Philip Jerrell Menagh … PJ Occupation: Air Force 1LT Nutrition Program Manager – Ramstein Health and Wellness Center (HAWC). B.S. from Oregon State University Department of Nutrition and Exercise Science; completed options in both Dietetics & Nutrition Science. Registered Dietitian, Crossfit Level 1 Certified Trainer, PTL 301/Total Fit Certified PTL, and Instructor for PTL 301 courses. Started CrossFitting in October 2008 just after PCSing to Ramstein. Joined Crossfit Ramstein in Dec 2008 … drank the Kool Aid immediately! Competed in European Qualifiers 2009-- learned what it feels like to be dominated! At the HAWC—Teaches classes on weight management, cholesterol and chronic disease, sports nutrition, and fitness improvement. Individual counseling for complex nutrition-diagnosis and pediatrics. Started studying nutrition as a wrestler in high school—interested in how to manage weight effectively while maintaining strength and performance. Continued as he studied it in college both for his degree and to aid him in his performance on the Oregon State Lacrosse Team. Current activities include an obsession with CrossFit and boxing as a hobby. Random Ramblings and Beliefs: A scientist by nature … devours literature trying to find practical methods for improving the health of our population and improving his own performance while maintaining his health. Long term health is his primary goal and it is key to take steps to maintain all aspects of health [including sleep and stress management, lifestyle, success, and happiness in addition to nutrition and exercise] while we seek greater fitness and performance. Obtaining one without the other is failure. Strives to stay on cutting edge of wellness research. However, inputs don’t work as predictably in the body as they do in a beaker. There is not a single expert out there who knows everything about every process in the body. If he tells you he does, he is lying … the human body is just too complex. All we can do is educate ourselves as best as we can, try, measure, and adapt based on our results. The human body is the ultimate experiment laboratory. We are our own test tubes. Lets his own performance, blood measures, and other indicators of health stand as his testament to effectiveness. He's transparent and will not make any recommendations that he has not tried himself. Testing is key in finding what works for you. Perfecting the application of exercise and nutrition are long-term endeavors. In regards to exercise, he strongly believes in building technique. It’s not just about the WOD. No crossfitter should make a habit of leaving the gym without practicing at least one fundamental skill. It will take you years to master the air squat. Even longer to get even “decent” at the clean. If you train with PJ, be prepared to spend much time in the bottom of the air squat pushing out your knees, striving for every last millimeter of chest height and lumbar curve. be prepared to be asked about your diet. Be prepared to check your ego and scale your workouts. The results that come with be well worth it. And, maybe … just maybe, you'll even have a little fun. If you would like to contact PJ, send him an e-mail to this address:  pj@crossfitramstein.com