Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a personal trainer and nutritionist. I have a BS in Health Wellness with a concentration in Nutrition. I achieved the prestigious Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist Credential from the National Strength and Conditioning Association. I have over a decade f experience helping others manage their weight and improve their health. I’ve taught Yoga and Tai Chi classes. I’ve conducted workshops and given presentations to very large groups and small ones alike. I just published my first book entitled Nutrition Mission: Dieting Is Not Impossible. Writing a book has been a goal of mine for a long time and I finally did it. I have plans to write more books. I have a lot of material already written, and almost ready to go. In addition I have many more ideas for other works.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The nam of my latest book is Nutrition Mission: Dieting Is Not Impossible. There are many things that inspired this book. I took multiple nutrition classes. I’m always reading about nutrition, healthy foods, and healthy cooking. I find food in and of itself very inspiring. It stimulates the senses and nourishes our bodies. It can make us feel energetic and full of life. I’m always thinking of what Hippocrates, the father of medicine said “Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food.”
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure if this is unusual, but I like to write at random times. I don’t like to force myself, although sometimes I do. Sometimes, I can sit in front of the computer screen for hours and not write much of anything. Other times it just flows out of me and time seems to stand still. I like to tap into that energy whenever possible. I also find myself just jotting notes or phrases of paragraphs down whenever they come to me as not to lose them later. I find I often work well at night. Just when I think the day is over and I won’t be very productive, I get a second wind.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are a lot of authors who’ve influenced me. Too many to list here. To name a few, I like James Sallis. I do;’t read much fiction – I usually read nonfiction. However, I’ve read the book Drive probably seven times already and I’ll probably read it again. I also read Driven the sequel, though not as many times. I like his style of writing. His description. The strength of his characters. His direct to the point writing style. i like Daniel Coleman and his books Emotional Intelligence and Social Intelligence. I feel these are topics more people should read about and understand. Ironically I don’t read many diet books or books about nutrition because many of them are either redundant, yet less informative to what I’ve learned though formal education. Or, they’re total Bullsh**. There are two books I’ve read recently about food and nutrition that aren’t actually diet books. These have influenced me in writing my own book. These are “The Big Fat Surprise” by Nina Teicholz and “Modernist Cuisine: The Art and Science of Cooking” by Maxime Bilet and Nathan Myhrvold. These two books are quite revolutionary in the world of food and nutrition. These are the kind of books that can change the way most people perceive food and nutrition, which is what I aimed to do in my book as well. Many people simply have the wrong ideas about food and what makes up a health diet. These books do an excellent job at opening perception and uncovering truth.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on a recipe nook. I have a lot of great recipes and really enjoy cooking and eating great tasting healthy foods. I have another book I’m working on and have been working on for some time. It is about the psychology of exercise and nutrition. Why exercise and diets fail and what people can do to succeed.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I do the usuals I suppose – social media, my website, friends, family. I’m always testing and adapting to what I think will work best. I feel like I’m still and always learning when it comes to this element.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you have an idea in your head just put it out there. Life is too short. If you want to write something, write it and publish it. You’ll feel a great sense of accomplishment once you do. Not many people can write a book, or are willing to put themselves on the line Let go of any and all fear and do what you feel. People will respect you for that alone.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Whatever happens, you’ll work it out.
What are you reading now?
A book on Hypnotism. Not necessarily how to hypnotize someone, but how politicians, and advertising uses hypnotic techniques to persuade mass numbers of people. This is to avoid being persuaded and following the herd. Very interesting and scary.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Continuing to write my newsletters, and get my next two books I’ve been working on published
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
“How to Survive and Thrive on a Desert Island”
“How to Find your Way Back to Civilization from a Desert Island” hahaha – I just made those up, but I’d find the closest things. Those would be my first choices lol
“Drive” by James Sallis
“The Hero with a Thousand Faces”
“Psycho cybernetics”
“Lord of the Flies” – for obvious reasons
Author Websites and Profiles
Andrew Schmarje Website
Andrew Schmarje Amazon Profile
Andrew Schmarje’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account