An Interview from the Archives
D. Levi Harrison, MD
December 16, 2000
Location: Newsroom Restaurant, West Hollywood, CA
Producer-Interviewer: Adele Hodge, Write Light, Inc.
How did you get interested in fitness outside of the medical area?
Before even going to medical school, I was a personal trainer for several years. Being an athlete all my life, but not being a great athlete, as I got older I just felt that I could be a better person, a healthier person. I felt if I attained a level of fitness that was very high, I could hopefully help and impact the lives of other people. I felt if I got very fit I could teach people about fitness, what I call—it’s a book actually that I want to write one day entitled The Joy of Fitness: Everyone Should Do It.
Being fit is so life enhancing. It enhances your creativity and is one of the greatest things you can do for yourself. One thing about fitness, no one can do it for you. You can go for the lipo tuck, the eyelid change, all of that, but the bottom line is fitness and exercise won’t leave any scars, lipo will. Embrace exercise. It’s a wonderful way to enhance the quality of your life and those around you, because it’s also a mood stabilizer.
Who are some of the people you serve?
I think of all my clients as celebrities, not just the ones who truly have that title. I give celebrity quality to everyone I train. As far as celebrities go, Val Kilmer, George Hamilton, Lesley-Anne Warren, Shirley Harris Wagner, Elgin Charles, Don Paul Jones. I’ve really had a wonderful career as a trainer and as a physician. I’m grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to impact the lives of people in a way that makes them want to exercise. You don’t need a gym to exercise. All you need are two things commitment to yourself and a body, if you have those, you can exercise.
Give me your best and worst experience as a trainer.
One of the best people I’ve worked with was George Hamilton. He was committed to looking beautiful and did not mind doing the work. When we started, he had no idea how intense I was going to be. The trainers he had initially were very gentle. I thought his body needed intensity and voracity, and I gave him that.
Do you follow-up?
I always do. Every month or two months. I change their program every two months because cross training and diversity can enhance one’s level of fitness.
And the worst?
The worst, a husband and wife here in L A, actually in Hollywood, I went to their home to work them out. I thought I could do it, but it didn’t work for me. They answered the door with no clothes on. They were nudist and wanted to work out in the buff. I did it for three days, and then, just because of safety and hygiene issues I thought, no I can’t do this. They could not understand why. Maybe it’s my own idiosyncrasies, but that didn’t work for me. They were committed to getting fit and they did work with a trainer after that for like a year or so and did really well. Nudity and fitness, they don’t necessarily go together, at least not at the same time.
What can be done to relieve tension in immediately stressful situations?
There are multiple ways to deal with that. One, for example, when you are in a confrontational type atmosphere, remind yourself , and then ask yourself—am I reacting or responding to the situation. Am I giving them what they want to hear, or am I giving them my truth? If we stay in a zone of truthful living, we’re going to give them what they need to hear, and give them the way we live; our principles, morals, and character.
We always want speak and do things in ways that are a reflection of our character, and Godliness. That’s so important. Other times, in a situation that’s not the best, just think of it as a challenge. So, in your mind count to 10. Say okay, before I answer, I’m going to look them right in the eye, relax, focus, remain non-confrontational, and speak truth. A truth, which I can live by; a truth which is a reflection of who I am, what I am and what I want to tell them.
It’s important to consider adding a time for prayer. Pray at any time. Prayer is anything that gives us a feeling of connection outside of ourselves. We then know whatever we’re dealing with, if we don’t feel we can handle it there is, as people learn with 12 step programs, a power outside of us we can tune into and rely on, that is always willing and available to give help in whatever way it is needed in our lives.
How does diet help?
That’s a great question. Diet is extraordinarily important. It’s important to get away from the traditional three large meals a day. It’s important to go back to a system of eating five to six small healthy meals per day. And the meals should include mainly fruit, nuts, vegetables, grains, maybe a small amount of turkey, chicken, pork or beef, if one eats those things, and of course, fish. Stay away from frozen food, anything that’s in a bag, fried foods. Eat foods that are boiled, broiled or baked, the three big Bs. They accentuate our health and fitness. When we eat healthy, we have more energy, feel better, and stimulate our creativity.
Value not eating a lot of sugar. Sugar can push us into diabetes and poor glucose control. It can speed us up, and anything that can speed us up can drop us off. So, less sugar, and no coffee. Often I feel everything in moderation, but coffee, I say just cut it out. What’s the true purpose it serves, but to, “give us an eye-opener.” That’s the same way alcoholics get their day started, by saying I can’t get my day started until I have a drink—how many people tell us they can’t get their day started until they have their cup of coffee. So again, no coffee, decrease the sugar, fried foods, pastries and candies we eat, and watch the alcohol. I want to say, as passionately as I can, please don’t smoke. If you want to hurt yourself, if you don’t want to be healed, if you really want to live a life with very little quality and a decreased life span—smoke.
I entreat you to not smoke; especially around people you love. If you do, you’re saying you not only don’t love yourself, but you don’t love them.
Is there any other comment on life and fitness?
Fitness is one of the most underrated aphrodisiacs and life enhancing elixirs. It’s important to embrace it because life is worth living. Living a quality, healthy, happy life is truly a blessing. I say to everyone, value your life, value your health; exercise. Make that commitment to yourself.
In America, we are often caught up with the thought that we must have the bodies of models, actors and athletes. Everybody is not going to have an athletic body, and few people have the time to workout and invest in their body the way a professional athlete does. It doesn’t mean, however, that you can’t invest in your body the way you should, which is exercise--three to five times a week, 40 minutes to an hour. It’s important to embrace fitness and make it a part of daily life.
Editor’s Note: The book D. Levi Harrison mentioned in this interview more than a decade ago is now a reality. It was released in December 2011 and can be purchased online or at popular book retail outlets. Go to www.theartoffitnessbook.com for more information. Dr. Harrison is an Orthopaedic Surgeon based in Glendale, California. Discover more about him at www.drleviharrison.com.(Photo: Antonio Busiello, Courtesy of Barnes & Noble)
D. Levi Harrison, MD
December 16, 2000
Location: Newsroom Restaurant, West Hollywood, CA
Producer-Interviewer: Adele Hodge, Write Light, Inc.
How did you get interested in fitness outside of the medical area?
Before even going to medical school, I was a personal trainer for several years. Being an athlete all my life, but not being a great athlete, as I got older I just felt that I could be a better person, a healthier person. I felt if I attained a level of fitness that was very high, I could hopefully help and impact the lives of other people. I felt if I got very fit I could teach people about fitness, what I call—it’s a book actually that I want to write one day entitled The Joy of Fitness: Everyone Should Do It.
Being fit is so life enhancing. It enhances your creativity and is one of the greatest things you can do for yourself. One thing about fitness, no one can do it for you. You can go for the lipo tuck, the eyelid change, all of that, but the bottom line is fitness and exercise won’t leave any scars, lipo will. Embrace exercise. It’s a wonderful way to enhance the quality of your life and those around you, because it’s also a mood stabilizer.
Who are some of the people you serve?
I think of all my clients as celebrities, not just the ones who truly have that title. I give celebrity quality to everyone I train. As far as celebrities go, Val Kilmer, George Hamilton, Lesley-Anne Warren, Shirley Harris Wagner, Elgin Charles, Don Paul Jones. I’ve really had a wonderful career as a trainer and as a physician. I’m grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to impact the lives of people in a way that makes them want to exercise. You don’t need a gym to exercise. All you need are two things commitment to yourself and a body, if you have those, you can exercise.
Give me your best and worst experience as a trainer.
One of the best people I’ve worked with was George Hamilton. He was committed to looking beautiful and did not mind doing the work. When we started, he had no idea how intense I was going to be. The trainers he had initially were very gentle. I thought his body needed intensity and voracity, and I gave him that.
Do you follow-up?
I always do. Every month or two months. I change their program every two months because cross training and diversity can enhance one’s level of fitness.
And the worst?
The worst, a husband and wife here in L A, actually in Hollywood, I went to their home to work them out. I thought I could do it, but it didn’t work for me. They answered the door with no clothes on. They were nudist and wanted to work out in the buff. I did it for three days, and then, just because of safety and hygiene issues I thought, no I can’t do this. They could not understand why. Maybe it’s my own idiosyncrasies, but that didn’t work for me. They were committed to getting fit and they did work with a trainer after that for like a year or so and did really well. Nudity and fitness, they don’t necessarily go together, at least not at the same time.
What can be done to relieve tension in immediately stressful situations?
There are multiple ways to deal with that. One, for example, when you are in a confrontational type atmosphere, remind yourself , and then ask yourself—am I reacting or responding to the situation. Am I giving them what they want to hear, or am I giving them my truth? If we stay in a zone of truthful living, we’re going to give them what they need to hear, and give them the way we live; our principles, morals, and character.
We always want speak and do things in ways that are a reflection of our character, and Godliness. That’s so important. Other times, in a situation that’s not the best, just think of it as a challenge. So, in your mind count to 10. Say okay, before I answer, I’m going to look them right in the eye, relax, focus, remain non-confrontational, and speak truth. A truth, which I can live by; a truth which is a reflection of who I am, what I am and what I want to tell them.
It’s important to consider adding a time for prayer. Pray at any time. Prayer is anything that gives us a feeling of connection outside of ourselves. We then know whatever we’re dealing with, if we don’t feel we can handle it there is, as people learn with 12 step programs, a power outside of us we can tune into and rely on, that is always willing and available to give help in whatever way it is needed in our lives.
How does diet help?
That’s a great question. Diet is extraordinarily important. It’s important to get away from the traditional three large meals a day. It’s important to go back to a system of eating five to six small healthy meals per day. And the meals should include mainly fruit, nuts, vegetables, grains, maybe a small amount of turkey, chicken, pork or beef, if one eats those things, and of course, fish. Stay away from frozen food, anything that’s in a bag, fried foods. Eat foods that are boiled, broiled or baked, the three big Bs. They accentuate our health and fitness. When we eat healthy, we have more energy, feel better, and stimulate our creativity.
Value not eating a lot of sugar. Sugar can push us into diabetes and poor glucose control. It can speed us up, and anything that can speed us up can drop us off. So, less sugar, and no coffee. Often I feel everything in moderation, but coffee, I say just cut it out. What’s the true purpose it serves, but to, “give us an eye-opener.” That’s the same way alcoholics get their day started, by saying I can’t get my day started until I have a drink—how many people tell us they can’t get their day started until they have their cup of coffee. So again, no coffee, decrease the sugar, fried foods, pastries and candies we eat, and watch the alcohol. I want to say, as passionately as I can, please don’t smoke. If you want to hurt yourself, if you don’t want to be healed, if you really want to live a life with very little quality and a decreased life span—smoke.
I entreat you to not smoke; especially around people you love. If you do, you’re saying you not only don’t love yourself, but you don’t love them.
Is there any other comment on life and fitness?
Fitness is one of the most underrated aphrodisiacs and life enhancing elixirs. It’s important to embrace it because life is worth living. Living a quality, healthy, happy life is truly a blessing. I say to everyone, value your life, value your health; exercise. Make that commitment to yourself.
In America, we are often caught up with the thought that we must have the bodies of models, actors and athletes. Everybody is not going to have an athletic body, and few people have the time to workout and invest in their body the way a professional athlete does. It doesn’t mean, however, that you can’t invest in your body the way you should, which is exercise--three to five times a week, 40 minutes to an hour. It’s important to embrace fitness and make it a part of daily life.
Editor’s Note: The book D. Levi Harrison mentioned in this interview more than a decade ago is now a reality. It was released in December 2011 and can be purchased online or at popular book retail outlets. Go to www.theartoffitnessbook.com for more information. Dr. Harrison is an Orthopaedic Surgeon based in Glendale, California. Discover more about him at www.drleviharrison.com.(Photo: Antonio Busiello, Courtesy of Barnes & Noble)