Crissy Zachanowich is a bikini model and massage therapist, who has devoted her life to fitness. The knowledge she has gained by pushing her physical limits, and now as one of Cellucors ambassadors is exactly what keeps fighters pushing in the last two weeks. In a Ten week training period for a fight, or in any length of camp for athletes, the second last week is the most important. Diet needs to be perfect, intensity needs to be its highest, and the goal is to "peak" at the right time to ensure health, and no injuries. As a strength coach who has been there for some of the best athletes in the world, 10 days out is probably the most stressful time in my life. The focus is on sleep, hydration, nutrition, and the intensity of the workouts. You are asking so much out of your body, this is where the supplements come in. To keep my weight down, my calories are low. Fortunately science can make up for it with supplements that give me vitamins, branch chain amino acids, and other forms of minerals that get used up in training. Athletes normally can get what they need from whole nutritious foods. They just ensure perfection with supplements. Athletes at this high training volume and intensity need the assistance. This time in training is also where athletes who want to win need a big push. Im no athlete, but I do love experiencing the exhaustion of training. The team at Elite Performance in Winnipeg is making sure the intensity goes up. Thats what any great strength coach and team will do. Its no wonder most of the top athletes come from the same teams in MMA. You need that support, you need that push. Look at Jackson MMA, Tri-Star, American Top Team, and the Blackzillians. They ensure each other have success. Jeff Fisher is the owner of Elite Performance and coach everyone wants, he has me dialed right in for the big week. Im learning to love the Jacobs Ladder, Bike Sprints, and plyometric training. I look forward to the moments when we do injury prevention work, its a rest and I know I get to have time to myself. Right now, I may not be getting in a cage in a few days, but Im doing the conditioning. Every fight fan should feel this amount of exhaustion. Then youd think twice before booing. Sleep is probably the most underrated weapon in an athletes arsenal at this point, especially as the weeks wear on. This is where the crossovers start to happen. Training intensity goes up, the body has higher demands on nutrients for recovery. Those vitamins and minerals are also the basis of the sleep cycle. So as training goes up(using more nutrients), and food intake goes down to make weight(no resupply of nutrients, sleep suffers. Sleep is heavily regulated by vitamins and minerals. Zinc being one of the prime nutrients. The hormones you need to have released are also made up of essential fats and proteins. You need the vitamins and minerals combined with the macro nutrients to ensure your recovery, and restful sleep. Can you see where the stress of a coach comes in? We dont usually talk about all the science with an athlete. When we see them miss their supplements, or skip meals we panic. Those missed fueling times can result quickly in reduced immune system function, lower energy, and muscle breakdown. Those missed opportunities cannot be had back. When your body is ready to recover, it needs fuel. Again, thats why the best supplements need to be there, along with food, sleep, and water. So when you see athletes on fight day, know what goes into the 14 days leading up to that fight. Its a very strategic plan. If you are trying to get in your best shape ever, up the intensity, but make sure you take care of yourself. Find someone like Crissy. Take a look at her Instagram @Crissyzach, shes a bikini model whos been featured in "Inside Fitness Magazines Hot and Fit 100" and got a perfect physique score at MABA Novice Show March 29th. She knows her product inside and out, and knows how to aid recovery and add that winning edge to any diet. Step it up, find that next level, and protect your body with Sleep, Nutrition, and Hydration. Its a lot of fun, and your body will thank you with a six pack. NFL Jerseys 2020 . Hawkins severely sprained his left ankle while making a diving catch during training camp and went on injured reserve with a designation he could return midway through the season. He was back at practice Wednesday. NFL Jerseys 2020 Paypal . Bibeau, Torontos sixth-round pick at No. 172 overall in last years draft, was named the outstanding goaltender of the 2014 MasterCard Memorial Cup. https://www.nfljerseys2020.com/ . 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Not sure yet. #livetweetingthegreatuntangle — Strombone (@strombone1) April 17, 2014 Stage three, coping: I feel like I could use a cigarette or something.WINNIPEG - A few rare smiles crossed Dustin Byfuglien’s face as reporters crowded around him after practice Tuesday.The Winnipeg Jets defenceman is enjoying a season thats brought him accolades from the NHL and praise from his teammates and coach for being a special player.The NHL’s first star of the week after collecting six points in four games, Byfuglien will take part in the league’s all-star game in Columbus, Ohio, this weekend.The recognition is coming during a season he says has him feeling more confident and settled in his personal and professional life.Byfuglien was married last summer to long-time girlfriend Emily Hendry, and in early December head coach Paul Maurice moved him from forward to his preferred position on defence after injuries felled a number of blue-liners.I think making her my wife finally has helped out and made things good, he said with a smile. I think just all around. Just going back to defence, I just like getting out of my bed and just going to work. It’s something that I enjoy and just kept going with it.The Jets (25-14-8) are on a four-game win streak as they get set to host Columbus (20-21-3) on Wednesday for their last game before the all-star break. They hold the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference, five points ahead of Calgary.The 29-year-old Byfuglien said there’s absolutely no doubt he’s playing better defence than in the past.Former Jets head coach Claude Noel had moved Byfuglien to forward in early January 2014. When Noel was fired a few days later and replaced by Maurice, the new coach kept him in that spot.Byfuglien noted the Jets have been playing different systems with Maurice and that’s had an impact on everyone.As a team we’ve changed our game so much, he said. The way we play, and the way we played back then, it’s way different. We feed off each other and you can make plays.And the six-foot-five, 260-pound Byfuglien has been making plays and putting up points.In 47 games, he has 12 goals and 19 assists for 31 points. But 20 of those points have come in the 21 games he’s played defence since Dec. 5.He’s unlike anyone, Jets forward Blake Wheeler said of Byfuglien. He’s special in a lot of ways.That includes Byfuglien’s physical presence, but also his instincts on the ice and the way he reads plays and intercepts pucks, Wheeler explained.He’s been dominant since he’s been back on (defence) especially, and he’s been a huge reason for our success.Byfuglien hasn’t really changed this seaason, but he may be feeling better about the way his game is viewed, Wheeler said.ddddddddddddI think he’s just comfortable now and I think he feels appreciated, he said. I think he felt under-appreciated before, you know, with a lot of the things he does and the things he tries to do.It can be frustrating as a player to come to work everyday and, kind of, it’s almost like a puppy. You hit him on the head and he keeps coming back for love, and if you don’t get it, it can sometimes wear on you a little bit.I think this year he feels appreciated, he feels like what he does is impactful on what we’re trying to do as a team.Byfuglien said he’s been following what Maurice has told him to do since he switched back to defence.Little things. Doing what I do and not get out of the game plan, Byfuglien said. Just stick with it and everything will just come.The player fans love to call Big Buff has also turned up his physical game.Rookie defenceman Ben Chiarot has been paired with Byfuglien and said the veteran is helping him make the transition. His friends and family ask him what Byfuglien is like and he tells them he’s a fun guy who likes to joke around on and off the ice.He also enjoys watching Byfuglien’s physical game.He’s so strong and so much bigger than everyone else, he just manhandles guys out there, Chiarot said. It’s like he’s playing with kids sometimes, so that’s fun to watch and it’s been impressive to see.Maurice said it might not be fair to say Byfuglien is exceeding his expectations on the blue-line.There’s never been a doubt that he’s a special player, he said. He can really do whatever he sets his mind to do.What the future holds for Byfuglien really depends on how having all the defencemen healthy will affect the minutes played, he said. The Blue Jackets contest may feature the return of defenceman Jacob Trouba, who’s missed 16 games with an upper-body injury. Trouba practised Tuesday and is awaiting medical clearance. He’s the last of four key defencemen to return after the rash of injuries.I’m in no hurry to get him out of there by any means, Maurice said. He’s a defenceman right now and he’s one of the best in the league right now so there’s no need to change that.Note: The Jets and CFLs Blue Bombers announced Tuesday that they were unable to finalize a date to host the Heritage Classic outdoor game at Investors Group Field next season and are very hopeful that a date can be secured early in the 2016-17 season. ' ' '