The Heroes’ Transformation a review

By:  Els aka Nerd on the Run

The Heroes’ Transformation by Jeff Mueller (aka The Mighty Jerd) is a three e-book bundle that equips readers with the tools for becoming a healthier individual.  The book is split up into three sections, each commenting on different aspects of health. 

The first section discusses the philosophy of transforming your body into the hero it has always been destined to become. Jeff walks through 8 crucial principles that you need to know to be victorious in the path towards health.  Each tenet is throughly explained, while providing easy tips to accomplish each principle successfully. The guide also educates the reader about the basics of food, and what you should and shouldn't be eating.

The second piece of the transformation guide delves into a key component of a healthy lifestyle: food.  A comprehensive list of kitchen essentials is given, as well as the necessary food that should become staples in the pantry & cupboards. Jeff provides numerous recipes for every meal of the day, and even offers options on how to change/flavor these meals differently.  In addition, the Jeff lists additional resources on diets and meal plans. 

The final installment of The Heroes’ Transformation provides the strategies to implement a healthy lifestyle.  Jeff gives real ideas on how to stay motivated when beginning this lifelong process.  He warns of the common pitfalls that accompany the health world, as well as offering insight about the groceries to buy and where to buy them.

As a nerd of both science and comics, I LOVED this comprehensive guide.  Jeff did an excellent job giving the facts about diet & exercise while not overwhelming the reader with unnecessary health/science jargon.  Everything is well explained but not overly verbose, and Jeff is hilarious and makes you chuckle on each page.  As an added bonus, the nerd references that are woven throughout these books made me squee & fangirl with delight.  Jeff truly accomplishes merging the fitness and nerd worlds in these e-books.   

The Heroes’ Transformation will be available September 8, 2014 on thejerd.com for ONLY $12!  You can read more tips from Jeff on his blog The Mighty Jerd and follow along with his tweets on Twitter: @themightyjerd.  If you sign up for his newsletter NOW you will be given a discount when the book is released and a free e-book The Top 7 Fitness Obstacles Newbies Face!

As a nerd how do you get your fitness on?  Comment below and let us know what you think of Jeff's book once it is released!

Nerd HQ 2014 Wrap Up by Nerd on the Run

By:  Nerd on the Run aka Els

I was fortunate enough to attend Nerd HQ for the second time this year, and it has become my favorite & most looked forward to event of San Diego Comic Con weekend! 

While Nerd HQ 2014 was similar to last year’s epic event, I believe Zac & the Nerd Machine made an even better experience this year.  And of course as with the three previous HQ’s, there was no SDCC badge required to attend, and the event was free to enter!  Here were a few AMAZING changes to 2014s Nerd HQ:

*New Tech:  The Nerd Machine launched an app (available for both Apple and Android devices) making all the Nerd HQ news & alerts for the weekend available in one place. In the beginning the app did have a few bugs, but by the time my plane landed in San Diego the app was running smoothly. And it was FANTASTIC!  

The app had listings for all the upcoming Conversations for a Cause, a place for last minute celebrity and/or panel alerts, and The Nerd Machine's Facebook/Twitter/Website easily accessible within the app. The Nerd Machine also incorporated RFID technology this year. Once you downloaded the HQ app, there was a place to register.  This free registration allowed you to connect YOUR social media and mobile device to a code that would be uniquely yours.  Upon arrival at HQ, you would show the confirmation code you registered and receive an RFID bracelet (and an awesome fancy medallion necklace).  This bracelet was awesome because if you took photos at the photo booth, you could scan the bracelet and your photos would automatically be sent to your social media sites and mobile phone.  With the tech, you could also check in for panels or at Nerd HQ itself.  While the bracelets did have a few issues, they were fixed as quickly as possible and worked well for me the rest of the weekend.  

*MORE Celeb Interactions:  There were 31 Conversations for a Cause this year, and while many panelists returned from years past, there were also new panelists added this year. Some of the conversations included:  Supernatural, The Walking Dead, Zachary Levi, Nathan Fillion, Adam Baldwin, Sesame Street, Orphan Black, The Maze Runner, and Stephen Amell.  Ticket sales went roughly the same as last year, and sold out just as quickly!  There were also more Smiles for Smiles opportunities with awesome celebs this year.  Some included:  Zachary Levi, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk, Yvonne Strahovski, Retta, Missy Peregrym, Sesame Street, and Jason Ritter.  Once again, the tickets for any Conversation for a Cause were $22 and all proceeds went to Operation Smile.  Smiles for Smiles were $20 (cash only) and also went to the charity.

*Other:  Nerd HQ is a fantastic place for celebrity interactions and intimate panels, but there was still plenty more to do!  There were green screen photo booths by Intel, a 22 minute Alien Isolation demo (you’ll have to ask The Gamer Geek about that one!), as well as time to catch up with friends and make some new ones.  

Overall, I truly believe Zac and the Nerd Machine put on an incredibly fun and successful event.  (And if you weren’t able to attend or missed a sold-out panel, the Nerd Machine has graciously put the conversations on their You Tube channel for your viewing pleasure!)  But what’s even better was that us nerds raised OVER $260,000 for Operation Smile. That is over 1000 children’s lives CHANGED forever.  I hope that Nerd HQ continues this amazing and charitable event in the years to come!!

Introducing our NEWEST The Nerdy Girlie team member: Nerd On The Run!!!

Introducing our NEWEST The Nerdy Girlie team member:  @nerdontherunEls!!!

The Nerdy Girlie team met Els for the very first time in person at 2013's SDCC.  She, The Music Maven and I had been corresponding over Twitter before the con and made a deal to meet up!  Both she and the Music Maven are Colorado girls!   We had a long time to chat and nerd out together about our love of Zachary Levi, Chuck and Fringe!  She  even joined us at the Nerd HQ Serenity screening that very night!

2013 was Els' very first SDCC and she even went it alone!  She only had a one day pass that year, so that gave her three entire days to discover everything about Zachary Levi's Nerd HQ!  Check out her tips and tricks for Nerd HQ HERE!

Els has written a few articles for us here at The Nerdy Girlie and has been an amazing friend to the entire team!  We are so happy to have her as an official team member for THIS SDCC 2014!  Make sure you say hi and welcome her to the team when you see us at SDCC this year!

I am so glad we found each other, she is such a kind and caring nerdy girlie!  Learn even more about Els in our Geek Girls Gab interview!  You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram where she will be posting all of our SDCC adventures!  Check back after SDCC for her Nerd HQ 2014 wrap up!

I Want My Nerd HQ 2014: FAQs

By:  Els

{Editor's Note:  Fun fact, Els and I met for the first time in person at 2013's SDCC!  We clicked immediately!  We walked and talked through the floor together AND met at the Nerd HQ Serenity screening.  We were insta-nerd-friends!  She spent so much time at Nerd HQ that year and is a HUGE Zac Levi fan, she is the first person I go to with all my Nerd HQ questions! }

There has been a lot of buzz about the I Want My Nerd HQ campaign over the last few weeks on social media. If you don’t know what this campaign is about or you have heard of it and still have lingering issues, here are 10 frequently asked questions (and answers!) about the current crowd-funding campaign:

What is the I Want My Nerd HQ campaign about?

Nerd HQ is a 4 day 3 night convention put on by Zachary Levi (Chuck, Tangled, Thor: TDW) and his company, The Nerd Machine. It occurs during the time of San Diego Comic Con and provides a mini convention experience. There are celebrity panels, dance parties, photo booths, and video game demos. This year, Zac needs our help. Due to scheduling conflicts with sponsors and money from sponsors not always coming through, Zac took a huge financial hit with last year’s HQ. So this year, Zac is asking the Nerd Army for a one time $5 contribution to the event to help make it possible.

Is Nerd HQ free to enter?

Yes! There is absolutely no entry fee into the venue where Nerd HQ is held (Petco Park). You can enjoy taking countless photos with friends, test out video games, and relax on couches equipped with charging stations for all your devices at no cost to you – that is all completely free. However, if you wish to attend a panel (Conversations for a Cause) or take a Smiles for Smiles photo with a celebrity, that will cost you around $20 – but 100% of the proceeds go to Operation Smile. 

Is this a non-profit event?

No. However any money generated during that weekend (with the exception of The Nerd Machine merchandise available) is donated to Operation Smile. Last year, over $200,000 was raised for charity. This event is about getting an unforgettable fan experience and bridging the gap between fans and celebrities while helping others in need.

Is a $1 Million dollar budget necessary?

According to Zac, yes. The main cost is the venue, as well as the production for the panels as well as the professional photobooths, etc. Any money we raise will be used for things we, the fans, can benefit from. That means any money raised will NOT go towards the celebrity/sponsor party that Zac has on Friday night (he will pay for that himself). But remember that Zac throws US an amazing party on Thursday night and trust me, you don’t want to miss it!

Why aren’t there incentives for the campaign?

Zac has clearly stated that the main incentive for this campaign is Nerd HQ itself. He realizes that for some people asking for a $5 donation is a lot, and does not want to make their contribution any less special. So while there are no incentives like t-shirts for donating, there are still perks. For example, if you donate to the campaign you are entered to win a Skype call from Zac. There will also be multiple perks like this coming up, so be sure to follow Zac & The Nerd Machine on twitter to get the latest.

If I can’t attend, why should I contribute?

Every panel hosted during Nerd HQ will be streamed LIVE and for FREE. That means if you can’t physically come to San Diego in July, you can still participate from anywhere around the world. You can experience the panels from your home, comfy in your pajamas. I believe this year will also feature a chance for those participating online to ask questions of the panelists!

Will NerdHQ happen this year regardless?

Baring anything totally bizarre, Zachary Levi has said Nerd HQ 2014 WILL happen.

I am not able to donate, can I still help?

Yes yes yes! Nerds have proven that we have a powerful voice. So even if you can’t donate, you can help spread the word! Share the campaign link, tell your family and friends, and reach out to those who may not have a clue about this nerd movement. 

What does this have to do with a ‘Chuck’ movie?

The success of this crowd-funding campaign does not affect whether there will a Chuck movie or not. Zac has always expressed interest in creating a Chuck movie and told us this current campaign is a litmus test. He wants to see if fans would be willing to donate to a cause with the only incentive being the actually product (Nerd HQ, Chuck movie, etc.). But the outcome of this campaign will not determine if there is a Chuck movie.

Where can I find more information if my question wasn’t answered here?

If you still have questions, concerns, doubts please check out these links:

I Want My Nerd HQ Indiegogo

U Stream with Zach Levi

Zach Levi Facebook Page

Also, follow Zachary Levi and The Nerd Machine on twitter for any additional info.

{Comment below if you have any additional questions about San Diego Comic Con. You can also check out our San Diego Comic Con Guide for more useful tips and tricks!  If this post helped you, share please share it with your friends!}

SDCC: Nerd HQ Tips & Tricks!

{Editor's Note:  Fun fact, Els and I met for the first time in person at 2013's SDCC!  We clicked immediately!  We walked and talked through the floor together AND met at the Nerd HQ Serenity screening.  We were insta-nerd-friends!  She spent so much time at Nerd HQ that year, I HAD to ask her to share her tips with YOU!  So here is MY Nerd HQ go to gal with her tips and tricks on conquering the HQ and having an amazing time WITHOUT an SDCC badge!}

By:  Els aka Nerd on the Run {Learn more about Els in our Geek Girls Gab interview!}

Having only scored a San Diego Comic Con ticket for one day last year, I spent most of my time at Nerd HQ.  And let me tell you, it was so worth it.  Nerd HQ is hosted by Zachary Levi (actor in Chuck, Tangled, Thor: TDW), and his company The Nerd Machine.  

Held at Petco Park last year, HQ was the perfect place to combat the craziness of the Con while still getting the complete nerd experience and you didn't need a SDCC badge to attend. Couches were equipped with charging stations, and stadium food and drinks were easily accessible.  As a gamer, I loved the free to play Xbox & PC gaming stations as well as the retro arcade games.  I also loved the professional photo booths set up around HQ.  They were also free, and you could go take as many photos as you wanted with whomever you wanted.  Once you took a photo, you were able to e-mail yourself a digital copy as well as receive an actual print out.  And to even make Nerd HQ even more epic, they hosted big events throughout the weekend such as:

*Nerd party:  Kicking it off on a Thursday night, Zac throws a huge dance party.  And trust me…you would NOT want to miss it.  Many celebrities showed up ready to dance the night away, and the DJ last year was incredible.  It was an entire night of FUN and a great way to release SDCC stress. {FREE to enter and all ages}.

*Serenity screening: Thousands of us Browncoats (complete with our Jayne hats) descended onto the Petco Park baseball field to watch our beloved movie on a giant jumbo screen.  And as an added bonus, Captain Mal Reynolds and Wash themselves joined us and provided hilarious commentary.  Tickets (around $15) were very easy to get, and all the proceeds went to Operation Smile.

*Conversations for a Cause:  Similar to SDCC, there were numerous panels all weekend.  Only 250 people were allowed in each panel, but it created a more intimate setting between the panelists and fans.  Last year some of the panels included:  Doctor Who, Nathan Fillion, Zachary Levi, Supernatural, Joss Whedon, and Tom Hiddleston.  Tickets were purchased ahead of time, and cost around $22.  All of the proceeds went to Operation Smile.  

*Smiles for Smiles:  This was an opportunity to meet and take a picture with your favorite actor/actress!  Some celebrities that participated last year were:  Zachary Levi (he did one at least every day), Nathan Fillion, Yvette Nicole Brown, and Stan Lee.  While the photo booth was normally free, if you wanted to participate in a Smiles for Smiles the cost was $20 – with the money directly donated to Operation Smile. 

{Tips & Tricks}

*Twitter:  I cannot stress this enough…follow the Nerd Machine (@thenerdmachine) and Zachary Levi (@ZacharyLevi) on Twitter!  Any and all updates will be tweeted out, so I suggest having their tweets sent directly to your phone.  Last minute Smiles for Smiles were constantly announced via Twitter, as well as any additional available tickets to panels. {How to set tweets to text your phone}

*Cash:  If you want a photo with a celebrity during a Smiles for Smiles, it’s cash only.

*Tickets: Just like with SDCC, scoring panel tickets can come down to luck.  My best advice is if multiple panels are going on sale at the same time, pick the one you want to go to the most.  You may be able to buy tickets for other panels, but make sure you go for the one you just have to attend – it all sells out quickly.  Last year some tickets weren’t released until I was already in San Diego…but I was able to purchase tickets on my iPad from my hotel room, so buying tickets on a mobile device shouldn’t be a problem.

*Charity:  Remember this weekend is also about charity!  Any panel, Smiles for Smiles, or auction you participate in is a direct donation to Operation Smile.  So feel good about helping those in need while having once in a lifetime experiences!  Take a time to thank TNM, the volunteers, and all involved with Nerd HQ for being generous with their time.

{Comment below if you have any additional questions about San Diego Comic Con. You can also check out our San Diego Comic Con Guide for more useful tips and tricks!  If this post helped you, share please share it with your friends!}

Geek Girls Gab with Els, Nerd on the Run

I met Els for the very first time in person at 2013's SDCC.  She, The Music Maven and I had been corresponding over Twitter before the con and made a deal to meet up!  I am so glad we found each other, she is an amazing nerdy girlie!  We had a long time to chat and nerd out together about our love of Zach & Fringe!  She and her dad even joined us at the Nerd HQ Serenity screening!

I’m Els, and I’m from Colorado. I’m a runner, hopeless romantic, amateur photographer, Pinterest recipe attempter, and off-key shower singer. I was fortunate enough to attend my very first SDCC & Nerd HQ this year, and there is a big nerdy glasses shaped piece of my heart that I left there in San Diego...

The Nerdy Girlie:  What is your 1st nerd memory?

Els:  When I was 3, I became obsessed with Beauty & the Beast. No other Disney Princess could compare to Belle. I adored her because of her smarts, love of books, and desire to learn. And once I saw that she cared more about the library than the castle, there was no denying Belle was my favorite. ;) Wanting to be just like her, I begged my Grandma to make me a Belle costume. But I didn’t want the princess outfit…oh no. I wanted the blue dress with the white apron… along with the basket to carry all of my books in. I didn’t realize I started cosplaying at such a young age! And the rest is nerdy history! 

TNG:  How and why did you start blogging?

Els:  I’m not really much of a blogger, but I do have a WordPress and Tumblr floating around the dark spaces of the internet! ;)

TNG:  YOUR favorite blog?

Els:  My two FAVORITE blogs are The Nerdy Girlie and The Nerd Machine. I get all my SDCC & cosplay information from Megan’s blog (you’re the best, Meg!), and I love reading the articles posted on TNM. I also have a love affair with photography blogs.

TNG:  What is your favorite thing/things to nerd out about?

Els:  I graduated college with my degree in Biology, so I am a HUGE science nerd. I can drone on and on about molecules, biological pathways, and chemistry. And of course, I geek out daily over my two favorite shows, Chuck and Fringe. And anything that Joss Whedon (Firefly & Dollhouse, anyone?!) is involved in is a must!

TNG:  Any tips for San Diego Comic Con?

Els:  Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Tackling my very-first-ever day at SDCC alone, I was overwhelmed. I got lost in the throngs of fellow nerds and honestly had no clue where I was going. I even texted my friend who had been in the Con the day before, “Where the hell is the entrance to this thing?!”  Eventually I found a big line of people, and asked what they were waiting for. “This is to get into the Exhibit Floor.” Bingo! 

Also, strike up conversations with people. I mean, we are all there for the same basic reason – to geek out for four days! Everyone is so nice at SDCC, and being able to talk about fandoms, comics, (*cough*) Zachary Levi, or anything nerdy is beyond awesome.

TGN:  Girlie things you love?

Els:  If I can take a hot bubble bath with a glass of wine in one hand and a good book in the other, I’m one happy girlie! 

I also love kisses… like getting a kiss on the cheek. FROM ZACHARY LEVI! ;) (Still can’t believe that happened!!!) xoxo

Now Els is a part of The Nerdy Girlie Team.  She writes under Nerd on the Run about everything from fitness, books and of course Nerd HQ!  THIS is why I started this blog and continue to do it, to make amazing new friends like Els!  Follow her on Twitter:  @elshannahb.