(NewsUSA) - Weight loss drugs are proving to have serious side effects, and they are not a long-term solution.  When the injections stop, the weight loss stops. But who wants to go back to dieting?

Laurel Mellin, PhD, a health psychologist, nutritionist, and New York Times bestselling author, is the founder of Emotional Brain Training (EBT).   She has written a new book, 1-2-3 JOY! to show readers why the missing link in treating obesity is to switch off the stress causing the cascade of internal chemicals that increase appetite, causes cravings, and blocks weight loss. Using the skills of EBT, they can lose weight naturally.

Dr. Mellin says, “I wrote 1-2-3 JOY! because of the increased use of weight loss drugs, as they have serious side effects including nausea, muscle wasting, stomach paralysis, and increased risk of kidney, pancreas, and thyroid problems. I wanted more people to have a healthy alternative to these weight loss drugs and diets.”

“I developed EBT initially as a young faculty member at the University of California San Francisco, in part because I personally understood the frustration of being out of control of my eating and finding that the current methods didn’t help me. The tools I developed were effective, but it was not until two decades later that my collaborators and I realized why they worked: they were switching off the stress response, which controls the chemicals – cortisol, dopamine, and insulin – that cause overeating and weight gain.”

The effectiveness of EBT is backed by scientific research, with studies of the method’s effectiveness published in peer-reviewed journals showing improvements in weight, blood pressure, anxiety, and depression. Obesity researcher John Foreyt states, “EBT is the first method to show lasting weight loss after treatment ends.” Already, more than 500,000 people have used EBT.

Dr. Mellin states, "The silver lining of the weight loss drug frenzy is that it validated that chemicals drive overeating. EBT is a drug-free method for switching off those chemicals to make weight loss easier and more lasting without the negative side effects. For those who are using weight loss drugs,  the EBT skills can help them wean off the drugs.”

The EBT tools are easily integrated into daily life. Use them before eating or when stressed to switch off those chemicals.  Over time, they retrain the emotional brain's neural pathways to make peace with food and promote lasting weight loss.

Dr. Mellin states, "That freedom from eating and weight issues is life-changing, returning people to their natural state of joy so they can focus on living a life of joy and purpose.  That is why I want everyone to have these skills.”

Her new book, 1-2-3 Joy!, is now available on Amazon.

(NewsUSA) - “Life begins at the edge of your comfort zone.”

From closing multimillion-dollar licensing deals with IBM and Microsoft, to the Ironman World Championship, to ultramarathons and summit expeditions, serial entrepreneur Steven Pivnik knows how to go the distance.

To some, picking up endurance sports as you approach your 40th birthday with zero athletic background may seem like a cry for help. But for Steven, it was a transformative journey of self-discovery and pushing personal boundaries to uncover the untapped potential within all of us. He documents his story in the newly released book, Built to Finish (Greenleaf Book Group).

Steven’s inspiring journey as a successful tech entrepreneur and accomplished triathlete and marathon runner is a shining example that you are built to finish regardless of your starting point or previous experiences.

As an entrepreneur, you’ve poured everything into building your business from the ground up. Where others doubted your ability or vision, you persisted. You took risks, made sacrifices, and faced countless obstacles. But now you’ve made it.

Your business is thriving and reaching new heights. What’s next?

Sharing his remarkable story as a college dropout turned tech entrepreneur turned triathlete turned international keynote speaker and best-selling author, Steven guides attendees on an unforgettable exploration of what it means to be “built to finish.”

In Built to Finish, Steven outlines his entrepreneurial journey in the IT marketplace, from failed startups to multimillion-dollar success. He hilariously recounts the ups and downs, wins and losses, and personal breakthroughs experienced on the summits of some of the tallest mountains in the world.

With a blend of humor and vulnerability, Steven shares the valuable lessons he learned along the way and provides practical guidance for entrepreneurs who want to go the distance in business and in life.

“For entrepreneurs,” Steven says, “or anyone wanting to lead an epic life, the focus isn’t on just starting or finishing. It’s about finishing what you started.”

Through international speaking events, 1:1 advisory services, and his newly released book, Steven coaches entrepreneurs through the mindset and practical steps necessary to achieve a successful exit, one of the seven summits (yes he’s done several), compete in an Ironman championship, or any other challenge they set their sights on.

Regardless of the endeavor – planning, perseverance, execution, pivots, setbacks, and endurance are key milestones to reaching the finish line. Now grab your running shoes and gear up for a transformative journey with Steven Pivnik. He can speak at your next event.

Steven’s blend of practical business advice and inspirational storytelling leaves audiences energized and motivated to go the distance in business and in life.

“A lot of business books teach the why of improvement, but few get into the how,” says Shawn Rhodes, keynote speaker, and author of Bulletproof Selling. “Anyone who knows about elite athletes knows they must be focused on the how, and that’s what Built to Finish delivers.”

Built to Finish is available on Amazon - https://bit.ly/477H9ss --   and other popular retail outlets where books are sold.

To learn more, visit https://stevenpivnik.com.

(NewsUSA) - The United States is at the opening of a critical window in time: between now and 2030 a constellation of emerging technologies including AI will continue to transform our national security, economy, and society. Is America ready?

Be part of the conversation at the second annual Ash Carter Exchange, an event concurrent with the first-ever AI Expo for National Competitiveness.

The Ash Carter Exchange honors the impact of Dr. Ash Carter, who served as Secretary of Defense from 2015-2017. Dr. Carter’s visionary recognition of technology’s role in national security guides our preparation for the emerging challenges. The event is hosted by the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP) and Mrs. Stephanie Carter, and is designed to promote the exchange of ideas. This year’s Ash Carter Exchange takes place in Washington, D.C., on May 7 and 8, and is set to continue the extraordinary discussions and connections made during last year’s unforgettable gathering.

Attend this year’s event and become part of a dynamic environment for an exchange of groundbreaking ideas, formation of strategic collaborations, and to learn about the advancements that are transforming our security landscape.

“As we carry forward Dr. Carter’s critical mission, we bridge the essential gap between cutting-edge innovation and the safeguarding of our national security,” according to the SCSP.

“Last year’s Exchange was a testament to the power of collective expertise, bringing together esteemed leaders from the government, industry, and scientific spheres for engaging dialogue. This year, we are poised to delve even deeper into the conversations that shape our national defense.”

Last year’s lineup of experts included Charles Q. Brown, Jr., Frank Kendall, Eric Smith, Robert M. Gates, Leon Panetta, Condoleezza Rice, Eric Schmidt, Michele Flournoy, H.R. McMaster, Mark Milley, Jen Easterly, Anne Neuberger, Nate Fick, Alex Younger, Kathleen Hicks, Doug Beck, Will Roper, Kim Budil, Robert O. Work, Shirley Ann Jackson, and Maria Zuber.

SCSP is a nonprofit and nonpartisan initiative with a goal to make recommendations to strengthen America's long-term competitiveness as artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies reshape national security, the economy, and society.

For more information, visit scsp.ai.

(NewsUSA) - The Destination Birth by Alex Bisset 

Everybody has their own unique birth story. For Alex and Lauren, theirs would begin a grand adventure that would present its own twist of fate thousands of miles from home. 
 
The Destination Birth is more than just a heartwarming and inspiring story; it's a rollercoaster ride of emotions that will leave readers reaching for the tissues one moment and belly laughing the next. But through it all, readers will be reminded of the incredible resilience of the human spirit, the power of family, and the unbreakable bond between a parent and child. 
 
So buckle up as a young couple navigates the trials and tribulations of childbirth, love, and family. This story will leave readers moved, inspired, and reminded of the extraordinary strength we can find when faced with adversity. Ten percent of all proceeds will be donated to the Bozeman-Deaconness Hospital NICU. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3T1yCnq. 

Forgetting Me by Katherine Tirado-Ryen 

When Anne Strafford wakes from a coma in a New York City hospital, she has no memory of who she is, how she got there, or why the handsome movie star, Jack Post, sleeps by her bedside. She certainly doesn’t remember getting cosmetic surgery, or the accident that scarred her once-beautiful face. 

While piecing together her past, Anne makes distressing discoveries. Her husband has filed for divorce. Her twin sister won’t speak to her. Everyone she's ever loved has shattered in her wake. Yet how can Anne fix a forgotten life? 

Follow this intimate journey of self-discovery that asks some of life’s toughest questions. What truly defines us? And are we more than the sum of our experiences? With bravery and determination, one woman will confront the echoes of her past in order to embrace an unforgettable future. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3NcTR1J. 

Eastern Star Rising by LuciaBelia 

Follow author LuciaBelia’s journey of healing from past trauma and mastering the Left-Hand Path. She accomplishes this feat through hard work and 18-hour days of focus, determination and working with Magick as an extension of herself, relentlessly using her 30 years of experience with Right Hand Path and energy healing. The path to ascension includes self-initiation, self-deification, and shadow work.  

The book shares LuciaBelia’s experience with the Demonic Gatekeepers, Satan, and those in her life who provided support as she became a fully empathetic and balanced person. Her journey was amazingly empowering. It taught her an entire system of healing that she incorporated into life coaching clients, where she has seen amazing results. Eastern Star Rising gives readers the tools to look deep within, do the work, and come out the other side, whole. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3T4iWjf. 

Sex, Trucks, and Rock ‘n Roll by Ben Mason 

A riveting, raw memoir on the life of an arrogant and decadent rocker who eventually finds redemption and peace amid chaos. Drawing on his experiences in the music industry and his love for Eastern and Western faiths, Ben embarks on a transformative journey that leads him to self-discovery and enlightenment. 

Ben shares the secrets of his evolution from being a self-centered rockstar to a successful entrepreneur and loving father, learning to embrace his true self and let go of the trappings of fame and fortune. 

With transparency and vulnerability, Ben invites readers to embark on their own journey of self-transformation. By sharing intimate thoughts and feelings, he offers clues and inspiration encouraging readers to overcome their own struggles and find inner peace, kindness, and prosperity. Purchase at https://bit.ly/49fhNdo.

(NewsUSA) - Low back pain remains a leading cause of disability and missed time from work in the United States. However, an at-home traction device offers a path to relief, according to Dr. Jeff Fisher, an Irvine, California-based chiropractor with more than 30 years of experience. Dr. Fisher invented the Fisher Traction Neck Device after experiencing an acute spine-related sports injury. Several years later, he developed the Fisher Traction Low Back Device to help his wife and sons manage herniated discs at home.

Much of spinal pain is caused by the compression of spinal nerves from adjacent bones or disc bulges/hernias, Dr. Fisher says. This compression can stem from a long-term chronic condition, acute injury, or simply aging and gravity.

Traction is the most effective way to relax, stretch, and decompress the spine and surrounding muscles and ligaments of the neck and back, Dr. Fisher explains. His at-home device is engineered to work as follows:

-Safely separates bones to eliminate pain and restore function, so the body can heal naturally.

-Restores the natural curves of the neck and back.

-Gently induces hydration and motion into the spine with the use of the release strap.

Dr. Fisher’s series of YouTube videos explains how Fisher Traction reduces and often eliminates pain by relieving compression on the nerves. Traditionally, individuals seeking the benefits of traction therapy had to visit a health clinic frequently or risk hanging upside down in an expensive machine.

Fisher Traction allows patients to experience the benefits of traction at home. Use of the Fisher Traction device has been shown to relieve pain and discomfort, slow disc degeneration, elongate muscles, increase flexibility, and increase range of motion and mobility. Fisher says.

“The key to successful traction therapy is frequency,” says Dr. Fisher. “The more you do it, the more your body can return to normal,” he says. “But who has the time to go to a clinic three days a week?  I invented Fisher Traction to be lightweight and portable so you can use it anywhere, anytime.” 

To use a Fisher Traction device, secure the loop over a doorknob and lie down. Then simply feel the pull. “You’re using your own body weight, so very little strength is needed,” says Dr. Fisher. The device allows for customized user control and features premium latex tubing with a patented bungee technology that mimics natural muscle contraction.

Traction has been evaluated and examined in over 55 peer reviewed research studies and has been found to be effective in an assortment of physical conditions, with demonstrated improvements in neck and spinal health visibly seen on x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and CT scans.

The recommended use for optimum results is 10-15 minutes a day for 21 consecutive days, followed by 3 times weekly for optimum long term spinal health.

For more information, visit fishertraction.com.

(NewsUSA) - Amidst worldwide headwinds experienced in recent years, supply chain resilience across industries has taken center stage in a global conversation. Pivotal to these discussions is examining how to create a more food-secure future for everyone, everywhere. Have you ever wondered how the food on your table gets there? Most people have heard of the supply chain, but “the cold chain” is less commonly known. In its simplest terms, the cold chain is responsible for ensuring cold food, such as meat, poultry, produce and dairy, is safely stored and transported through the “middle mile” – from growers and producers to manufacturers and retailers, and ultimately, to your plate.  

However, moving food in this manner is no small feat – with a growing population set to reach 9.7 billion by 2050 (United Nations [U.N.]), the efficiency and reliability of the cold chain is more important than ever in helping feed the world. Fortunately, the world already produces enough food to feed 10 billion people, according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization [FAO].  

“With a current world population of 8 billion as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau, yet 9.6 billion tons of agricultural crop, livestock commodities and food produced annually, according to FAO, the challenge of feeding the world isn’t a matter of food availability; rather, it is about accessibility and creating a system capable of transporting and storing food where it is needed most,” said Elliott Wolf, VP & Chief Data Scientist, Lineage. 

Reframing perceptions of food availability vs. accessibility 

Across the globe, approximately 12 percent of food produced globally is lost due to an insufficient cold chain (International Institute of Refrigeration). Every year, more than one third of all food produced spoils before it can be sold, with fruits and vegetables making up the most of this spoilage (Rockefeller Foundation). 

“Cold chain infrastructure is changing the food loss paradigm by establishing the essential global facility networks and transportation structures to move and store food to communities across the globe,” said Wolf. 

The history of keeping food fresh and safe  

The cold chain is an old industry. People have been keeping food cold as long as we’ve been able – first with ice and now with electricity. As more people moved farther away from food sources and into growing cities in the 19th century, the need to keep perishable food safe grew, spurring 20th century innovations. In 1913, Fred W. Wolf invented the first home electric refrigerator (Energy Saver, U.S. Department of Energy), and in the 1940s, Frederick McKinley Jones designed the first refrigeration unit for trucks to keep food fresh in transit (Lemelson-MIT Program). 

The modern cold chain has helped lead strides in global nutrition, but access to effective refrigeration is still a leading contributor to the challenge of feeding the world. In 2009, the International Institute of Refrigeration estimated over 200 million tons of food waste could be saved annually if developing countries acquired the same cold chain capacities as those in developed countries (FAO 2019 State of Food and Agriculture).  

The modern global cold chain is taking on the challenge of distributing food to all corners of the world – 197 million square miles a day – and ensuring it stays safe.  

A smarter, more reliable and sustainable cold chain  

The next frontier of the cold chain lies in digitizing, automating, driving sustainability and elevating the industry to go further in its mission to feed the world, driving those same improvements to more communities and new markets around the globe.  

The modern cold chain is working to make the unpredictable, predictable. The implementation of machine learning algorithms has ushered in a new era of efficiency and optimization in warehouse operations, harnessing automation, and its ability to transform our environments to meet every need of an ever-growing population. 

Why does automation in the cold chain matter to you? Think of the last time you heard about a spinach or chicken recall on the news, for example. Computer visioning technology automatically scans labels to help track all products in the warehouse, meaning that in case of a recall situation, companies and their customers can act immediately to destroy any recalled product to keep consumers safe.  

Today’s cold chain also plays an important role as a steward of sustainability. Estimates suggest that 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions are associated with food that is not consumed (United Nations Environment Programme). With rising global awareness on energy conservation and corporate commitments to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, the middle mile is key not only to meaningful reduction of food waste but also accompanying greenhouse gas emissions. 

Lineage, one of the world’s leading temperature-controlled warehousing and integrated solutions providers, is at the center of the cold chain, with billions of cubic feet in cold storage across hundreds of facilities around the world. In 2021, Lineage took a big step toward helping to preserve the planet by signing The Climate Pledge – and the commitment that comes with it to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.  

From investing in renewable energy sources like solar to retrofitting older buildings to be more energy efficient or taking steps towards more sustainable transportation solutions, Lineage is leveraging tech innovation to become more sustainable.  

At Lineage, the pivot from the traditional ways and methods of the cold chain demanded long-term planning and a serious commitment to technology. To make food accessible to everyone worldwide – 197 million square miles a day – we need the most connected food chain on the planet. That’s why Lineage continues to rise to new challenges, seek out new solutions in tech innovation, and work together to feed the world.