I have been active all my life.  I have played sports and worked out for as long as I could remember.  Weight never seemed to be an issue.  I have some friends who were a few years older than me and would always say wait until you hit 30 - this happens, wait until you hit 35, that happens, wait until you hit 40 ..., Well I hit 30 and it was harder to get out of bed, at 35 my body ached a little more and at 37 the weight started to stay on my body regardless of how much I worked out.  
     I started working out with Tom in February 2009 weighing around 243.  In May of 2009, I made a decision that would change my life.  After discussing with Tom, I decided to try the UTC.  I was worried about being hungry, staying committed and fighting off cravings.  None of my concerns ever became an issue.  The UTC is a program that makes losing weight relatively simple and easy.  This program provides those who take the journey with the knowledge and structure required to not only lose weight but to change your lifestyle.  The program was easy to follow, the format and blogging make it easy to maintain focus and stay committed and the group lectures provide insight into the Nutrition industry that is very eye-opening.  After partaking in the UTC, I lost 30 lbs and have changed my life for the better  I am leaner an stronger than I was at 30.  Once the UTC ends, you don't want to go back to the way it was before.  Tom and the UTC provide you with the tools to change your life for the better.  It is not a diet, it is a way of life.

I was asked to write a few sentences about my experience with the UTC and realized that it is just plain silly or impossible. How can I put into words a program that addresses all the aspects of real change in a few sentences? It would take at least 12 weeks for me to share everything that has improved in my life as a direct result of the UTC. By then, if you decide to take the challenge, you will realize what I mean. My before and after pictures will never show the depth of change that has taken place on the inside. This is a comprehensive program that returned the fun back into my life… I am no longer an observer of my own life; I’m a happy participant in it!

      In January of 2008 I was so far gone that I thought my life was over… over in the sense that it was never going to be as fun as it once was. Boy was I wrong! After participating in 2 consecutive UTC’s, my life has turned around in so many ways. While some people may be impressed with the outer change in my appearance, there was a much deeper change that occurred as a result of this comprehensive program.  I often have trouble explaining the constant state of content and happiness that I’m in each day… but that is what this program has given to me. It’s not a diet… it’s not an exercise program… it’s a new way to look at and participate in your own life.

      At one point I was 255 pounds, 4 broken ankles, multiple ligament tears, 5 knee surgeries, broken elbows, bone mice in each elbow joint, multiple shoulder separations, multiple broken wrists, widespread arthritis from my shoulders to my ankles, and my nose has been broken at least 3 times. As a participant in contact sports my whole life, I was told by my doctor what I should never do again. I was warned that I would need 2 new knees and a new hip soon. Don’t run… don’t squat… don’t lift your arms over your head… they might as well have said don’t have any more fun! Then I was introduced to the UTC… 17 months later my knees have never felt better, I’m running and playing lacrosse again, power lifting, bodybuilding, and having more fun then I ever thought a 51 year old person should be allowed to have. I have maintained a 75 to 80 pound weight loss and continue to raise many standards in my life. Before the UTC I had many legitimate clinical excuses why I couldn’t… after 2 consecutive UTC programs, I have regained the thrill of life and have placed my focus on what I can do, not what I can’t do. If you were asked "how much would you invest in your life to get it back?" what would your answer be? My answer is this… 2 UTC programs and a constant commitment to the principles of the program. There is no dollar amount that can be placed on the way I feel about my life right now! Looking back, it was the best investment I have ever made. A special thanks to Tom Phillips for creating a comprehensive program that leaves no stone unturned. Questions? Email me at laxcrunch@optonline.net. Be sure to put UTC Question in the subject line of your email."

Tom invited me to do the UTC that summer, but I did not think I would be able to handle it, so I “counted points” for a few months, and was very proud of myself for losing 20lbs by mid-October.  A few weeks later, however, when I stopped losing weight, I realized that I did not feel any better, and my bench press had declined with my weight loss.  My friends who had done UTC and lost about the same 20 lbs were saying that they felt fantastic, and their strength had increased.

In January of 2010, weighing 228 lbs, I reaffirmed my commitment to weighing under 200lbs by April and made the best health decision I had ever made.  I started the UTC with Tom and Jody, and I believe I have changed my life forever.  I did reach my goal, and finished at 198 lbs, but so many more important things happened as well.  I have learned not just what to eat, but how, when, and why.  My bench press is at a new high, and I am more active than I ever have been.   Many people think that the activity is a big part of my success on the program, but I see it the other way around.  The program has made me healthy enough to be as active as I am.I can’t thank Tom and Jody enough for their guidance in helping me get on the right track.

       In January 2010 I was introduced to Tom Phillips by Bryan Klein, my kids Tae Kwon Do instructor, and my life changed for the better.  I am 44 years old and work 6 days a week running a catering business. In addition I have a wife and three kids so needless to say I am very busy with no time for anything beyond the weekly grind or so I thought. Many of my friends and family believed I looked good for my age and at 185 lbs was in no way over weight or out of shape, but I believed differently.  After seeing an incredible and unbelievable change in Bryan, I wanted to know what he did and that's when I met Tom.

     Initially I joined the UTC to lose weight and get in shape, little did I know, the UTC is much more then a weight transformation program, it's a life transformation program. Through the UTC program, Tom has not only helped me lose 35 Lbs in 12 weeks but he has also helped me find the courage to seek out more ways to challenge myself. The seminars in the program have provided me with a trermendous wealth of knowledge and the information I learned goes way beyond how to lose weight.   I cannot express enough how fantastic the UTC program is.  I am grateful to know someone like Tom who is very dedicated in helping anyone reach their desired potential.

Admittedly, I was one of the skeptics before starting the Fit for Life challenge.  I know a few people who did it last Fall and tried to get me to do it then.  At 161lbs at 5'10" I was pretty lean and did not think I really had weight to lose so I decided not to do it...then I saw their after pictures.  That's all it took for me to realize how wrong I was.  As a fourth degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, I've always been in great shape and work out regularly, but I wasn't getting the complete results I thought I should have been getting from all of the working out I was doing.  Through this program I learned so much in the way of how to eat right, proper diet, healthy living and even (through my one on one workout sessions with Tom) how to exercise smarter and more correctly (proper techniques, etc).  I can honestly say I am in better shape, faster, stronger and weigh less now at 148lbs than I did when I was 16 in high school!  I am finally able to achieve the results I always knew were possible, but never quite hit.  There is no other way to put it...This challenge changed my life.

I took some time to reflect on the program, the knowledge gained through the seminars and the complete change is my body and soul. Today I was working out at 7:30AM in the city requiring awakening at 5:00AM and I was at work by 9:00AM, in yesteryear I would wake up at 8:00AM and did not get to work before 10.  I just finished some very delicious steamed chicken and mixed vegetables, a year ago it would have been an overstuffed burrito. My greatest enjoyment in this new life is watching other enjoy food at restaurants that actually taste like something other than cardboard. And I have no clothes, every season I have to restock. Lastly, I recently received a call from the Turkey Hill Ice Cream company, they noticed a substantial decrease in sales within Monmouth County and traced the decline to me. They are concerned that I switched to another brand.

My name is Charlie Weingroff.  I am a physical therapist, strength and conditioning coach, and personal trainer that has been a colleague with Thomas Phillips for almost 4 years now since returning to NJ.  For appropriate disclosure for this testimonial, Tom is not only a professional colleague, he is a training partner, one of my best friends, and a very important person in my life.  I hope you can look past these jades as I discuss my experience with the UTC.  In typical fashion, aside from Tom and some others, as a clinician of movement, I don't practice what I preach all the time.  Heads or tails, I have had shoulder pain of varying levels in both shoulders for some time.  In September of 2010, I was resigned to get surgery on the left shoulder.  It wasn't by any means mandatory, but I had it in my head that I was going to get it done.  So to prep for a late December surgery, I decided to try to get into the best shape of my life.  Part of that was leaving some hours on the table @ work, training 4-5 times/week with Tom, and following the UTC with my wife.  A few months go by, 35 pounds later and no need for surgery, need I say more that the UTC is the real deal?

I have always trained  and  thought that I ate healthy  all of my life, and that at my age losing anymore more weight from the 195lb frame was going to require an extreme diet that with my lifestyle was not going to be possible. What I soon found out that many of the issues that I associated with getting old     (ache joints,  headaches, lack of energy , etc…) was nothing but the food I was putting into my body!  I was amazed to find out that all of the fat free, reduced fat, processed foods were in fact causing my problems and was the source of my  inability to lose weight. In twelve short weeks I went from 195 lbs to 172 lbs , have never felt better nor stronger and with energy to spare and without ever feeling hungry, in fact many time I was told that I was not eating enough! UTC not only changed my life but that of my wife and kids! It has been close to three months since the UTC challenge has ended and I am 170 lbs and continue to feel great and am applying all that I learned in the seminars about nutrition and  fitness.

I have trained in martial arts for over 25 years and I never felt the need to go on a "diet" and I didn't. I met Tom Phillips who taught me how to eat when to eat and what to eat and why to eat it. The Ultimate Transformation Challenge was a life changing experience for me and it will be for anyone that does it and follows the guidelines. The seminars along with the personalized attention gave me a vast amount of knowledge, that I will be able to use for a life time. I would not have been able to excel physically to the point that I am at without the UTC.
Thank you Tom & Jody.

I've always consider myself an active and healthy person. I'm a 2nd degree black belt and I hit the gym 5 days a week. And I love to eat. I never could get tight abs or lower my body fat. So, with the support of my wonderful wife and 3 kids, I challenged myself to this life changing experience with hand-on support from Tom and Jody. This program help me to cut my body fat from 13.6% to a tight 7.1%.  I lost 22lbs. 3 inch off the waist line (had to buy new pants). Also my strength has increase at the gym, even with the weight lost. This was a fun and amazing experience. I can't thank you enough Tom and Jody.

The 12 Week Challenge Changed my life.  I have been working out for over 5 years.  I accomplished in 12 weeks what I could not do in 5 years.  I FINALLY HAVE THE BODY I ALWAYS WANTED!  Its funny, after seeing my pictures people tell me I should compete.  Thank you Tom, Jody and my trainer Steve!  You are not only great people, you are also my friends.  Thank you for changing my life.

I can’t thank you and Jody enough. I’m turning forty eight in ten days. I have never felt or looked better in my whole life. I have lost a total of 52 lbs in 2 ½ years, the last and hardest 22 -24 lbs in the last 7 months training with you. You taught me to look at food and training in a totally different and better way, which has changed my life forever, I complained (all the time) through this, LOL, doubting most things that you told me, you proved me wrong, and I’m grateful for that. I am looking forward to continuing this amazing journey with you. You’re a great motivator, trainer and most of all a friend.

I just wanted to take a moment to say thanks for an amazing experience. Through your leadership and example you and Jody have taught me that there is no need to settle for mediocrity! Higher levels of health and fitness is attainable for all of us and your program makes it easy to make it a way of life!

You guys charge way too little for this program... it's amazing, you should charge 10 times the price.

I used to train with Jody and was always inspired by her.  Running into her at Target 14 weeks ago was the best thing that happened to me.  She explained the 12 week challenge and I decided to invest in myself and give it a try.  Twelve weeks later I feel great!  The sugar cravings are gone and I am enjoying foods that I never thought possible.  I feel confident that I can keep the weight off because of the invaluable tools Tom and Jody have taught me.  The roller-coaster ride is finally over.

The UTC is not your Mother's diet. Matter of fact it's much more then a diet, any diet that I've ever tried. It's a life style change to a healthy way of living and enjoying life to its fullest potential.  Tom, Jody and their Fit For Life health facility gave me a crystal clear blueprint of how and what to do to lose weight, keep if off, get healthy and stay in shape. If you want a comprehensive, yet easy to understand game plan detailing knowledge and education on how to implement the UTC and make it work, then this program is right for you. Actually it's right for anybody of any age group that has the same desires as I.
     At 46 years old I lost over 20 lbs exercising and eating right doing the UTC. I look good but more importantly I feel amazing. My energy level increased dramatically and my mind and body are stronger then ever. Now one year later I'm doing the UTC for a 2nd time. Not because I gained weight. Oh no, quite the contrary. I'm doing it again because this time around I want to go to that next level, to take my body, mind and spirit to where it has never gone before. And I know Tom, Jody and my Fit for Life trainer Steve will continue to help me get their and achieve my goals.
     So whether you just want to lose some weight & get healthy, or train for that body competition you always dreamed of, the UTC is without a doubt right for you. All you need to do is ask yourself; what are my goals? What's holding me back? Why have these other diets never worked or seemed right for me before? The answer is simple, you just have not been exposed to the power of change the UTC can give to you. It's a gift. The time has come to chose between what you want now and what you want most.

The UTC experience is bigger than any of my words can ultimately convey but here's a start... The UTC has empowered me to make better decisions, ask better questions and live a better life.  Tom brought it back to the basics while recharging my mind, body and soul! Success to me is defined as empowering people to want to be and do better, inspiring them with real life stories and invigorating their souls.  These are the all traits of an amazing leader and mentor that you find in Tom through the process.  "You know it's never to late to shoot for the stars regardsless of who you are." Look around, let these transformations inspire you and the rewards will be limitless.

“The level of stress in your life has absolutely nothing to do with what you choose to put in your mouth!”   This is a quote that Tom posted on the UTC blog back in the spring.  I always used stress as an excuse to over eat.  It is a good excuse and everybody agrees with you too!!!  But then I joined the  ULTIMATE TRANSFORMATION CHALLENGE. 
My name is Barbara Gasser.  I am 53 years old and have been on a constant diet (off and on) since college.  I have 22 diet books, countless vitamins, and cans of protein powder and detox juices all promising the same results.  I have been on every program in the last 30 years that has come on the market.
I love to exercise, play tennis, and keep active but I could never get the eating portion of my programs UNTIL NOW.
I am training with Matt Maher for a year now and have always complained to him about my weight (what else is new).  He had met Thomas Phillips at a seminar and eventually became part of the FIT for Life team.  Matt told me about the UTC and convinced me to joi.  My husband was hesitant about me joining but I assured him that this would be the last time and I was going to try and lose the weight.   Matt felt very strongly about the successes of the UTC and knew this would be a good step for me.
I jumped in with open arms and a clear mind as I have done in the past but not sure how long I would hold out.  I was amazed at how easy the program is to follow.  I had no cravings and felt satisfied at every Phase of the program.  The first 2 weeks I dropped 10 pounds and never felt hungry.  Tom also provided motivational seminars and eye opening facts that made me realize I am not on a diet but a total transformation of my food intake and my life.  After 12 weeks I dropped 32 pounds and I am still continuing on my weight loss to reach a goal I never felt I could get to at my age.
I hope to motivate another person’s life with this transformation STORY because I truly believe if I can do it anybody can.  I work full time as a sales representative and travel in my car 5 days a week.  I eat most of my meals in my car driving to and from appointments.  I am a wife and mother of two children, maintain a household, and cook almost every night for my family.  So if you have an excuse why you can’t commit I believe I have covered most of them.  Everybody is busy and stressed but eating properly can’t be easier with the UTC program.  Feeling good and fueling your body properly will reduce the stress we create in our lives.
In closing, I would like to thank Matt for introducing me to Tom and Jody and being a great support.  He never gave up on me and I know he could have.
To Tom and Jody for having this awesome fitness studio and providing a UTC program that EVERYONE can succeed as long as YOU are complaint.