Is this guy insane? Depends who you talk to I suppose.
Hi, I’m Russ Hamel – age 58 (I was 57 when I completed the Insanity program earlier this year) – from Toronto, ON Canada. So far in my lifetime I’ve been:
- Diagnosed with Leukemia (1999)
- Bankrupt (2000)
- Divorced (2005)
Life just isn’t tough enough. Thus the Insanity Workout Schedule! 
Actually, after nearly dying last Christmas, 2009 during my second Leukemia relapse, I decided to take back control of my health. You see, I had promised my gorgeous new wife Maggie (remarried 2008) that I would still be kicking her butt when I was 100 years old.
I had a LOT of work to do.
I came back home from the hospital early January, 2010. I couldn’t even take two steps without getting winded as I was recovering from a severe case of Pseudomonis, a form of pneumonia that is fatal without immediate and proper treatment.
A couple months later I transferred my health care over to Dr. Joseph Brandwein at the Princess Margaret Hospital in downtown Toronto. It took nearly a year for my lungs to clear up completely.
Today – April 7, 2011 – I am considered to be in complete remission. I’m taking part in a clinical trial for a new medication which shows promise for my type of Leukemia, CLL.
I go in for regular blood tests, CT scans, ECG – basically complete physicals at least once a month. I’ve been cleared for exercise. However, I don’t think Dr. Brandwein realizes just how INSANE I’ve taken my commitment!
To prepare for the Insanity Workout I’ve been running the stairs in my condo building – 22 stories tall! – since last October, 2010. I worked my way up to three circuits in about 18 minutes. I also did some other weight training in our gym so I thought I was prepared.
I thought… hahaha
Well, I’m already four days into the program and it’s definitely all I can handle – and then some. My biggest goal is to get rid of the extra belly fat around my waist. I’m tired of my step-daughters poking my stomach like I’m ‘Hop on Pop’ from the Dr. Seuss books.
UPDATE: I completed all 63 days of the Insanity Workout between April 4 and June 5, 2011. Yup, I DID IT – 57 year old ME! Check out my Before and After pics and/or watch Day 63 Fit Test 5 for the amazing results. See for yourself if Insanity works!
Besides, I really do intend to run circles around my gorgeous wife when I’m 100 years old. She’s 12 years my junior and I’m already running circles around her! (I know she’ll be reading this, right Gorgeous?)
Maggie and Russ LOVE Bodylastics
These days, Maggie and I are doing exercises much more conducive to our 40+ bodies. We absolutely LOVE our Bodylastics and are getting amazing results working out 5 times a week as you can see. And I still run stairs occasionally.
I hope my journey will inspire you to take your own fitness goals up another notch or ten. I’d love to hear from you so remember to send me emails and/or leave your comments in the posts.
All the best from Toronto,
Russ
It’s Insane, but it works!
Hey Gloria, thanks for stopping by. Yup, absolutely! It’s working great for me, and do you know why? Because I’m putting everything I’ve got into my workouts. It’s the old saying, you only get out of it what you put into it. It’s insane, but I’m lovin’ the challenge!
Congrats! It is nice to see an honest progression and review of the Insanity workout program, and not just another BeachBody Coach praising a program they didn’t even complete. I ordered Insanity a couple of days ago, and this site has been a real inspiration. Thanks!
Thank you so much Andrew,
1 for stopping by
2 for taking the time to comment
3 for your kind words
This is EXACTLY what I was hoping to portray when I started this site! Like you, I did a TON of research before deciding to get the program. I was particularly interested in some of the ‘older’ guys. While most of them said something about the difficulty and advised about doing it at your own pace, very few actually admitted to the debilitating joint pain.
I am currently working on a special report that will help others investigating the Insanity Workout. It will be filled with my HONEST perspectives based on my full experience with this program. I know it’s too late for you, but I’ll send you a copy anyway.
Funny thing about the Beachbody Coaches… once you are inside the membership area, it’s loaded with coaches all vying for your attention, “Work with me – join my team!” Because I live in Canada, I don’t qualify for the Coaching program. And now that I’ve seen what goes on on the inside, I’m seriously thinking about doing an HONEST review about that, too!
Thanks again Andrew!
All the best from Toronto,
Russ
Congrats!! You convinced me to start this program! Now i try to find the program for the first week!
Thanks Gabriela,
Do keep in touch and let me know how you are doing with your Insanity adventure! Keep a positive, willing attitude and do only what you can. You’ll make it through and you’ll be so pleased with yourself and your results!
All the best from Toronto,
Russ
Congrats! You did amazing and now I am ready too. I am nearing 30 and a mother of three and I have been interested in trying this out for the longest time. I’m excited to start, thank you for your hard work and dedication, you have inspired me to start this instant! (Despite the fact that it is 1:00 a.m.!) Thanks again!
Laynie,
That’s so totally awesome that you have three kids and you are still going for it! I only have one 8-year-old daughter at home and together with my wife, they consume practically ALL of my attention when they are home and awake. It’s no wonder to me why you are up at 1:00 AM. 3 kids; now THAT’S Insanity! LOL
My wife and I are now working out together after the little one is in bed. In order to be successful, I recommend that you find a time that works best for you and then STICK TO IT CONSISTENTLY. Do what you have to do to get YOUR time, without compromising the other things that are so important to you… like family.
Do keep in touch and let me know how your workouts are going.
All the best from Toronto,
Russ
Dear Russ,
I came across your video of the Fit Test #5 on YouTube whilst researching Insanity and all I can say is – WOW! Huge congratulations on completing the Insanity’s workouts for 63 days! It’s absolutely amazing and so inspiring to see a gentleman of your age doing these hard workouts! I’m a personal trainer myself and nearing 40 this year and I do believe that no matter of age people should challenge themselves in the field of fitness to get the most benefits. And you are such an amazing example of what can be achieved when truly committed to something!
)
All the best with your future trainings!
Jurga
)
Wow Jurga,
I could listen to you speak all day! LOL
Seriously though, as I mentioned on one of my YouTube videos, there is ‘Good’ Insanity where you challenge yourself beyond your perceived limits and there’s ‘Bad’ Insanity where you know you have no business even trying but you do it anyway, risking unnecessary pain and injury. I trained hard for about six months just to get into shape for my Insanity experience. PLUS, I was medically cleared by my doctor – that’s so important when doing exercises on this level.
And even with all that, it was TOUGH! I put myself in the borderline category of ‘Good/Bad’ Insanity. While I avoided injury, I endured far more pain from my workouts than necessary. I will NOT be doing this challenge again, nor would I recommend it to any but the most fit and dedicated. If you look at my video for Day 62, you’ll see just how close I came to ‘Quitting’ – yeah, the second last day! So I’ll accept your generous complements as ‘well-earned’.
Thank you so much for stopping by and especially for your kind words. Coming from someone with your background makes it all the more special.
All the best from Toronto,
Russ
I applaud you on your accomplishment. You look great. I am 47 and find myself with health issues. Im unemployeed, and with everything else found myself eating to death. I have high BP, Diabetes, High colestreol the list goes on. I am encouraged by you and your wife.
I am hopeful that I can achieve the results you have if not, close to them. In doing so reclaim my heath and youthful vigor. I can’t afford the insanity workout but was hoping to see your workouts to get started.
Hi Melody,
Thank you so much for you kind words. When I recorded these videos last year, I did them to keep MYSELF accountable. I never dreamed in a million years I would have the kind of response I am seeing today. I figured just a few family members and friends would give them the ‘obligatory’ view and we would all move on with our lives. I’m so pleased that they are proving to be of such great value to folks like yourself.
From what you wrote, I’m guessing you were probably hoping for more of the actual workout videos. The only workouts I’ve included in this 63 day series are the five fit tests every 14 days. Some people have been disappointed that all the other videos are just me ‘talking’. Again, this was originally intended to be a video journal of my Insanity experience and not a ‘workout site’. Copyright laws prohibit me from showing the actual video; even going as far as I did with the fit tests is treading a fine legal line.
Very shortly, I will be coming out with my own fitness site called Sane No Pain – that’s sanenopain.com. I’ll keep everyone informed as to when it is ready.
Once again, thanks for stopping by and taking the time to write. I really love your attitude. I’ll see that you get FREE LIFETIME access to my new site when it is complete!
All the best from Toronto,
Russ