Joyce Vedral is a legend in her own time!! In fact, in many ways, it was Joyce who gently edged women into daring to pick up weights for the first time.  Yes. Joyce is responsible for getting women from Iowa to work out-as their bodybuilding sons stood by in awe. “Mom, I can’t believe you’re doing biceps curls” became a familiar cry.

But who is Joyce Vedral and how did she become a fitness expert?  Joyce, a PhD in English Literature, taught in the New York City school system, grades K-12, and  then became a professor of English Literature, teaching on the college level.  As the years went by, the pounds packed on until she began to be embarrassed to stand in front of her class.  After trying many failed diets and workout plans, she consulted with bodybuilders and experimented with their techniques, reinventing them for “real people” (specifically women, then later for men).  Shortly thereafter, she became a certified personal trainer and later, put her secrets into book, video and DVD form.

But that’s just the beginning. From the time Joyce first appeared on the Sally Jesse Raphael show in 1991 to the present, her books, videos and DVDS have sold nearly two million copies.  Her books have been on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists four times and have been bestsellers in Australia and several other countries.

So what is Joyce’s secret to success. To put it bluntly, “she’s for real.”  If Joyce says something, you can take it to the bank.  A Bronx native, she pulls no punches and knows how to get to the point.  What you see is what you get. As she will let you know, her five foot body is perfectly proportioned, but not perfect.  Joyce says, “I came in last in my early thirties when I foolishly entered a beauty contest.”  She likes to tell the story about how her Russian family is overweight and look like boxes on wheels.  Well, some of them now follow her routines, so the thought of thinking of themselves as boxes is a thing of the past!!

Joyce says, “I answer every letter and every email because I am thrilled to be able to share the secret of how to get in shape and  STAY in  shape. But not only that.  I’m talking to myself when I talk to these women  (and men too).  I worked two jobs and was a single mother when I invented my workouts.  I write for those who have lives—who don’t have all day to spend working out.  I write for people who want a workout that gets the most bang for their workout buck!

Joyce’s daughter, Marthe, stars with her in her DVDS. She is a sought after guest and has appeared frequently on Oprah, Montel Williams, and Today. In addition, she is in-demand on the lecture circuit. In additin to her fitness books and DVD’s,  Joyce has also written the popular motivational books "Get Rid of Him," and Look In, Look Up, Look Out.



DAVE
People think Dave is fat, but he's not. He's just muscular!! -- like me. In fact, we work out together. I'll never forget the time I saw Dave skulking across the floor with what I thought was a treasured bone. NO. It was a ten pound dumbbell held firmly in his relentless jaw!! Dave is not a dog -- he's a person. He's the first thing I hear in the morning as his low whine slowly evolves into a piercing bark if I don't give him the respect of getting out of bed in ten minutes, and he's the last thing I hear at night as his gentle rhythmic snore from the kitchen lulls me to sleep. It's hard to imagine life without Dave. He's my amigo!! I named Dave after my father because, like my father, he's both tough & gentle.