He was the 2004 and 2007 weightlifting world champ in the under-75kg category.
With AUT University, he is researching the benefits of the ketogenic diet, which is essentially eating a tiny amount of carbohydrates and rather more protein, fats and vegetables. He reckons this changes the way the body regulates itself, causing it to use an increased amount of fat for fuel, which is good for weight loss. "The key driver of fat gain is carbs," he says. "You can eat some but you just need a fraction of what you are probably eating." He promotes eating natural, whole and unprocessed foods. And if you're doing that, "you are probably okay".
He has written three books.
He's one of the creators of the sports nutrition brand NuZest.
The experience: I've come to see Cliff for some mind and body exercises. I expect to do some exercises like yoga or deep breathing, of which he is a fan. Instead, he gives me a good talking to.
He tells me the trick is all about exercising the mind, or rather trying to re-set your thinking, which helps with goal-setting. Our minds drive our bodies, not the other way around.
We tend to think we can exercise until our muscles scream "stop" but physiologically, we can do more if we set our minds to it. So how we think and feel about things can affect performance.
He teaches people how to think more positively, perform better and to set the right goals.
Cliff says it's all about "flipping people's belief patterns".
For example, instead of someone thinking "I want to one day lose weight" or "I want to be a faster runner", they should tell themselves "I am losing weight", "I'm now eating wisely", or "I am a faster runner".
This present-tense self-talk and self-belief stuff is fuel for adopting positive behaviour and bringing about change.
Cliff says a lot of people are weighed down by how they think they are. For example, if someone was told when they were young that they were fat, then they may think that is how they will always be and remain on that path. Clients are good at self-sabotage, he says.
He also analyses habits which lead to lifestyle choices, such as being a workaholic or comfort-eater.
He gets to the core of why clients might do these things and then looks at how to redress those habits.
Another one of Cliff's tricks is to tell clients to bring "mindful attention" to what they do.
For example, when you turn up to the gym, concentrate solely on what you're doing, not on what to have for dinner.
This is to focus on training well and lead to performing well.
Cliff says he gives clients tools to help them improve fitness-wise or health-wise.
Ultimately he wants people to believe in themselves, set goals and go for them wholeheartedly. That's his big goal.
How much? Initial consultation (90mins) $225. Follow-up $75 (30mins), $125 (60mins).
Worth it? Before you think this positive affirmation stuff might be a tad hippy, think again. Many top athletes, boardroom members and business people use it. As for the ketogenic diet, I'm seeing how that rolls as some interesting international research is being done.
Try it: Cliff is at Ascension Health, 7 Ascension Place, Rosedale South, North Shore, Auckland, cliff@cliffharvey.com.
Rating: 9/10
