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Introducing Natalie Raphael: Our newest DPM Team Member!

Dunn Pellier Media is pleased to announce our newest team member, Natalie Raphael. She has an innate gift for discovering brands that are disruptors and changemakers. Her background is a long line of music PR – did we mention she launched her own music PR firm? This girl has it all, spirit, beauty, and the drive to create change through PR. We’re blessed to have acquired a sensational being who not only is a recent grad of USC, but also is our shining bright star. You can find her namastaying with her yoga students, geeking out over the most recent astrological insights, sharing her passion for wellness, or spreading her positive energy like wildfire.

We’re growing and we couldn’t be more excited to add another conscious soul to our team.

Change the way you train, with Chris DiVecchio

(And how he helped a client lose 70 pounds and win $1 million dollar bet!)

Personal trainer, Chris Divecchio has been quietly transforming the bodies of his clients at his LA-based gym, Premier Mind and Body, for over 20 years. He bases his method on something he calls The 5×2 Method, which is based on how we can use our five senses to create a positive shift in our regular routines. This simple concept can contribute to a more positive, stress-free and overall better quality of life.

It may sound too simple, but when you visit his website and see the transformations of his clients with your own eyes, you’ll have to admit: there is something to this. A big something.

That’s probably why when in-debt poker player, Walter Fisher, needed to get from 35% to 10% body fat in just 6 months, he turned to Divecchio.

At 6’1’’, 245 pounds, and $100K in debt, one of Fisher’s friends bet him $100K that he could not reduce his body fat to less than 10% in 6 months. Before the month was out, the bet was up to $1 million.

Broke and depressed, Fisher accepted the bet and got to work. The story ends happily, with Fisher weighing in at 175 pounds at less than 10% body fat in just 6 months. He paid off his debt and came away with over half a million dollars.

And it was all thanks to Chris Divecchio.

When you hire Chris to train you, you don’t just get a trainer, you get an accountability coach, 24/7. He tailors each program to suit the needs of his clients, which is the secret sauce behind his success rate.

“I use a three-fold approach that targets nutrition, training and vitamin supplementation to get results and promote preventative health and overall fitness. I recognize that every client is unique, which is why I specialize in custom programs specifically designed to fit each client’s goals. The key to the success of my program is accountability coaching. I’m committed to properly educating each client on nutrition and training to show just how easy it is to eliminate the excuses and get results.”

He goes on to say, “I have been a part of so many extraordinary transformations that I believe deeply in people’s ability to change. As a result, I often find myself fighting harder for my clients than they fight for themselves until they start to see the results at which point they then take over.”

We want to welcome Chris to our team, and look forward to sharing more stories of how he is transforming lives through fitness.

For more information, visit https://www.pmblife.com/

Vitamin D & Your Thyroid

What You Need to Know

(and a prescription for sunbathing! Well, sort of!)

Did you know that Vitamin D deficiency is one of the greatest risk factors for developing an autoimmune disease like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or Grave’s disease? Thankfully, summer is here, and nature’s most powerful source of Vitamin D will be in full supply: The Sun!

Armed with this and a plethora of other knowledge, our client, Dr. Becky Campbell, reversed her own thyroid condition many years ago, and she has been able to help thousands of her patients to do the same.

In her new book, “The 30-Day Thyroid Reset Plan: Disarming the 7 Hidden Triggers That are Keeping You Sick,” Dr. Becky outlines a 30-day plan to help those suffering reset their thyroids, and ultimately, reverse their suffering, just like she did for herself.

One of the recommendations in the book is to get more Vitamin D! There is a close connection between Vitamin D levels and thyroid function, as this vitamin is used to allow your thyroid hormone to function within the cell (who knew?). And what is one of the most effective sources of Vitamin D? Sunlight, of course! So with summer upon us, with its longer days and longer and stronger hours of sunlight to be had, it’s the perfect time to get that Vitamin D!

Here are some tips to help you get optimal Vitamin D levels this summer:

Supplement with magnesium (this helps Vitamin D absorption)
Try adding cod liver oil, sardines, wild caught salmon, mackerel, wild caught tuna, raw milk, caviar, egg yolks, and mushrooms to your diet (they are all loaded with Vitamin D)
Take a Vitamin D supplement that also has Vitamin K2 in it (this helps with calcification in the soft tissue, which taking Vitamin D on its own can cause)

THE 30-DAY THYROID RESET will help you reclaim your life and your health. Dr. Campbell speaks from the heart and has truly poured her heart, soul, and experience into these pages to bring you a piece of medical literature that is not only effective, but that is also approachable, sustainable and tasty! It hits shelves nationwide on June 12th, so pre-order now!

No Longer Your Average Fitness Studio…

5 Changing Studio Design Trends

If you’ve been going to fitness studios (gyms, cycling studios, yoga spaces, etc.) for a while now, then you’ve probably noticed something: Todo, we’re not in Kansas anymore! Not only has equipment been updated, but so have the facilities. The spaces are vast, the experience outside of the workout is luxurious, and you may be thinking, “Hey – this place is nicer than my house! I think I’ll shower here every day!”

Well, you would be right to, because according to fitness design expert with 20 years in the biz, Barbara Chancey, times, they are a-changin’. Chancey is the founder and CEO of Indoor Cycle Design (ICD). She has designed over 250 fitness studios on 6 continents, so the odds are pretty high that your favorite fitness spot was designed by her. Chancey’s mantra for creation is to “push boundaries of imagination to create extraordinary fitness spaces.” While Barbara has been knee-deep in the biz for over twenty years, within the past three she’s seen some major shifts.

Top design trends of 2018:

1 – Fitness Studios Are Taking Up More Space
Barbara personally has noticed a huge shift in the amount of physical space fitness studios currently demand, not only because more classes are being offered, but also because fitness studios aren’t just operating as solely a place to get your sweat on. With increases in add-ons such as smoothie bars and indoor cafes, these spaces are creating and cultivating communities. Plus, there are facts to back this up. According to Indoor Cycling Design, in 2014, studios averaged 2600 sq. ft. but soared to 4,000 sq. ft. in 2017.

2 – Elevated Bathrooms and Lockers
Have you ever taken a spin class at a pristine studio that has showers with rain-style water heads, organic high-quality hygiene products, alongside fluffy warm towels? Bathrooms and locker rooms have become indicators of how upscale, and clean a studio is – an extension of its identity. Studios that are committed to providing their students with the highest quality experience from the moment they walk in the door to the minute they dash out is what sets them apart from the rest.

3 – Lifestyle Destinations
Generous social spaces at Pilates studios, HIIT gyms, and many others encourage students to linger around socialize which helps develop a sense of community after the class has ended. Barbara says that “many offer complimentary infused waters or kombucha on tap to create a home away from home experience.” From birthday parties to anniversary announcements and bachelorette get-downs, fitness studios are becoming the new place to celebrate.

4 – Studio Branded Athleisure
If you’ve recently noticed an increase in athleisure at your local fitness studio, you’re not alone. According to Indoor Cycling Design, there’s been a dramatic increase in retail sales with upscale athleisure clothing and branded fitness swag. People want to wear studio-branded gear, giving them a sense that they are a part of a bigger community.

5 – Digital Detoxes Are Highly Encouraged
While most of us are #addicted to our digital devices whether we’d like to admit it or not, working out is a time that we should all strive to set aside to be one-hundred percent device-free. Many studios are taking action into their own hands by intentionally designing studios so that students can store and charge phones outside of class. Barbara notes that open storage cubbies have been replaced with keyless lockers equipped with USB charging stations to provide a much needed digital detox.

If you own and run a fitness studio and you’re not already following this trend, it might be time to get on board. And we know just the right person to help get you started.

For more information on Barbara Chancey, visit https://www.indoorcycledesign.com/

March PR Madness!

March Madness is officially over. Well, for basketball it is anyway. But for public relations – our client campaigns are still going strong! In March our clients had some stellar PR. We thought we would share a few of those highlights with you. Interested in Public Relations for your brand? Just go to our client questionnaire to tell us more about you!

So You Want to Eat Paleo – But You are Vegetarian!

Author of “The Accidental Paleo,” Lauren Lobley had a great segment in the number 2 media marketplace on Fox’s Good Day LA. Guess what – this was her first Television segment and she nailed it! See there is room for people just starting out!

A Public Relations Primer

Climbing Business Journal featured me (Nicole Dunn) in an article discussing reputations and how to repair one in the public eye! You should always be doing some form of PR for yourself even if you own the public relations firm!

How Dehydration Affects Cognitive Function

Organic Authority featured two of our newest clients; fitness expert Corey Phelps and Dr. Becky Campbell. Two newbies just starting out on their PR journey.

What the Heck Is Fascia Blasting?

The Fine Line featured veteran expert Sue Hitzmann manual therapist, exercise physiologist, and founding member of the Fascia Research Society. She has a killer media resume and keeps herself in front of media consistently.

We would love to learn more about you and or your brand! Send us a note to say hello and introduce yourself. We work with clients around the world!

Nirvana in the Redwoods

5-star Retreat Resort Center, Skylonda Lodge, Celebrates New Wellness Retreat Program, June 2018

Wellness retreats are all the rage these days. And for good reason: we as a culture are more stressed out than ever before, and we would do well to get outta dodge to re-calibrate our frazzled nervous systems (can we get an amen?).

If every part of your body screamed “yes” as you read that paragraph, you’re going to want to mark your calendars for June 2018. Because Skylonda Lodge, a 5-star resort that has been vacationed at by such stars as Barbra Streisand, Robin Williams, and Cameron Diaz, is launching its luxurious property re-imagined as a wellness destination retreat center, tucked away in the Redwood Forest between Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area. No expense was spared to create the newly renovated front of the house, 38 breathtaking guest rooms, a 1000 sq. ft. fitness center with top of the line equipment, a massage wing, a sparkling saline pool with Jacuzzi and saunas, and an outdoor obstacle course nestled in the redwoods to promote transformation by creating balance and serenity in harmony with nature.

Did we imagine that, or did we just feel your body relax?

Hailed by Travel+Leisure as one of the “Last of the Lodges: 25 American Greats,“ this “nirvana of the Redwoods” is hosting a 4 day and a 7-day retreat to launch their new program, one that focuses on less technology and more offline connection. The SkylondaProgram focuses on exercises and activities that boost metabolism, support healthy weight loss and prevent aging-related decline in the body and mind.

Skylonda Lodge retreats will be available beginning on June 21, 2018, but if you want to experience the magic before then, a sneak peek will be available in early June. Stay tuned for details. Your body – and your mind – will thank you!

For more information, visit https://skylondalodge.com/

A Public Relations Primer

Maintaining good public relations at Stone Age Climbing. Photo: Stone Age

By John Burgman

Original Article Published on Climbing Business journal

“I always say that you need to do damage control right away. Correct the problem with a solution before it gets out of hand,” advises Nicole Dunn, CEO of the health and wellness PR agency Dunn Pellier Media. “If five people hear that your business has issues, imagine how fast that word of mouth will travel, and soon enough you will find yourself with a big problem—no customers.”

“Remember, you may not always agree with customer criticism (e.g. consumers often draw conclusions on false information), but if enough of them are forming a negative perception, then it is real and needs to be dealt with swiftly,” says Duffy. “Brand management is perception management.”

While climbing gyms might seem tangential to health and wellness, the dearth of PR experts in the climbing industry means that it’s prudent to reach outward—to strategists like Duffy and Dunn—in an attempt to construct PR protocol for gyms. Specifics for PR correlate to whatever your facility adds to the community, explains Dunn. Figure that out first, and then make an effort to spread the word through media.

Getting Personal With DPM: The morning rituals that keep us feeling well & energized!

We run a public relations firm focused on brands and experts in health, wellness, fitness and lifestyle space. But we cannot talk the talk unless we walk the walk.

This week, each of us is getting personal and sharing the rituals that keep us feeling well. This inevitably trickles down to our clients, because when we are feeling centered, we are free to be the best versions of ourselves, which ultimately benefits our amazing clients. It’s the circle of life, and we are so proud to be on this ride together!

Tanya Khani

Tanya: I love to wake up and instantly jump into my 20 minute Ziva meditation practice. This is a time for me to be completely passive and not try to do anything. This is the time where control and “doing” has no place in my practice. The practice is simple. I just sit there in no particular position with my back supported. Ever so slightly, I repeat my personal mantra. The twenty minutes always feels like five minutes, and once I’m done, I feel way more rested than when I woke up after a full night’s sleep!

After my meditation, I jot down any thoughts or visions that may have come up in my meditation. But rather than try to figure out what it all means, I give myself some time to sit with it and just observe. This helps me to gather all my jumbled up thoughts into one. Sometimes the most creative thoughts come through in my meditation, or right after.

My trending nutritional ingredient of the month is Spirulina. I love putting it in my smoothies or my protein drinks to help boost my energy and immunity.

Shea Gorden

Shea: I enjoy waking up, turning off my alarm, opening the shades to my window and letting the natural sunlight flood in. I don’t like to rush out of my bed, so I spend a few minutes looking out my window or catching up on news through apps like the Skimm. I sometimes tell my bed how much I appreciate it because it is truly a slice of heaven to me (haha!). I then muster up the courage to leave said slice of heaven and immediately head to my coffee maker, the smell of freshly brewed coffee beans wakes me up and encourages me to begin my day (I am not a morning person, so this is necessary for my routine).

My trending nutritional ingredient is Chia Seeds and Cinnamon: I like to use Chia seeds and a dash of cinnamon in my breakfast smoothie. Chia seeds are filled with tons of fiber, which sometimes I don’t get enough of. The cinnamon is more for taste but it is also well known to carry antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, immunity-boosting and potential cancer and heart disease-protecting abilities.

Nicole Dunn Garay

Nicole: I wake up and get out of bed. The first thing I do is open my curtains to the mountainside. Then I make my bed. I wash my face and put my moisturizers on and brush my teeth. Then I head downstairs to let my dog out and make my earl grey tea. I sit with my husband for 20 minutes and talk. Then I head upstairs to meditate for 20 minutes. I do a good stretch and then get dressed for the day! I then head down to take my dog out for a walk in Topanga Canyon. Even if its only 15 minutes, he and I can stretch our legs and get fresh air in our lungs first thing!

My trending nutritional ingredient: I take a myriad of supplements each day. The three that get through my day is my Nutrex Hawaii BioAstin (Astaxanthin) and my Garden of Life Women’s Daily Probiotic (endorsed by our favorite client, Dr. David Perlmutter) and my Young Living NingXia Red pick me up around 3 pm! (ask me how you can try some!).

Lauren Lobley

Lauren: I don’t really have what one might call a “typical” morning routine anymore, not since becoming a mother. Nothing beyond rolling out of bed at the sound of my 2-year-old daughter, Madison’s, knock on her door to let me know she’s awake. I spend the next hour getting bossed around (Up! Up! This This! Eat eat! Down Down! – you get the picture), try to shove some food in my mouth somewhere in there, and then put her down for a nap 5 1/2 hours later! I used to have the luxury of meditating each morning, but now that blissful experience is reserved for nap time. Once my little firecracker is asleep, I try to force myself to take 5-10 minutes to meditate, or at least sit quietly, before getting up and desperately trying to get as much as I can do during nap time. The meditation really helps set up this time for me.

My trending nutritional ingredient is Spinach: I’ve been on a Plant Paradox kick lately (by Steven R. Gundry, MD) and I’ve been absolutely LOVING starting my day (or afternoon, sometimes, by the time I get my first sip) with his green smoothie: Romaine lettuce, spinach, avocado, lemon juice, mint, stevia, water, and ice. Soooooo refreshing and oh so good for my body! Oh, hang on a minute…I hear a knock….#momlife

What’s your morning ritual? We’d love to hear from you!

Introducing Our Latest Pilot Project!

We are Kickstarting 5 Fit & Healthy companies in PR! Will you be next?

As the premier Health and Wellness agency, we wanted to help kickstart the PR journey for six industry innovative clients as startups. Exclusively selected, each client of our 2018 Fit and Healthy Roster brings something special to the field and we want to help spread the word! This is their first step into the world of PR and we want to aide in getting their name out to the media and gaining attention around their brand. We’d love you to meet them:

1. MERGE Workout

Created by career personal trainer, Alfonso Moretti, MERGE brings certified personal trainers to small group classes of 16 or less, creating a safe space for anyone at any level to get fit. It is a fully balanced program that focuses on posture, exercise form, core stability, cardiovascular fitness and total body strength. MERGE is designed for every type of exerciser, the conditioned, limited (i.e. injury), old or young.

2. Indoor Cycle Design

Their claim to fame? Innovating boutique fitness. Launched in 2008, Barbara Chancey Hoots has helped over 200 clients worldwide including fitness boutiques in Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Kuwait, and Singapore.

Barbara is a featured columnist and presenter for Club Industry, REX Roundtables for Executives, World Spinning® and Sports Conference, and Indoor Cycle Podcast. As boutique style fitness becomes vastly popular, ICD creates extraordinary fitness spaces. Each space is strategically designed through the eyes of the owners, clients, and instructors.

3. Cultivate by Corey

Founder, Corey Phelps launched her business after being diagnosed with hypothyroidism after the birth of her first child. The mission is to empower women with the resources and tools they need to cultivate physical prowess, replenish their energy stores and live with intention; this is where grit meets grace.

4. Activation Products

Ian Clark, the founder, turned his life around by using marine phytoplankton supplements. This life change inspired him and son, Anthony to find and create their own line of health supplements.

Oceans Alive is the ultimate superfood. A premium blend of two specially cultivated, hand-selected marine phytoplankton strains, Oceans Alive is like rocket fuel for your cells. Grown in a photobioreactor, their marine phytoplankton is completely pure and free of contaminants. The nutrient density of this microalgae provides you with a wide array of vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and amino acids; the building blocks of good health.

5. B. Inspired

Founded in 2017 by Liz Harris and Amy Carolla, B. Inspired is a collaborative community that uses exercise, wellness and meditation to enhance the success and productivity of its members. B Inspired was built on the belief that with positive and grounded energy, all things are possible.

“Our goal is to provide a supportive and collaborative space for women to gather, share ideas and their love of and belief in being balanced, healthy and forward-thinking in the growth of their business, cultural and philanthropic interests. The B. Inspired collaborative workspace offers a designated meditation practice area and small group sessions throughout the week. B Inspired members are invited to use the meditation practice area for their own use as well.”

We are still on the hunt for our sixth industry innovative client. If you are or know someone who is rocking the fitness and health world, and not getting the recognition you think they deserve, contact us today by emailing nicole@dunnpelliermedia.com

New Book: Principles Of Muscle Building Program Design

Not Getting Results From Your Weight Training?

Maybe It’s Time To Go Back To Basics With Nick Mitchell’s New Book

“Not another book on weight training!” “Who even reads books anymore?” “I’ve already been weight training for years, I know what works and what doesn’t.”

Truth is Nick Mitchell, CEO of Ultimate Performance (UP) Fitness personal training company doesn’t even want to read, let alone write, another book on weight training. In fact, he believes since the 80’s, nothing’s really changed. So why is he doing it?

A Book With A Purpose

“Principles Of Muscle Building Program Design.”

Mitchell noticed that pretty much all the fitness books out there are written as “how-to” manuals. There’s a 12-week plan that provides everything from what you should be eating to how many bench presses you should be doing, but most of these books lack one thing: the why. Understanding why you’re doing a particular exercise not only gives you insight into what’s going on in your body but also gives you room to personalize the program based on your individual needs. For those that want to really commit to real, sustainable results, a “how-to” book just isn’t enough.

Diving Deep is what the UP Encyclopedia Series Is All About

In this book, a massive amount of research, experience, and results accumulated from creating the world’s leading Personal Training business is available at your fingertips, literally. In this volume one, it’s all about going back to basics in order to provide the most pristine foundation for resistance training. This way, you’ll achieve maximum results in the minimum amount of time.

Why This Book Is Necessary Now More Than Ever

Mitchell says that “almost every gym in the world that I have ever visited, be it a commercial gym, a bodybuilding gym, or a personal training studio, have very few people including so-called professional personal trainers that have even the first clue about the key fundamentals of weight training.”

So, Mitchell knew he had to create something to fill this void. This book serves as a primer for anyone who lifts weights, no matter what their experience level may be. This book includes all the knowledge that’s responsible for transforming a ridiculous amount of so-called “regular people” into ripped superhumans. From covering the difference between “good” pain and “bad” pain, to explaining when and why the best time to train is, as well as detailing tons of expert exercises for your chest, back, quadriceps, glutes and hamstrings, arms and shoulder, and abs, this book is truly your one-stop shop for plunging into resistance training safely and smartly.

I’d love to discuss creating a pitch for Nick Mitchell’s book, “Principles Of Muscle Building Program Design.” If you’d like a copy of “Principles of Muscle Building Program Design” by Nick Mitchell, or if you would like more information about the book, please reach out to me.

About The Founder

Nick Mitchell, CEO of Ultimate Performance (UP), has spread UP across the globe with 11 locations in 8 different countries, with the newest location coming to Los Angeles, CA. Nick has even relocated his family to ensure the Los Angeles location genuinely represents UP’s global reputation as the world’s leading personal trainer gym.

“We’re not here to be your friend, if we become friends then that’s merely a bonus. We’re here to get you the result that your investment of time and money deserves.” – Nick Mitchell, CEO Ultimate Performance.

UP is the only genuinely international personal training company in the world. Tried and tested, UP is a stand-out compared to the typical compliant personal training industry. UP preserves their strict commitment to each client by following their dual mottos to the letter – “maximum results in minimum time” and “results not promises”

Mitchell wants to ensure the culture of UP – accountability, effective training, consistency, real results and value – is propelled around the world. Ultimate Performance is all about an honest message – no fads or crazes- simple stuff that works. No magic or secret. His new book Principals of Muscle Building – Program Design came out December 30, 2017 – and as of February 9th its SOLD OUT on Amazon.

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