DERAILED BUT NOT DETERRED...MRI-SPONSORED TRIATHLETE DELIVERS ON FUNDRAISING PROMISE, DETERMINED TO RACE IN 2009 FORD IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
23/Jan/2009
ATTORNEY AND AMATEUR TRIATHLETE, STEVEN S. SPITZ, RAISES OVER $10,500 FOR VITAMIN ANGELS CHARITY, HELPING TO REDUCE CHILD MORTALITY WORLDWIDE
Sports Nutrition Company, Medical Research Institute (MRI), Continues To Support Spitz’s Training And Transformation From “Every Man” To “Fit Man” To “Ironman”
San Francisco, CA; January 23, 2009 — As part of his plans to race in the 2008 Ford® Ironman® World Championship (the “holy grail” of triathlons), amateur triathlete Steven S. Spitz, age 40, has raised over $10,500 for the Vitamin Angels charity. Vitamin Angels is dedicated to reducing the instances of childhood blindness and mortality due to micronutrient deficiencies. Vitamin Angels’ Operation 20/20 is working hard to eliminate vitamin A deficiency worldwide by 2020.
“Unfortunately, many children around the world are malnourished due to poverty and other conditions,” says Mr. Spitz, “and this can lead to many devastating health challenges, including blindness caused by vitamin A deficiency.” He continues, “It was a privilege raising funds for Vitamin Angels which, in 2008 alone, provided over 7 million children in 17 countries the necessary nutrients to save their eyesight. Most amazing is that it costs only 25 cents annually to save a child's vision.”
Spitz was able to link his fundraising efforts with Vitamin Angels via the Janus Charity Challenge as part of the 2008 Ford Ironman World Championship. Because Spitz was one of the top fundraisers in 2008, Vitamin Angels received an additional grant from Janus. However, an accident and resulting broken collarbone necessitated Spitz’s withdrawal from the world-famous triathlon in 2008.
“It turns out that my fundraising for Vitamin Angels is the silver lining in a black cloud,” explains Spitz, “and having to withdraw from the 2008 race made me appreciate my fundraising efforts even more.” He continues, “This also gives me impetus to recover and compete in 2009.”
“Steven Spitz is an inspiration to us all -- his endeavor, commitment, and compassion set a standard for what one person can achieve,” says Howard Schiffer, President of Vitamin Angels. He continues, “'We are honored that Steven chose Vitamin Angels to work with. For the tens of thousands of children whose Steven's work will impact, we are so appreciative; and, we are Steven Spitz's biggest cheerleaders!”
The leading sports nutrition company, Medical Research Institute (MRI), took note of Spitz’s efforts and became his sponsor. This is the first time MRI is sponsoring a triathlete. Spitz serves as general counsel for MRI’s parent company Natrol, Inc., a premier nutraceutical company.
According to Harun Simbirdi, Natrol’s Chief Operating Officer, “We are proud to support and sponsor Spitz in the Ford Ironman World Championship. Not only do MRI products benefit bodybuilders and other power athletes, they also benefit endurance athletes as well. Spitz is a perfect example of how our products help fuel the unique training needs of endurance athletes. We are especially proud to be able to help our own corporate counselor achieve this success.”
Also resulting from Spitz’s experiences in training, transformation, and triathlons, as well as his fundraising achievements, the Los Angeles Triathlon Club (to which Spitz belongs) has nominated him for an award, with winners to be announced at the club’s annual event on January 24, 2009. Meanwhile, Spitz is on the mend with the goal of training for, and competing in, the 2009 Ford Ironman World Championship to take place Oct. 10, 2009, in Kona, Hawaii.
Spitz, not one to shy away from challenges, is a man who was an overweight and out-of-shape corporate attorney just eighteen months ago. Back then, due to long workdays, a poor diet, and lack of exercise, he tipped the scale at almost 250 pounds. Then, Spitz chose to take better care of his health. He lost around 90 pounds in about one year, transforming himself into a lean, well-trained, 160-pound triathlete ready to compete in the Ford Ironman World Championship!
Spitz says, “I applied the information I was reviewing daily as part of my job, such as research on sports nutrition and weight-control products from MRI and its parent company, Natrol. Additionally, I began eating healthier, got regular exercise, and included key supplements in my daily nutrition.” He continues, “As important as exercise is, good nutrition is also critical to fuel training and protect lean tissue. I know that getting enough high-quality protein is especially important, so I added MRI’s Pro-NOS® to my routine and quickly saw -- and felt -- a difference.”†
Spitz’s story can be followed on Facebook under Steven S. Spitz, and more information is available by contacting Stacy@TaylorPublicRelations.com.
About Medical Research Institute (MRI) — Science. Innovation. Performance.
Medical Research Institute (MRI), headquartered in San Francisco, CA, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Natrol, Inc. Established in 1997, MRI develops and markets innovative sports nutrition products with a focus on combining science-based, novel active ingredients with high-tech nutrient-delivery technologies exclusive to the MRI brand. MRI’s product portfolio includes its signature products NO2®, CE2®, and Pro-NOS® along with other innovative solutions for power and endurance athletes such as Anabolic Switch®, Black Powder®, N30®, Quick Gainer, and 8-FX™. MRI distributes products nationally through the specialty retail stores GNC (General Nutrition Company) and The Vitamin Shoppe® and online at bodybuilding.com and mri-performance.com. For more information, call 1.888.448.4246, or visit www.mri-performance.com.*
About Vitamin Angels
In the last three years, Vitamin Angels has distributed over 300 million vitamins and other supplements in over 80 countries worldwide. Last year, Vitamin Angels connected vitamins and other supplements with over 7 million children, lactating mothers, and babies in 40 countries worldwide. To learn more about Vitamin Angels, and “Operation 20/20”, visit www.VitaminAngels.org.*
About Ironman
World Triathlon Corporation, owners and organizers of Ironman, is a Florida-based company recognized for athletic excellence, performance, and quality products, with more than 50 qualifying events worldwide. Ironman has been a respected name in triathlon since its inception 31 years ago, and is regarded as the world’s most challenging endurance event. Each year, more than 80,000 athletes compete for slots in the Ford Ironman World Championship held every October in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Information relating to Ironman events can be found at the official Web site, www.ironman.com.*
Media Contact:
Stacy Taylor
Taylor Public Relations (TPR)
714-791-0848
Email: Stacy@TaylorPublicRelations.com
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†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
*All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.