SuperLife Spotlight: Darren Bachiu Shatters the Protein Myth

29 Sep SuperLife Spotlight: Darren Bachiu Shatters the Protein Myth

People around the world are discovering the power of living a SuperLife. We affectionately call them “SuperLifers” over here. When we met Darren (with an “e”!) Bachiu, his energy and zest for life was INFECTIOUS! He absolutely reflects what it is to truly live a SuperLife! But it wasn’t always that way (seriously, check out his before and after photo!). He actively used the principles in SuperLife and overcame the protein myth to radically transform his body and his life. His journey and insight is both inspirational AND an amazing example of a SuperLife in action, so we wanted to share!

A little more about Darren: Not only is he the director of a hospital in Victoria, B.C., Canada, but he also sidelines as a translator in Mandarin Chinese and Spanish! Yup, he speaks three languages! He and his wife Sophie (who he sweetly describes as “amazing”) love traveling and, most importantly, living a SuperLife!

Check out our conversation with Darren and get his “go-to” recipe – a vegetarian twist on the Turkish dish Korma!

1. How has living a SuperLife changed your life?

SuperLife has been an amazing resource for providing me abundant information of healthy eating/living knowledge that encourages me to make healthier decisions on a daily basis. My diet has changed in such an amazing way from this knowledge I’ve gained about food and especially protein, and my energy levels have gone from around “6 out of 10,” to now “11 out of 10.” This SuperLife philosophy allows me to be a “SuperMan!”

“SuperLife has definitely had an undeniable positive impact on my ongoing journey of health.”

My journey with health began when started competitive Olympic weightlifting at 13. Although I spent years being coached and focused on building muscle, it kept me one-sided with fitness. I was never taught the absolute and paramount key secret to being healthy, which I now feel is to “Eat well and move your body – and ‘rinse and repeat’ on a daily basis. The mentality of SuperLife has really changed that about me, since I’ve been adopting a SuperLife lifestyle I’m swimming, surfing, biking running, skateboarding, cross-fitting, juggling, you name it, I’m doing it and I plan to be doing the same until the end of my days.

2. You shared that “Superlife” shook your original thoughts about eating, can you share a little about that?

Before becoming part of the SuperLife community I was always concerned with consuming protein every 2-3 hours to maintain muscle, and often this was in the form of an animal protein. In Darin’s book he talked about how much protein we really need. I have to admit that I was really skeptical that muscle mass could be maintained on a lower than previously though amount of protein. I have to say that with this change in diet, I feel so much healthier than I did before. My energy when running, swimming, biking, surfing, paddle-boarding, or rock climbing is far higher than it ever was. I think I have more energy now than when I was 10 years old! And I feel my progress for getting in shape has taken leaps and bounds in terms of being leaner, and far, far, far, more energetic.

3. How has the book changed your nutrition and lifestyle?

The most drastic change came by means of me cutting out all meat from my diet. I was the type of guy who was eating meat almost every day, often chicken and red meat. I had this thought process that it was the only way I could get sufficient protein while living an active lifestyle.

“Darin’s book gave me the courage to try a new diet, and I thought, ‘Hey, if this guy is a vegan and he still looks so fit and healthy, I’ve gotta at least give it a try.'”

And Wow! What this guy is saying is true! I wanted to ring a church bell and shout it out to the world! Not only can I still build muscle while being a vegan, I feel I can actually do it better, and in a healthier way.

4. Favorite advice from Darin’s book SuperLife?

Two things: I really enjoyed how in his book he simplifies exercise by stressing the importance of not making exercise complicated. KEEP IT FUN!!! Mix it up, play a lot, and just move regularly, and we will all enjoy long-term health benefits. Also, food is fuel; quality in, quality out.

“Food is fuel; quality in, quality out. Superlife has taught me that it can be as simple as that.”

5. What does a SuperLife mean to you?

A SuperLife for me is one where I wake each morning full of energy and excitement to face and enjoy another day of life — and from there share this excitement and joy with those around me. A SuperLife to me is not about getting in shape just for summer or to fit into that red dress, but it is about being in good physical and mental shape every day for the entirety of our lives.It is seeing the rainbow in each rainfall; it is about being curious; always wanting to learn more; having a surplus of energy; and striving in a positive way to be and become the best person I can.

6. What is the craziest thing you learned recently about food that you wish everyone knew?

I would have to say that it is the protein myth. I think it’s paramount that we should all question the safety and effectiveness of protein intake above the recommended or actually needed amount. I understood that protein is vital in our diets, but I was shocked to learn that the needed amount is a lot less than I actually thought. I feel that we have been fed the high protein=quality muscle myth for so long that it has prevented many of us (especially me) from looking outside the “meat-and-potatoes-for-supper” box.

7. You are in incredible shape! What keeps you motivated to move and be physically active?

I would say that being the best human I can be for my wife is a major motivation for me to move and be physically active on a daily basis. And I can’t forget to mention how great it feels to move and be physically active. The endorphins that are released, how great I feel during and after movement, how much better food tastes, and the sense of overall joy and happiness I feel is due largely to movement! I feel that exercise is the best antidepressant there is and ever will be.

8. What is a final “to-do” that motivates you to LOVE HOW YOU LIVE?

SuperLife has helped show me the paramount importance of having good routines and habits.

“Healthy eating and exercise doesn’t have to be complicated.”

We just have to establish a routine of always making healthy food decisions, and moving our bodies in some way, every day.

9. What is a “go-to recipe” everyone should try?

They say variety is the spice of life so our daily meals are always varied and exciting, but one we’ve really enjoyed lately that kept our energy levels high is Vegetarian Korma.

Vegetarian Korma

Fresh, Wholesome Ingredients

1 1/2 tablespoons coconut oil

1 small onion, diced

1 teaspoon fresh ginger root, minced

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 yams, cubed

4 carrots, cubed

1 fresh jalapeno pepper, seeded and sliced

3 tablespoons unsalted cashews, ground

1 can (or 4 ounces) tomato sauce

2 teaspoons Himalayan salt

1 ½ tablespoons each of garan masala, turmeric, and cardamom

1 cup garden green peas

½ green or yellow bell pepper, chopped

½ red bell pepper, chopped

1 bunch fresh cilantro for garnish.

Steps to Something Delicious

Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the onion, and cook until tender. Mix in ginger and garlic, and continue cooking 1 minute. Mix yams, carrots, jalapeno, cashews, and tomato sauce. Season with Himalayan salt and curry powder. Cook and stir 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Stir peas, green and red bell pepper into the skillet. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 10 minutes. Garnish with cilantro to serve.

Editor’s Note:

A huge thanks to Darren for this SuperLife Spotlight!

Do you have a SuperLife story or transformation you’d like to share? Email [email protected]!