Dale Belanger

Ion Fitness founder, Personal Trainer and Fitness Coach

My dedication to helping others become healthier and more physically fit really stems from a deep understanding of what it is like to NEED the help myself. To the take my own fitness from one the verge of constant hospitalization and needing to take a plethora of medications, to stying active, eating correctly and leaving the medications behind me as I continue on my own fitness journey. My fitness journey started a little under 10 years ago. At that time I was a Sous Chef and preparing to start my career as an over the road truck driver. Prior to starting I was driving for Uber as a side hustle trying to make the money needed to provide a decent life for my family. On a late night night drive I just didn't feel right, I was dizzy, sweating uncontrollably and short of breath, my heart was racing like never before and I couldn't understand what was happening. Thinking I was on my way to a heart attack, I swallowed a couple aspirin and raced to the Urgent care. I wasn't having a heart attack, I was however suffering from Diabetic Keto-acidosis and diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol and severe dehydration. The initial recovery period from this was a two week stay in a hospital, under constant monitoring, fluids, and medications, to correct my A1C and drop my blood sugar levels to a point where I could return home. Due to the medications I was placed on I had to put my driving career on hold. Insulin, Metformin, lipostatin, and lebedoral were just a few of the medications I had to swallow or inject on a daily basis. There were days where the affects of my raised A1C and blood sugar levels caused temporary blindness, muscle soreness and fatigue. I had spoken to the doctors about how I could get off these meds and back on my path of being a truck driver, and the most constant answer was diet and exercise. So to Youtube and the gym I went. Trying every exercise I could while drinking nothing but water and eating the most bland foods ever. It took me 3 months to reduce my weight, correct my A1C and blood sugar levers to a point where I could come off of insulin and be placed on metformin and lower doses of the other meds, enabling me to get back on track with my driving career. This is where my health and fitness took a huge turn for the better. I passed my drivers exam and those 18 wheeler tests are no joke! I also passed my D.O.T. physical which I was really concerned with, and with that I was able to start training as a one the road driver. My driver trainer and the man I would be bunking with for the next 6 months while on the road was the perfect match for me. He was a very experienced driver, a great teacher, and a body builder to boot. He saw that I hated the meds, struggled with the diet, and had no idea where to really begin. He took me under his wing both with learning how to drive the 18 wheeler and how to take advantage of our down time to take care of our fitness. He said to me " I see you hate being on your meds, we have to stop every 2 hours because everything runs through you, and you have no energy. Let's fix that. You don't have to do the same exact exercises as me or lift the same amount of weight, but just workout with me while your on my truck and I promise you in 6 months you'll be off all that crap and feeling better than ever". Trust me when say, I thought to myself, "bullshit, there's no way" however at his insistence I gave it a shot, reluctantly, and at first out of feeling guilty for letting myself get into this position in the first place. But then after a week or two I began enjoying the workouts, gained confidence in what I was doing and really feeling better about myself. That's truly when the switch was turned for me. Needless to say, when we returned from our 6 months of training, both on the truck driving and in the gym, I went back in for another physical. To my surprise My blood sugar was within normal ranges without the need of medication, my cholesterol decreased to normal ranges and my blood pressure dropped. My doctor said I had completely reversed my diagnosis and no longer needed any medication. But that it would only stay this way with proper exercise and proper eating habits. I truly believe that without the helping hand from my friend, trainer and mentor, I would not be here now. I may have regressed or given up all together. With his guidance, and assistance I was able to really turn things around to become a healthier, happier version of myself. Because of his helping hand to me, and knowing that I needed his help, I want to pay it forward. I want to be that helping had you may need when it comes to your own health and fitness. I want to be the guidance, support, and inspiration to take you to the next level. Together we can build healthy habits and improve your fitness levels. When working with clients, I like to build from the ground up. I will teach you form and function to improve your fitness properly. Instead of handing you a meal plan, I teach you how to build your own, through knowledge of proper caloric intake and correct macro nutrition. I will teach you how to put it together and benefit the most out it on your own fitness journey. The only question now is, what's stopping you ?

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