By: Jessica Wyland

Meghan Gordon lived her life at two polar extremes – an athlete training at a military academy, and a near-invalid suffering through surgeries – before she finally found her balance.  

Those who see Meghan working out in the gym now would never guess that the fit, vivacious 35-year-old spent eight years bedridden and battling mixed connective tissue disease and lupus. It is difficult to imagine her crippled with severe pain, a chronic sore throat, fatigue, and fevers. Hard to believe that twice she was resuscitated with defibrillation paddles, that she could not prepare her own meals, that on most days her major accomplishment would be a shower. Add to that, she was eating based on emotion, and obviously unable to exercise.

Before Meghan was afflicted with debilitating illness, she was a Division I athlete in swimming and played club rugby. She trained hard, slept little and pushed her body beyond its limits. While popular culture commends intense exertion, Meghan’s body balked in a detrimental way. She endured her long-term health problems and tried many prescription drugs before she finally took a holistic approach that helped her to slowly regain strength, restore health and renew confidence. “Although, I became very discouraged at times, I never quit fighting to recover,” Meghan said. “With the support of my amazing boyfriend, now husband, Shannon, by my side, I continued to try new treatments and research my illness. Eventually, it paid off big.”

 Meghan received an implanted electrical device to control her pain and weaned herself down to a single drug taken to offset the effects of lupus. Finally, she could get out of bed. She started gradually, as she says, “getting my butt kicked by the silver-sneaker ladies” at the local senior center. She moved into step aerobics and, eventually, kickboxing, then added weights. When Meghan’s body was ready, she joined a gym. What happened next helped to further Meghan’s recovery. “I realized that my routine was missing some key components: good nutrition and supplements,” she said. “That’s when I met Mitch Klaus, bodybuilder and owner of Max Muscle Sports Nutrition in Parker, Colorado. I was in great hands. He clearly knows sports nutrition like no other.”

Mitch talked to Meghan about her medical condition, her goals, her routine and her diet. He started her on a simple plan of Glutamine, L-Carnitine and Max Muscle Triple Whey Protein Powder. “The supplements gave me the punch I needed to bring my body to the next fitness level, as well as restore my overall health,” Meghan said.

Soon, Meghan added L-Tox for her liver, which is effected by illness, and DFine 8 to help burn a few stubborn pounds. She also started taking a multi-vitamin, essential fatty acids, a multi-mineral, probiotics, BCAA, glucosamine and 5HTP everyday. “Not only have these supplements helped improve my fitness capability, they have significantly reduced the symptoms caused by my illness,” Meghan said. “I never imagined I would get this life back. It was really gradual, one little thing at a time.”

Meghan, who has a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling, is now studying for certification as a mental health counselor. She is an advocate for leading a balanced life, one that includes sufficient sleep and rest, stress management, nutrition planning, vitamins and other supplements. Meghan hopes to reach out to others who are battling chronic illness.

Mitch and the rest of the crew at the Parker, Colorado Max Muscle Sports Nutrition store refer to Meghan as their ambassador. “Meghan has the drive to stay in shape and feel good, but all the medical prescriptions made her fuzzy,” Mitch said. “She got off most of her meds and ramped up her nutritional supplements. She is very in tune with her body, very committed to a holistic, healthy lifestyle.”

Like a warrior returned from battle, Meghan now takes a triumphant yet moderate approach to fitness, nutrition and life. It is not easy to stick to a regimented diet, but Meghan said she will always begin her days with nutritional supplements. Yet, she will allow herself chocolate. She will indulge in peaceful time with her husband, whom she calls the hero of her story, playing chess or playing with their dogs. And she will work out for the health benefits and not for “the look.”

Often, people at the gym ask Meghan whether she is training for a competition. “I tell them that I am training for the rest of my life,” she said. “So, when the time comes for me to really enroll in the silver-sneaker program at my local senior center, I will be able to show them all how it is done. Heck, maybe I’ll even teach the class.”