The last couple of months have been very busy for me! I have been competing in domestic competitions in Auckland and Christchurch trying to qualify for my two big international competitions for the year. With training being quite intense at the moment it has been great having the USANA nutrimeals straight after training, they are the best, especially that Dutch Chocolate! Yum.

My competitions went mostly really well and I got the qualification score on multiple events including my best apparatus, the floor. I even managed to upgrade my floor routine and hit it 2/2 in competition. I’ve made my training plan so that I am peaking at the World Champs therefore I wasn’t at my top fitness for these trials. It’s great knowing that I’ve still got room for improvement and hopefully even better scores are to come when I’m at the Worlds.

2 weeks ago I was lucky enough to be invited to the Prime Ministers Olympic Gala Dinner. This was such a great event to attend, the place was full of well-known retired and current NZ Olympians such as Beatrice Faumuina, Barbara Kendall, and Rob Waddell to name a few (all multiple Olympic gold medallists!) As the event name suggests, the Prime Minister, John Key was also there and I managed to have a quick talk with him about my sport and get a photo with him. The event was to fundraise for New Zealand’s Olympic campaign to Rio. Items were auctioned off at the dinner including a ‘Poutapatoru’ (Maori ornament) which all the medallists at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games had signed (including myself). It sold for $7000, a dinner with the Prime Minister sold for $32000!! Overall the event made $200,000 which will go directly towards costs associated with taking the New Zealand team to Rio in 2016. At this event the NZOC released their 2016 Olympics campaign ‘Be the Inspiration’. I had an amazing night and left feeling inspired myself, extra motivated to get on the New Zealand Olympic team to Rio.

I’m happy to say I have officially qualified to represent New Zealand at the World Cup competition in Croatia in September and I have also qualified for the World Championships in Scotland this October. Both of these competitions will have the world’s best gymnasts trying to prove their worth and trying to prepare/qualify for the Olympics in Rio next year. In order for me to have a chance at making the Olympics next year I must prove my value to NZOC at both of these competitions.

There is a long process to make it to the Olympics and two ways that I need to qualify. The first is to be selected by NZ to be sent to the Olympic Test Event in Rio next year in April where I need to achieve a qualifying score in the all-around competition. The second is to prove to NZOC that I can achieve a top 16 placing on an apparatus at the Olympics (this will be the harder of the two, but I think I’m capable of doing it!) NZ will select one person to send to the Test Event in based on their results at the World Cup and World Championships this year (between me and one other NZ gymnast). I need to use my results at all of my international competitions from now until the Olympic Test Event to prove that I can score a mark capable of placing top 16 at the Olympics. If I can’t prove this then NZOC won’t send me regardless of whether I qualify at the Test Event or not. I’m hoping to prove a top 16 placing on either Floor or Vault.

New Zealand has only ever had 2 male gymnasts ever be represented at the Olympics for gymnastics. I have a huge task ahead of me, but I plan to be the third.

The post David Bishop Update! appeared first on Usana Health Sciences Organization.

How did you hear about USANA?

I’ve heard it around for the last few years but it wasn’t until an old school friend who works for USANA approached my about the product and its benefits that I got really interested in what USANA had to offer me as a full time athlete who also works full time. Having the support from USANA is invaluable as it allows me to work hard and train hard but still avoid illness and keep my body ticking correctly.

What’s your favourite USANA product and why?

The Dutch Choc Nutrimeal sachets are a delicious life saver for when I’m rushing out the door after training in my breaks from work!

What’s your tip to staying fit and healthy?

Love your training. If you’re not enjoying what you’re doing there’s not a lot of point doing it. Find a comfortable balance in your training and all other aspects of your life and it will become more achievable and easy to sustain. There’s no better feeling than seeing progress. So keep at it even when you plateau, and you will get there.

Who’s your sporting idol, and why?

My partner Kerry Charlesworth. She’s a Pole-vaulter and the strongest athlete I know. She’s been out for over a year and hasn’t been able to vault but still finds herself in the gym five days a week. Her strength and determination is astounding and truly inspiring. She’s going to shoot straight back to the top when she’s healed up! She drives me like no one else.

Tell us about your training schedule:

I am currently training 6 days a week, which generally includes 5 sessions on the bike and two sessions in the gym. I am currently going through a strength phase in my program which is vital for success in my target event which is the 1Km time trial on the Velodrome, which is effectively the Powerlifting of the cycling world. Strength is key, so most of my training at present is done on an indoor trainer with short high intensity bursts over 1 to 1.5 hours a session. This will probably be followed by an endurance block which will see my training mileage go up but intensity will lower. This aids the last 250m of the kilo as its inevitable that your legs will stop working, it’s just a case of prolonging that as long as possible.

What are some of your career highlights to date?

Since I started cycling in 2014 I have since competed in 5 events (2 on the road and 3 on the track.)

2014 Paracycling Track Champs, Invercargill – Silver in the 1km TT, Bronze in the 4km Pursuit

2015 Paracycling c1 Event, Melbourne – Bronze in the 1km TT, Gold in the 4km Pursuit

2015 NZ Paracycling, Cambridge – Silver in the 1km TT

2015 Paracycling Road Nationals, Napier – Silver in the 25km Individual Pursuit

2015 Paracycling c1 Event, Cambridge – Gold in the 19km Individual Pursuit, Silver in the 72km road race

What’s coming up for you? 

In the coming months I will be developing myself for the up and coming track season, which will include 2 track events and 2 road events in NZ as we scramble to scrape together qualifying points for Rio. Success in these events should hopefully see me selected for Track World Champs in March 2016, in Italy. However that and selection for Rio are based on my performance over the season and qualifying points earned by the team.

The post Team USANA welcomes another top NZ athlete! appeared first on Usana Health Sciences Organization.

How did you hear about USANA?

It was through my coach and his wife (Ivar & Marya Hopman) and it was from nicking some of there product when I was a litt le unhealthy, or travelling etc. I immediately saw the benefits, seeing me using USANA prducts daily now.

What’s your favourite USANA product and why (please send a selfie with the product)?

I think the best products are the supplements (Multi-mineral, Bio Mega, Antioxidants) as I constantly feel really good using these products. They have kept me healthy from the day I have used them.

What’s your tip to staying fit and healthy?

Riding your bike 20+ hours a week!

Who’s your sporting idol, and why?

I have many around me, not particularly current cyclists but cyclists/ex cyclists who are mentors to me. I could name a lot!

How did you get involved in Cycling?

My family has always been very cycling orientated, through my dad, uncle and cousins. My cousins (Westley & Fraser) played a pretty influential part getting me involved, passing on their experience and knowledge.

Tell us about your training schedule:

Training for me varies throughout different times of the year. As I am a road and track cyclist, they are almost like a different disciple meaning there are specifics for each. Track phase will include high intensity sessions, with a lot of time in the gym and on the track, and my road phase would consist of more miles on the road meaning my riding time a week would almost double. In saying that, I am consistently training 6/7 days a week, some days being ‘double days’.

What are some of your career highlights to date?

1. 2014 Junior Points Race World Champion
2. 2014 Junior Madison World Champion
3. 2015 Elite Team Pursuit World Champion

What’s coming up for you?

I am targeting on the World Cup being held in Cambridge in December. New Zealand’s first World Cup, and will be very humbling to be wearing the World Champ rainbows in New Zealand. From then continuation of form into the World Champs and beyond to try and gain selection to Rio.

The post Welcome to the team Regan Gough! appeared first on Usana Health Sciences Organization.

We sat down with Adrian to chat about Judo, winning and vitamins, and here’s what he had to say…

How did you first hear about USANA?
I first heard of Usana through a fellow team mate who was taking your products at the time. We were training together in Europe and he offered some of Usana’s product to me to take

What’s your favourite product?
The Essentials are my favourite Usana product. With my busy schedule, I find I can get really tired. Taking the multi-mineral gives me reassurance that my body is getting all the right mineral’s it needs in order for me to stay healthy and on top of my game.

What’s your number 1 tip to staying fit and healthy?
Take Usana products, stay hydrated, eat right, train at least once a day, and try and get 8 hours sleep a night.

Who’s your sporting idol, and why?
There are a few. Rob Waddell is my favourite. As well as being a World and Olympic Champion, he is an extremely down-to-earth guy and very approachable. As the New Zealand Chef de Mission at the Commonwealth Games, he was extremely supportive of the athletes, turning up to each of sports’ training, as well as each competition day.

How did you get involved in Judo?
My dad first got me and my brothers into Judo. When he likes to tell a tall story, he’ll joke that me and my brothers were too afraid to walk down to the local shops in our neighbourhood for fear of some other local boys who hung out there. In reality, he wanted the boys to get off the couch, stop watching television, stop playing video games and learn some physical co-ordination and above all, gain some self-confidence. It just so happened one day he was on a job with our very first junior coach. My father explained that he had three sons and were looking to get them into a sport. My coach said “great! Bring them along”. I was six years old at the time and have never looked back!

Tell us about your training schedule:
It’s pretty hectic at the moment! I work full-time as an architectural designer which is a 830am – 530pm job. My training revolves around this. I wake up at 6am Monday-Thursday and head to the gym to do either my strength, power or conditioning  training (depending on what phase I’m in). I’ll train Saturday morning in gym sometimes too, depending on how tired I am from the week. Friday evening and Sunday morning I do more judo specific, high-intensity conditioning training. While based in Auckland I train Judo 4-5 times a week at two-three different clubs, and also with the Auckland squad. Monday, Tues, Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons are dedicated to judo training – 1.5 – 2hours each session. On Wednesday evenings, I’ll either have a sports massage or judo training. Lately, my body has needed the sports massage!

What are some of your career highlights to date?
My best career highlight to date has been my Silver at last year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. On top of that, competing at the World Champs in Rio in 2013 was a big highlight. Rio is the most amazing place I’ve been to date. Also, watching the Paris Grand Slam at Bercy Stadium last year was a real ‘judo experience’. It’s a highly renowned competition in the judo world. The stadium is packed every year with mad French fans who know and love their judo. I hope to compete there next Feburary.

What’s coming up for you?
Right now, I’m focused on the World Championships. I fly out in a week’s time and compete in about two and a half weeks’ time. Beyond that, my ultimate goal is to qualify for the Olympic Games in Rio next year. After the worlds, I’ll be looking to compete in as many competitions on the International circuit as possible to fight for precious ranking points that will qualify me for the Games.  

The post Meet Team USANA Athlete Adrian Leat! appeared first on Usana Health Sciences Organization.

Listen to the recording from Tuesday 5th May HERE

The post Mike Allsop on Newstalk ZB 5/5/15 appeared first on Usana Health Sciences Organization.

The year started with lots of promise, I was building up for just one big event, in Winnipeg in the middle of March and I had a good training block to back that up.  Things changed when 10 days out from my competition, I had a collision with my opponent on court.  The collision was accidental, but quite severe as I ran into him at an awkward angle knocking my head on his back.  I strained a nerve in my neck, strained my bicep and hit with enough force to give myself a concussion.

The recovery has been pretty slow, fortunately the concussion didn’t last too long, but the remainder of the symptoms have plagued me the rest of the month.  It has been 4 weeks and I have unfortunately not been back on court.  I started with a little cardio a week ago.  Just on the bike as running aggravates my shoulder symptoms and I am always surprised at what parts of the body effect others and something like an arm injury not allowing me to run has been frustrating.

From talking with physio’s and sports doctors, I am hopeful that I will be hitting by the end of this week which I am really excited for and I am looking forward to getting back to a regular training routine.

One thing that I am happy about, is that an injury like this can take up to 6 weeks to heal, it looks like I might be back in around 5.  I definitely attribute some of that success to USANA and their fantastic supplements.  Just knowing that I am putting quality products in my body to help aid my recovery has been a big mental lift and I can’t wait to get back on court and for my next competition.

The post Overcoming Obstacles appeared first on Usana Health Sciences Organization.

The games will be held in Glasgow this year from the 23^rd July through to the 3^rd August and dates back to 1930, when the very first games were held. This sporting event is a Commonwealth tradition which is held every four years and has a total of 71 member countries competing.

1. Definition of Commonwealth Games (npl)
   Com·mon·wealth Games
   British sports contest: a sports contest held every four years involving participants from countries of the British Commonwealth

Meet the competing Team USANA Athletes:

David Bishop – NZ Gymnast

David Bishop – Gymnast

Currently the national New Zealand gymnastic champion, David has practised his sport for 16 dedicated years and is aiming to win a medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. David says, “I have made the NZ team for Commonwealth Games. I’m very happy to be selected; it has been my number 1 goal for the last 4 years. I am so very grateful for the support from USANA and their help to get me to where I am.”

Keep an eye out for David competing from the 28^th July to the 30^th July.

Martin Knight – NZ Squash Player

Martin Knight – Squash

Martin Knight is a professional squash player who is currently ranked #1 in New Zealand and won silver in the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Martin’s game will be in the afternoon of the 31^st July, sometime between 11:30am and 4pm, and we’re backing him to bring home another medal to add to the collection!

Gillies Kaka – NZ Sevens Player

Gillies Kaka – Rugby Sevens Team

After playing for the Hawkes Bay Magpies, World Series Dream Team and winning the Rugby Sevens World Cup Player of the Tournament (2013), Gillies Kaka has been selected for the Rugby Sevens team to represent NZ in the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Gillies is also one of our newest Team USANA athletes and we’re excited to have him on board! Watch out for Gillies game on the 27^th July.

Ricky Yue – Shooter

Zhao Yue (Ricky) – Shooting

Ricky is another of our newly sponsored Team USANA athletes, and is a top New Zealand shooting star! He is the only New Zealander to qualify for the Pistol Shooting category and will be competing between the 25^th and the 29^th July.

Leroy Hindley – NZ Boxer

Leroy Hindley – Boxing

We’re very proud to announce that Leroy Hindley, who is currently ranked #1 64kg boxer in New Zealand, is our newest Team USANA athlete. Leroy will also be competing at the upcoming Commonwealth Games and we’ll be cheering him on all the way!!

With a total of 17 sports in the 2014 Commonwealth Games, USANA New Zealand is over the moon to have sponsored athletes competing in five of these categories.

Go Team USANA!!

By Amanda Tutty
Field Development
USANA New Zealand

The post Team USANA Athletes compete in 2014 Commonwealth Games! appeared first on Usana Health Sciences Organization.

Well the office has been buzzing with exciting news! We are very happy to welcome Olympian Kayaker, Tate Smith, USANA’s newest Sponsored Athlete onto the USANA Athlete program!
Our new Athlete, Tate currently lives on the beautiful Gold Coast in Australia. Tate always had an interest in water sports and started as a nipper at North Bondi Surf Club in Sydney. After winning the Australian Junior Ski title, he decided he wanted to represent Australia at the Olympics in kayaking and moved up to the Gold Coast. This was when Tate also made the switch from Surf Lifesaving Ski paddling to Flatwater Kayaking. Tate was fortunate enough to represent Australia and race in the K4 1000m event at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Since then Tate, has become the captain of the Australian Men’s K4 1000m team, who in 2011 finished 2nd at the 2011 Canoe Sprint World Championships in Hungary. This result was the best for a men’s K4 in Australian history, which is a huge accomplishment! This year Tate will be competing at the London Olympics, so it will be full steam ahead!

So get ready to cheer for our latest Athlete, Tate once the Olympics start!

Feel free to check out Tate’s website: tsmith.com.au

The post Have you met our newest star? appeared first on Usana Health Sciences Organization.

“It is important that I take products that are safe and of the highest quality. This is what USANA represents.” – Samantha Stosur, Tennis Player, Champion of the US Open 2011, Australia

Did you know that “couch potatoes” often live longer than professional athletes? This might sound like a lie, but the extreme exercise a professional athlete endures, means they place more strain on their bodies than the average person. An athlete sweats more in 5 years than an inactive person does in 75 years, which means they’re losing more nutrients from their bodies.

But professional athletes treat their bodies like temples, and they know how important it is to replace these nutrients and look after their bodies to stay healthy and fit. But how do you replace all these lost nutrients?


The athlete’s secret weapon is nutritional supplements. And more and more athletes are turning to USANA to provide them with all natural, scientifically proven nutrition for optimum health.

“USANA was a key difference in my winning the gold and setting the world record at the 2002 Winter Games.” – Derek Parra, Olympic Gold and Silver Medal winning US Speedskater.

Even if you’re not a professional athlete, you still want to perform at your best in everyday life. Whether you’re training for a marathon, enjoying a new sport or simply trying to stay fit and healthy, you know the importance of good nutrition in your life.

Sometimes it’s impossible to get all the nutrients our bodies need from food alone. This is especially true today, when many nutrient-rich foods are grown, processed and stored in a way that depletes their nutritional value. Taking nutritional supplements from USANA’s Essentials range keep your body in top form.

“USANA Essentials have made an amazing difference to my health. I feel that my body is stronger and healthier, and recovers faster when I use it.” – Britta Martin, Triathlete and Triathlon coach

Professional athletes may put more pressure on their bodies, but they live healthy, active lives and reap the benefits of pushing themselves to their limit. Their secret for success is making sure they’re getting all the nutrients they need. If you want to be healthy, fit and in control, you should, too.

The post Professional Athletes know the secret to achieving their best – you can too! appeared first on Usana Health Sciences Organization.