I had the great opportunity to proofread the first edition of Richard’s first book Stop the Denial: A Case for Embracing the Truth About Fitness and dig deep into the message he is sharing with undeniable passion.
What I got was a practical perspective on health and wellness, as well as one of the best lessons on critical journalistic thinking. The final edition is filled with so much more. Here you find much-needed information and you will all enjoy discovering the personality of the man who has become my friend and mentor.
I first met Richard when I was seeking advice and guidance from an expert on journalism in Quebec. Our first conversation was scheduled for thirty minutes and lasted well over three hours. We talked about the state of global journalism today, Montreal’s business atmosphere, and many other interests. Richard shared his passion for natural wellness, which grows stronger by the day. Being a respected and celebrated journalist for most of his writing career is only the tip of the iceberg for Richard. You’ll start the book with a taste for his voice and read how a personal event a few years back propelled him into some self-evaluation germinating the seeds of an amazing book idea. Thus, was Stop the Denial born.
About Richard
But first, how about a little more about the writer himself? He is an old-world journalist: honest, confident, clearheaded, forthrightly opinionated, irascible, and committed to getting the story right! I can see him in a smokey bar, sitting at a table of greasy, fedora-wearing journalist-curmudgeons, discussing the ills of the world over some throat-wracking bourbon and cheap cigarettes. As with all these endearing grumps, he has a genuine and sympathetic heart to share with the readers. Richard Tardif, the proud journalist, lives in the service of others, and it is one primary key to his success.
He may cringe at my previous run-on paragraph because he demonstrates excellent writing skills and more tips on writing than the extended edition of Strunk & White’s Elements of Style. In this book, he goes further and not so subtly teaches us the truth about the Health Industry and gives easily applicable techniques to stay healthier. One of them is currently keeping this writer’s butt from dying. Read through and you won’t miss it!
A compulsive researcher
Mr. Tardif could possibly be described as a compulsive researcher, always offering several corroborating sources for his statements. He demonstrates his extensive knowledge of the benefits of healthy eating, mental wellness, and regular exercise, and he uncovers all this to the joyful discomfort of popular media, or so he says in taunting them to criticize his findings at several points in the book. He presented wellness as realizable habits for those of us living the busy “50+ years” lifestyle. His teachings are not limited to this age group. They can easily apply to everyone.
Filled with deeply personal anecdotes and loving respect for his subjects, there are so many simple tips on being well. So beautifully explained I found myself often uttering the “aha” moment sounds: “Huh, this makes so much sense!” Then, to my further surprise, I felt the urge to get down and try his suggestions, with the immediate results of a clear mind and much fewer aches than expected.
We all know about the excuses we make to avoid working out. Even the image of working out makes me cringe, but doing a hip raise doesn’t sound so bad, and I can do it in the privacy of my own home. With a witty, conversational style, he lets us know all the benefits of these simple exercises, all the muscles being activated and how much blood gets pumped through our bodies thanks to activating the most significant muscles we have. In case you didn’t know it, the biggest is our behind, and it needs immediate focus! If this isn’t enough, he fascinates us with his assertion most of us have dead butts from sitting on them all day. Who wants to think they have a dead butt? It doesn’t sound sexy at all.
Stop the Denial
Every chapter gives us similar epiphanies as the book is packed with more sweet stories tied to teaching fitness and wonderfully compelling and habit-forming exercises in the right direction. He provides more in elaborating on the teachings of other fitness trainers and thought leaders, then tying them into important mental and emotional wellness concepts and motivational techniques. (Time for a blatant plug.) I strongly recommend reading the first book to get them all.
Richard Tardif is a passionate and experienced personal trainer, specializing in helping the over 50 crowds, but he regularly works with other specialists and his personal approach is beneficial for anyone needed to kick start their journey to fitness and wellness.
By Mario J. Perron
