Stress Management Specialist. He specializes in gentle chiropractic care, combining various forms of soft tissue work with precise manipulative therapy.
“Dr. David” is also a therapeutic nutritionist with over 15 years of clinical experience —assisting people with hormonal balancing, weight management, detoxification strategies, and individualized wellness plans. He has a strong background in stress management, receiving his B.A. in Psychology from Sonoma State University, where he studied with Dr. Eleanor Criswell, a leading pioneer in biofeedback and the psychology of yoga.
Dr. Kamnitzer’s professional expertise is in the area of balancing and enhancing the human system at multiple levels: structural, neurological, biochemical, psychological, and spiritual in an integrated fashion. His goal is to help those who are interested and ready to take the next level of responsibility for their health and well-being.
Dr. Kamnitzer provides a gateway for people to access cutting-edge wellness products and services. He is in private practice in the San Francisco Bay Area and Northern San Diego County.
For more information visit http://drdavid.smmsite.com.
Dharma Singh Khalsa is the President and Medical Director of the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation in Tucson, Arizona. He has specialized in the area of peak mental performance for over 15 years.
Dr. Dharma’s pioneering book, Brain Longevity, published in 1997, demonstrated how to minimize the effects of age-related memory loss while keeping the brain healthy and creative well into “old age.” This work established him as one of the world’s most prominent researchers and practitioners in the field.
Among his many honors, Dr. Dharma has been invited to testify before the U.S. Congress on his ‘Brain Longevity™ Platform and served as Honorary President of the Alzheimer’s Prevention Foundation of Mexico. He is a Diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners, American Board of Anesthesiology, American Academy of Pain Management, and the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.
Dr. Dharma is a noted TV and radio authority and the author of numerous consumer and academic books and articles on the subject of brain health and longevity. He is a graduate of Creighton University School of Medicine and has additional post-graduate training at Harvard Medical School and UCLA.
For more information, visit www.drdharma.com.
Mark Rosenberg, M.D. is director and founder of the Institute for Anti-Aging in South Florida. For the past 15 years he has combined modern medicine with nutrition, exercise, and physiology to create a natural program for healthier living.
Dr. Rosenberg received his undergraduate degree from University of Pennsylvania and graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine. He then completed his residency in emergency medicine in San Antonio, Texas at Brooke Army Medical Center, where he won the award of “Teacher and Resident of the Year.”
In 1997, Dr. Rosenberg became a diplomate of the American College of Anti-Aging Medicine. He has since become a highly sought-after speaker and lectures frequently on topics such as integrative cancer therapy and anti-aging medicine. In 2009, Dr. Rosenberg will be regularly lecturing in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Dr. Rosenberg has published a physician’s guide to the treatment of drug toxicities and served as a consultant to several hospitals for the treatment of drug overdoses. In addition to drug research, he is avidly involved in supplement research, and has served as the Chief Science Officer for several supplement companies including VitalMax Vitamins.
Dr. Rosenberg has spent much of his time over the past few years studying cancer. He has developed a novel protocol that integrates standard chemotherapeutic regimens with non-toxic natural supplemental regimens. Dr. Rosenberg was featured on Fox News for inducing remission in a patient with cancer that had spread from the lungs to the liver and spine. Wake Forest University is now studying this protocol.
Dr. Joseph R. Simaie is a graduate of University of Southern California (USC) School of Dentistry. He is very active in advanced dental teaching and training programs. Dr. Simaie has practiced advanced cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentistry since 1996 in his state of the art office in Beverly Hills, CA.
Dr. Simaie integrates the art and science of dentistry, with special emphasis on preventive dentistry, allowing him to provide his patients with the latest advances and techniques. Dr. Simaie holds a Clinical Assistant Professor position at USC School of Dentistry and has written numerous articles on restorative and preventive dentistry.
In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Dr. Simaie also serves on the boards of several dental organizations, and is the immediate past president of USC’s Century Club. He is also a clinical product evaluator for a major dental manufacturer.
Dr. Simaie is a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, and the Academy of General Dentistry.
You can contact him with your questions or comments at DrSimaie@gmail.com.
Candace Booth is a nutritionist, herbalist, and spiritual health coach. She holds a Doctor of Naturopathy degree, a PhD in Nutrition, and is a Certified Nutritional Consultant. For more than 35 years, Candace has been professionally involved in the fields of health, fitness, and exercise physiology — from individual needs to corporate and business management.
Candace has a private consulting practice in Mount Dora, Florida where she specializes in working closely with clients and medical and mental health professionals. Her specially designed preventive health programs provide alternatives to conventional drug therapy through rebalancing the biological terrain of the body. Candace’s treatment approach addresses the specific needs and concerns of the client along with integrating, mind, body, and spiritual awareness.
Prior to starting her own natural health practice, Candace was a vice president for a national fitness organization where she served as training coordinator, turnaround specialist, and consultant. She is actively involved with sharing her knowledge and experience with clients, charitable organizations, and the medical community.
Candace regularly publishes health-related articles and conducts workshops and herbal training programs. She has previously co-authored two books: Discovering Your Inner Power — A Workbook for the Warrior Within, and Tough/Nice — A Manager’s Guide for Sustained High Performance.
Her latest book, co-authored with her son, Max Wettstein (www.maxwettsteinfitness.com) is entitled How Much Fat Are You Carrying? — The Ultimate Fat Loss Guide For People Who Are Sick of Diets. It will be available on her website, www.Destinationhealthplus.com.
Candace is a mother and grandmother and maintains above average fitness through regular weight training and biking.
Editorial Contributors
Larry Clapp was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1990. Given the limited options of surgery and radiation, he began intensive research into self-healing alternatives and developed a treatment for prostate cancer which he successfully used to cure himself.
Today, cancer-free, he continues his research while helping others to heal through his website, audiotape series and international presentations, such as the Today Show, Fox News and Australia National Radio. During seven years of intensive research, Dr. Clapp studied under several medical doctors, biological dentists and alternative healers, developing expertise in cleansing, nutritional healing, pH balancing, herbology, homeopathy, bodywork and energetic and spiritual healing. Combining the best of these healing arts, he developed this successful treatment program (with which he healed himself) for prostate cancer.
Dr. Clapp is co-author of Awaken the Healer Within and best-selling author of Prostate Health in 90 Days without Drugs or Surgery.
For more information visit www.prostate90.com.
As a coach and fitness professional, Jon Benson’s unique skill set has been called, The ultimate blend of Anthony Robbins and Bill Phillips. He is living proof of his methods, as a mere seven years ago he was clinically obese and near death. This association with real-world issues and life-threatening health concerns makes his expertise and coaching trademarks appealing to his thousands of clients and readers. Jon is emphatic about working only with those individuals looking for real, honest answers. He literally trademarked the term Truthful Thinking, which is the title of his next book, debuting early 2006.
Jon is an internationally recognized transformation lifecoach, specializing in mental strategies for the excellence lifestyle, fat-burning nutrition and superior physical fitness. His coaching program TTP-90 has won him critical acclaim in publications such as Shawn Phillips’ Real Solutions, Dr. Richard Winett’s Master Trainer and in Olympian Kevin Saunders’ A Nation At War. He is the creator and co-author of Fit Over 40 (the #2 fitness e-book in the world), and author of Simply Eat as well as The Every Other Day Diet.
Jon is a graduate from MIT in Los Angeles, California and Abilene Christian University, degree in Human Communications and Philosophical Studies. He is schooled in the art of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and has studied nutrition at Dallas’ famous Cooper Clinic. Jon is currently working on completing his M.Sc. in Nutritional Science.
For additional information visit www.fitover40.com or www.mpowerfitness.com.
Anthony Colpo is an independent researcher, physical conditioning specialist, and author of the groundbreaking books The Fat Loss Bible and The Great Cholesterol Con. Anthony is also the creator of LowCarbMuscle.com, the world’s #1 website for athletic low-carbers.
Anthony possesses a unique ability to thoroughly scrutinize scientific research and explain the findings in a manner that is clear, concise and easy for the layperson to understand. His areas of specialty include nutrition, fat loss and cardiovascular health. His research on cardiovascular health has also been published in the peer-reviewed medical literature.
A certified physical conditioning specialist since 1991, Anthony has helped thousands of individuals meet their health and physique goals.
For more information visit www. thefatlossbible.net , www.thegreatcholesterolcon.com, or www.lowcarbmuscle.com.
Kelley Herring is the Founder & CEO of Healing Gourmet – a multimedia company that educates on how foods promote health and protect against disease. As a young adult, Kelley battled a debilitating health condition that went misdiagnosed by multiple doctors for more than a year. Finding no help from “modern medicine”, she turned to her own knowledge of biochemistry and her passion for health research. She soon learned that her symptoms were related to nutrition and within weeks, she charted a course back to health with nothing more than simple lifestyle changes and the power of the plate. The lessons she learned spawned the creation of Healing Gourmet.
Kelley is a firm believer in vigorous exercise, moderate sun exposure and delicious, healthy, home-cooked meals. She is also the creator of Healing Gourmet’s Personalized Nutrition Software and Editor-in-Chief of the Healing Gourmet book series published by McGraw-Hill including Eat to Fight Cancer, Eat to Beat Diabetes, Eat to Lower Cholesterol and Eat to Boost Fertility.
For more information visit www.healinggourmet.com.
Laura received her degree in nutrition and dietetics at the University of Akron and is presently the director of dietetics nutrition at LaValle Metabolic Institute (formerly part of Living Longer Institute). She offers personal nutritional counseling at LMI for clients who need help with their diet in relation to illness or disease. Laura also provides educational services in the areas of health promotion, wellness, and disease prevention.
Laura is a registered and licensed dietitian who has also practiced clinical nutrition in a hospital setting conducting nutrition screening, assessment and care for in-patients and cardiac rehab nutrition classes. During her hospital-based work, Laura served as a community dietitian conducting nutrition workshops for businesses and lecturing in her community for small groups and classes.
Laura has also worked in sales and education of dietary supplements. Through this work and attending extensive educational seminars, she has obtained a thorough working knowledge of the use of dietary supplements for specific health conditions and disease prevention and wellness. Laura is one of only a small number of registered dietitians with this specialized education and training.
In addition, she has advanced training in lifestyle counseling, a skill she utilizes to assist people in the some-times hard work of changing lifestyle to improve health and well-being.
Laura has a B.S. degree in Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Akron, Ohio (Summa Cum Laude graduate, 1994) and certification in Lifestyle Counseling from the American Association of Lifestyle Counselors.
For more information visit www.lmihealth.com.
Carlo X. Alvarez, is Founder of Ethos Athletics LLC, and Consultant to the LaValle Metabolic Institute. He is a former college and major league strength and conditioning coach specializing in performance enhancement training. A noted authority on sports conditioning, Carlo is recognized for his integrated and systematic approach to training, based on a foundation of safe and proven methodology that has direct and measurable benefits to performance.
Carlo has worked as a strength and conditioning coach at the University of Cincinnati, University of Notre Dame and for the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds. As a versatile trainer, he has helped companies, professional sport organizations and personal clients to achieve excellence in performance enhancement.
In 2005, Carlo founded Ethos Athletics, a performance enhancement training company based on the philosophy that individuals and teams, regardless of age and training level, must follow a multi-disciplinary approach to development based on sound physiological principles and utilizing the most current information and training methods.
Carlo currently consults with and coordinates initiatives and programs for the LaValle Metabolic Institute, developing the Metabolic Code Fitness Program as an adjunct to the highly successful Metabolic Code Diet. His highly effective fitness program is recognized for helping people achieve success through individualized, hands-on instruction and an implementation standard of quality vs. quantity.
His dedication and study of exercise and athletic performance enhancement have taken him across the country and to Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Carlo is a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association, American College of Sports Medicine, and International Sports Science Association.
For more information visit www.lmihealth.com.
Ray Sahelian, M.D., obtained a Bachelors of Science degree in nutrition from Drexel University and completed his doctoral training at Thomas Jefferson Medical School, both in Philadelphia. He is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. A popular and respected physician and medical writer, Dr. Sahelian is internationally recognized as a moderate voice in the evaluation of natural supplements. What makes Dr. Sahelian different than almost all other doctors who write about supplements (based only on published research) is that he actually tests on himself various herbs and nutrients in varying dosages to determine what kind of effect they have. It is through this experimental and experiential method that has provided him with significant insights into herbs and supplements that few other medical doctors have discovered.
Dr. Sahelian has been seen on television programs including NBC Today, NBC Nightly News, CBS This Morning, Dateline NBC, and CNN, quoted by countless major magazines such as Newsweek, Modern Maturity, Health, and newspapers including USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, and Le Monde (France). Millions of radio listeners nationwide hear him discuss the latest research on health. He is on the advisory board of Today’s Health and Wellness and writes articles for several health magazines. He is the best-selling author of Mind Boosters and The Stevia Cookbook. His newest book is Natural Sex Boosters.
He also offers his consulting and formulating services to medical and nutritional companies. His newest formulations are Eyesight Rx for healthy vision, Passion Rx, a product which supports healthy sexuality in men and women, Mind Power Rx, and Prostate Power Rx.
For more information visit www.raysahelian.com.
Jackie Silver is Aging Backwards. She shares her secrets, tips, and shortcuts for looking and feeling young on her website, AgingBackwards.com, in her book, on TV, radio, online, and in person. As a television correspondent on the syndicated show, Daytime, she’s been called the Aging Backwards “Guru” and Aging Backwards “Expert.”
Jackie is the beauty editor for Clear Channel’s Mix 100.7 Nancy & Chris Mornings in Tampa Bay and a sought-after speaker. People are surprised to find out that she’s almost 50 and still gets asked for I.D. to buy wine.
As the Founder of Aging Backwards, LLC in 2006, Jackie is educating the public about the latest innovations in the anti-aging industry. She has more than 25 years of experience in broadcasting and combines her natural reporter’s curiosity with her desire to help people look and feel younger.
Jackie is a member of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, the American Heart Association Community Board, the Screen Actors Guild, and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. She holds a B.A. degree in Mass Communications from the University of South Florida. For more information, visit www.agingbackwards.com.
Morton King Mather has been an organic farmer in southern Maine since 1969. He is the author of Gardening for Independence and has founded two non-profits — one saved a farm on the Maine Coast and the other saved the historic Ogunquit Playhouse. Mort is a certified organic farmer supplying vegetables for his family-run restaurant (http://joshuas.biz) in Wells, Maine.
Mort was born in Manhattan and raised on a farm in New Jersey. Prior to farming, he served in the Coast Guard for three years, graduated from the University of Wisconsin, and stage managed professional theatre in major cities throughout the US.
Mort was president of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association in its early years and is a successful fund raiser, consultant, philosopher, writer, speaker, and restaurateur.
He has been a regular contributor to the Mother Earth News, had a weekly column in the York County Coast Star, and written articles for Countryside magazine, the Maine Times, and Organic Gardening. You can learn more about Mort by clicking here.
Corporate Publishing
MaryEllen Tribby
Executive Publisher
MaryEllen joined the Early To Rise team in May 06 as Publisher/CEO. Ms. Tribby brings over 20 years of publishing and business experience. After graduating from New York’s prestigious NYU, she accepted a position at New York’s PBS stationWNET/Thirteen where her marketing passion was ignited. From there she went to Times Mirror Magazines, one of the largest publishing companies in the nation. Later she was recruited to manage a division of Forbes. From there her corporate resume includes Crain’s New York Business, Globe Communications and most recently Weiss Research where she served as President.
As a publisher, Ms. Tribby is determined to provide the finest research, content and products as well as partner with and hire only superlative people in the industry. She currently resides in Boca Raton, FL with her husband of 11 years, Patrick, and their three beautiful children, Mikaela, Connor and Delanie.
New York Times best selling author, Michael Masterson, has developed a loyal following through his writings in Early to Rise, an e-newsletter published by Agora, Inc. that mentors more than 300,000 success-oriented individuals to help them achieve their goals with health, wealth, and wisdom.
Masterson has been making money for himself and others for almost four decades. At one time or another, Michael Masterson (a pen name used by this ultra-successful businessman) has consulted for and advised multi-million dollar companies that were both public/private, onshore/overseas, local/international, service-/product-oriented, retail/wholesale/direct mail, and even profit/not-for-profit.
Jon is the Health Editor and a copywriter for Early To Rise. While his formal education is in finance, Jon has invested over 3000 hours in the study of health and nutrition. He is deeply motivated to provide people with the information and the inspiration to live a long and active life, filled with energy and free from disease.
Jon has also been a student of direct sales and marketing since an early age. Before he was 10 years old, he was selling door to door, and he has been an active entrepreneur ever since. After graduating from the University of Georgia in 1993, Jon moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming where he learned how to build houses, climb mountains, catch trout, and ski fast down hill. However, after several years of poverty with a nice view, Jon returned to his hometown of Nashville to seek his fortune. Within two years – at the age of 26 – he had started a direct marketing business that was earning six figure annual revenues.
In addition to his passion for health, Jon has a strong interest in business and investing. He is also a staunch advocate for honest government and the libertarian values of privacy, freedom, and personal responsibility.
Wendy-Leigh Montes de Oca, MBA
Vice President of Marketing and Business Development
Ms. Montes de Oca’s diversified background includes over 15 years of experience in marketing, publishing, financial services (institutional and retail), and law. She has a proven track record with both acquisition and retention efforts as well as has both editorial and copywriting experience. Her background includes multi-channel marketing (print, email, direct mail, radio, TV) with expertise in direct response marketing for the Web, where her search engine optimization and lead generation tactics generated growth of more than 3160% and 162%, respectively. In addition, Ms. Montes de Oca’s marketing initiatives helped bring in millions of dollars in revenues for the companies she has worked for. She was the editor of a quarterly investment newsletter and had several investment articles published in Hometown News. Her marketing articles have appeared in eNewsletters such as Early to Rise and Makepeace Total Package as well as on various blogs and directories. She is also a distinguished speaker at prominent marketing conferences such as Specialized Information Publishers Association (SIPA).
Ms. Montes de Oca has worked as a consultant as well as for entrepreneurial and Fortune 500 companies. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from St. John’s University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Nova South Eastern University.
Ms. Montes de Oca has been recognized throughout her career with various awards for quality, innovation, teamwork, and new product/new business development.
Melanie Segala
Managing Editor
Melanie Segala began her publishing career at CRC Press, a Times Mirror publishing subsidiary specializing in books and journals for science and medical professionals. In 1990, Melanie was promoted to the position of Director of Editorial Production, managing a large department responsible for the timely publication of over 300 books and 12 journals yearly.
During her tenure at CRC, she gained invaluable experience in the editorial development of scientific publications, refined her writing skills, and greatly increased her knowledge of science and medicine. Among her other accomplishments, Melanie collaborated on the successful launch of new product lines, streamlined departmental operating procedures, and implemented new desktop publishing software platforms in her department.
In 1999, Melanie’s professional experience took another significant leap forward when she became Director of Publications for the Life Extension Foundation, an industry leader in the fascinating world of alternative medicine and nutritional supplements. At Life Extension, Melanie took charge and organized their publishing program as editor of the 1500-page cornerstone reference book, Disease Prevention and Treatment, while managing their yearly 300-page product catalog, and contributing occasional feature articles to the monthly magazine.
Throughout her publishing career, Melanie has worked in a freelance capacity for several prominent publishers including McGraw-Hill Higher Education, Elsevier Science, and the American Pharmacist’s Association.
Melanie is a native of Buffalo, New York (go Bills!) and a graduate of Medaille College with a B.S. degree in education. She has taken additional graduate level courses in nutrition from the American Health Sciences University in Aurora, Colorado. Her personal interests include golf, classic literature, and her newest hobby of container gardening. Melanie and her husband Edward happily reside in South Florida.
