I feel so fortunate, so humble, and so grateful to have so many talented people around me.
Once again, my deepest appreciation goes to Jeff Clifford, Brady Caverly, and Lenny Sands, all of Provida Life Sciences, who have played such a huge role in bringing my makeover programs to the attention of the world through three hit infomercials. This Provida team, with skilled insight, creativity, and ingenuity, took my basic approach to reshaping the human body and turned it into a phenomenal product called Michael Thurmond’s 6-Week Body Makeover, now one of the most popular and successful weight-loss and exercise programs available. Provida’s work and proven ability at product development and marketing have been a true springboard for me and, more than that, have enabled millions of people to achieve their dream bodies.
Three other key people at Provida, Dolores Thompson, Paul Duff, and Matt Vance, must also be thanked for their help in coordinating key aspects of this book, and most of all for helping inspire the millions of people who have learned how to make over their bodies using my techniques.
My agent, Barbara Lowenstein, is among the most dynamic in the literary world. This is our second book together, and I hope that there will be many more. Thank you so much.
My creative expert and friend, Maggie Greenwood-Robinson, PhD, was an enormous help to me. Maggie is a real pro at organization, creativity, editing, and collaboration. Plus, she was able to keep up with me in the gym when I taught her my body-shaping techniques. Thank you so much for your infectious enthusiasm and can-do spirit.
Thanks to my Warner Books team, Diana Baroni, Natalie Kaire, and Leila Porteous, whose input, direction, coordination, and hardworking support were invaluable to this undertaking. I appreciate all of you so much.
My anchor in life, Benita Heet, oversees just about every aspect of my life and does so with incredible efficiency, grace, and dedication. Because of you, my life has changed for the better.
Thankful appreciation to Kris Reid, who was my right-hand man on ABC’s Extreme Makeover and who manages my company as if it were his own, a rare and valuable trait. A special thanks to Juan Perez, my vice president, who has been through the ups and downs of an “overnight” success.
Thanks go to my terrific staff. You are the best! Each of you gives of yourself every single day to help people everywhere achieve better health and well-being. A special mention to Leah Hyman and Nicole Rollolazo, who are two of my incredible trainers and the exercise models for this book. To Alisa Daglio, who manages our Spa Body Makeover program, and our splendid staff there—who all work efficiently to ensure that our spa clients are happy and informed, and leave with a whole new body and lifestyle—thank you.
And finally, to all my wonderful clients: I could not have done what I do without you. Thank you for trusting me to guide you through your journey to discovering how to look and feel your best at all times.