By: Aiste Degesys, EdD, MPH, CHES*Dean Eric Elster, MD, FACS, is a general
and transplant surgeon, as well as a surgical investigator. He recently retired
after serving in the U.S. Navy for 26 years. Now he is the Dean of the Uniformed
Services University’s School of Medicine. During his military career, he had
the honor of caring for wounded warriors. He was also deployed to both Operation
Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), and he served alongside
Marines. Dean Elster has always incorporated fitness into his lifestyle—from
daily training to
competing as an endurance athlete in marathons, triathlons, bike races, and
Spartan events. AD: Thanks so much for taking the time to speak with me, Dean Elster. I’m
excited to hear how you’ve prioritized
your own health and performance throughout your career. Why is human performance optimization
(HPO) important to you?
EE: Since fitness is a key component of my identity as I age (I’m 52
now), HPO is critical for me to prevent and recover from injuries.
AD: What’s something you would tell your younger self regarding holistic health and wellness?
EE: Don’t underestimate the power of mindfulness and performance.
Recently, I started to use a mind-body mobile app which includes short (less
than 15-minute) sessions to make the “mind-body” connection. I wish I had discovered
this tool—or realized the power of focused mindfulness—earlier.
EE: My base workouts consist of alternating strength training and cardio. For
cardio, I cycle on a stationary bike, but I prefer cycling outdoors. During the
week, these are typically 45- to 60-minute sessions at a reasonable intensity.
On the weekend, I will do a longer endurance session—2 to 4 hours on the bike
when the weather permits. I augment this with pre-workout mobility drills,
post-workout stretching, and foam rolling. Finally, I focus on performance nutrition and eat
a very “clean” diet, avoiding fast foods and ensuring enough protein for
recovery.AD: What do you see as your greatest Total Force Fitness (TFF)
strength and area for the most growth?
EE: My greatest strength is my consistency. Aside from scheduled days
off, I make it a priority to train and eat right, focusing on my Nutritional
and Physical Fitness. I can grow within TFF by better dealing with injury prevention—focusing on
how I “feel” when assessing workouts rather than over-relying on physical
fitness “metrics.”
AD: Can you discuss a specific time when you used the interconnectedness
of the TFF domains to help you perform at your best?
EE: While I was deployed in Kandahar, Afghanistan
at the peak of OEF, the ability to maintain TFF was critical to my ability to
function as a leader and surgeon during what was essentially a “marathon.”
AD: What’s one challenge you've faced in
prioritizing your own health and performance?
EE: Finding the time to workout and exercise when I
travel can be challenging. This often means waking up early, bringing my suspension
training bands with me, and looking for local options.AD: Sounds like you have a good plan in place. What advice do you have for
Service Members trying to improve their military fitness?
EE: Consistency, consistency,
consistency!
AD: Thank you so much for your
time and insight, Dean Elster. Your perspectives on TFF and HPO are much
appreciated.
Disclosure: The opinions and assertions
expressed herein are those of the authors and do not reflect the official
policy or position of USU or DoD. The contents of this publication are the sole
responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views,
opinions, or policies of The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of
Military Medicine, Inc. Mention of trade names, commercial products, or
organizations does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. The author has
no financial interests or relationships to disclose.
