Get to Zero

Have you ever had one of those transformation based conversations with someone? You know...one of those conversations where the light bulb turns on and you have this amazing epiphany. A few years back I had one of those conversations with a good friend of mine. We were discussing the state of human existence and making moves to get ahead in life and immediately I thought of a concept that til this day shapes the person I am. It is the concept of getting to zero. 

Now you might be saying at to yourself at this point "Why would getting to zero be of any significance? I mean isn't zero a negative thing?" And I would tell you that while zero might mean not having much, it also means having the ability to obtain everything you need in your life to be successful. If you really think about it, zero is the starting point of all things. It is the blast off point for progress and growth in all areas of one's life. If a person can get to to zero then they have a great foundation for getting into the most positive aspects of the human existence. This however, cannot be accomplished if you are in the negative. And now you might be saying, "What is the negative?"

It's like this...take any area of your life and if you feel and/or know that you definitively unhappy and moving backwards then you are in the negative. Let's take money for instance. A topic that many people are struggling with and are in the negative. If you are credit card rich, cash poor and aren't planning for your retirement then you are in a negative financial state. You can't possibly move forward financially if you don't have a positive and effective growth system for income and expenses. Or how about someone who constantly jumps jobs or stays in a negative job situation. You can't possibly find happiness in a job situation if you constantly leave good jobs when you think the grass is greener. And in the same vein, you can't find your best job opportunity when you allow yourself to be continually treated negatively in a job. Oh and how about relationships, which is so personal to each and everyone. You can't flourish a relationship if neither party has communicated the expectations and desires of each other.. You also can't flourish any type of relationships if both parties don't continue to work and grow with each other as the years pass by. These are all negative states of being. 

So, what does getting to zero and ultimately getting into the positive look like in these situations?

Money...no debt and pay for things with cash. Plan for your future.

Job...if you have a good/great one...keep it and grow it! If you have a bad one...find a new one or take the jump to get more education in a new area to do something you love. 

Relationships...communicate and set the expectations from the beginning of any relationship to build long term success.

While these are big areas of each person's life, you can approach getting to zero which means moving towards the positive in all aspects of your life no matter how big or small it may be. However, before you can do that you need to ask yourself one question. Real simple. Are you at zero?

Until next time....

Dr. D

The Shoe Revolution

 Shoes are an important. Period. People love looking at shoes, commenting on shoes and certainly buying shoes. Over the last handful of years, running as a wide spread activity has grown tremendously and with the rise in running there has been an evolution in the type of running shoes available to the general population. People are spending time researching which shoes are best for their running performance. It is astonishing to me because as a former collegiate track and field athlete, running was always looked down on as a brutal way to maintain and increase fitness levels. It was the last resort for many people in the population. Now, it is many people's first choice not only fitness, but for recreational challenges such as mud runs and adventure runs.

Recent running shoe history has focused on taking advantage of the rise in running in the general population. A few years back the big craze was the barefoot running based shoes such as the Vibrams. These web/glove like shoes have focused on getting people as close to possible to running barefoot. I used to see so many people wearing these, but lately I have noticed less and less people wearing them. What I am seeing is shoe companies coming into the covered shoe minimalist phase. This phase is focusing on zero drop technology or standard based running shoes that are extremely light weight with lots of heel support. While many companies have entered into these technologies, one company has really begun to shine in my opinion in how they focus on the new style of running shoe. Saucony, which has been around for many years, has done an excellent job in recent times focusing on the runner market.

Saucony's latest shoe running shoe offerings are closer to the type of shoes I believe are best for running performance. As a current exercise professional and avid exerciser, the type of shoes I wear are important to me and my clients. Recently, Saucony, in conjunction with Fitfluential, selected me to test out their new running shoe, the Kinvara 4's. In one of my recent blog posts titled "Its Gotta Be the Shoes," I was able to review one of Saucony's other new releases, the Virrata. In my opinion the Kinvara 4's are a step above those and that is saying a lot because I really enjoy the Virrata's!

The Kinvara 4's are not only a bit more stylish (love the shiny red color for men), but also better for running performance. While the Virrata focuses on the zero drop technology which results in a solid yet more minimalist shoe (think less heel support), the Kinvara 4 focuses on increased heel support with a comparable lightweight feel. As a runner, I always look for heel support and these accomplish that. I ran both outside and on the treadmill in addition to wearing them during group exercise and when I did personal training with my clients. I believe it is important to test your shoes out in a variety of settings and experiences and the Kinvara 4's were excellent each time I wore them. When I ran I felt light with each foot strike over a long period of time. I also noticed that these shoes were comfortable in just wearing them around for work. This was key to me because many running performance shoes are really just for running. They normally are difficult to wear when working all day, but the Kinvara 4's functioned well in exercise and non-exercise activities which I believe make them the ideal recreational and performance shoe.

So, where the shoe revolution will lead us next is going to be exciting. I believe we are continuing to head back to shoes that provide more support and comfort, but that also utilize increasing technologies to achieve that. Time will only tell what will stick for people, but I believe these Kinvara 4's are headed in the right direction for both running performance and activities of daily living. Plus, who doesn't love the Kinvara 4's awesome packaging that says "Warning, Contents May Activate Your Kickassimus!"

Disclosure: I received a free pair of shoes as part of being a Fitfluential Ambassador. I was not compensated and the viewpoints expressed in this blog are my own.

The Magic Behind Meeting People

I haven't always been an outgoing person. When I was in high school I was a very shy and introverted person. Athletics was the main way I felt comfortable expressing myself. Besides that I used to just keep to myself. When I began college I keep with that same approach, but it was debilitating for me. I never felt like I could walk up to anyone and just get to know them. To be honest I was scared to talk to people. I was afraid of rejection and people thinking I was weird by just starting up a conversation with them. After a few semesters in college, I decided I needed to challenge myself to open up. I enrolled in Public Speaking and that class changed my life. I had to get up in front of people every week and speak. It was so nerve racking, but after that course I felt like I could talk to anybody. 

Fast forward to today where any of you reading this who know me well would never think I was that guy who could not talk to people. I make it my mission to meet as many people as possible now. Why? Well, two things. One, meeting people and learning their story is fascinating! Everyone has a rich and deep history that I enjoy learning about. Two, meeting people is how the magic happens both personally and professionally. I can't tell you how many times I have met random people through networking events, twitter chats, speaking engagements, etc. and it has led to wonderful outcomes not only for my personal life, but for my business. I met my wife almost 10 years ago because I took a chance. I have one of the best fitness management jobs in my profession because I wanted to explore a different work environment. I have a thriving side personal training business because of the wonderful personal relationships I have created with awesome people here in Vegas. Meeting people is magical!

So what's the lesson? Put yourself out there and watch your life blossom over time. I know it can be hard. Believe me, I have been there! You have to put in the work and make yourself open to the possibilities that are out there. Make it your mission to meet someone new each week. Doesn't matter where you are. You have that opportunity. The other day I started up some small talk with a gentleman who was directing people to where the Wicked Spoon Buffet is in the Cosmopolitan Hotel here in Vegas. He and I walked for a while around the property and we talked about our kids. I have never met this guy before in my life, but next time I go to the Cosmo he is going to remember me and I am going to remember him. I met a lady in town square a few days ago while I was walking with my groceries to my car. Her and her daughter helped me with my groceries and walked with me from one side of Town Square to the other. We talked about Easter Sunday and how helping others is a wonderful show of love. I never saw this woman and her daughter before in my life. I regularly go on Twitter and ask people who live in Vegas to meet with me after having some small talk with them. What do I want from them? Just an opportunity to learn their story and hopefully help them in whatever way I can. That's magical to me and you can't buy that or manufacture it. 

I sometimes I think back to those speeches I made during Public Speaking class. They certainly weren't the best speeches, but they gave me confidence as a sea of eyes looked upon me each week to evaluate my performance. It was hard work and it was terrifying, but never could I imagine that getting outside my comfort zone would put me on the pathway towards the life I have now. It was totally worth it!

Until next time...

Dr. D

Agents of Happiness

Its official. The tide is turning quickly and if you don't catch on quickly then you will be one of the many who will be looking at things as they were and not as they are. I saw them everywhere. They were infectious and outgoing...passionate and kind...helpful and hopeful. Yup, I left IHRSA 2013 knowing that the people who are agents of happiness are multiplying at a staggering rate. You could just feel it. As I walked the expo floor of IHRSA I was astonished by all of the good vibes being broadcast by so many fitness, health and wellness professionals. People were smiling, laughing and engaging in quality conversations. It was beautiful to see.

I also found this to be the case with some really dynamic presenters at IHRSA. Now, I could also say that there were some difficult to get through presentations due to low energy from some presenters, but that was far and few between in my experience. I experienced presenters who were serious agents of happiness which means these folks are serious agents of change. I saw a presentation by Nicholas Kristakis, supremely accomplished scientist and professor at Harvard University that blew me away. His discussion based on the research on why and how people connect with others was educational and though provoking.

I saw the wonderful folks of the American Council on Exercise provide a genuine argument for their new action plan to wipe out obesity by 2035 called "Do well by doing good." Just an awesome plan that evokes community involvement not only by those in the community, but also by the executives of ACE. They plan on doing an Action Plan Tour in which they will sit down with owner/operators of fitness facilities to get them to focus more on behavior modification and creating a more inviting way for the 80% of people who don't exercise regularly to become physical active. They are spreading happiness with a message of we care going to provide you with the truth and not confuse people about what fitness really. I love it!

I saw an agent of happiness in Roberta Fordham who is a fellow WTS team member based out of Ashburn Villiage in Virginia. Her talk about "Positioning Your Club for Success" was less about operations and more about giving happiness and love towards your staff and members. And I saw these types of talks all week as the model of business is beginning to shift. While bottom line results are still important, people are becoming more aware that in order to get those results you have to be an agent of happiness to others and to yourself! Mark my words...if you think you can micro manage people then watch out because the agents of happiness are going to run you over. We are going to smash every fiber and being of what you think it means to run a great business.

And you know being happy doesn't mean that you are weak and less of an authority figure. Listen I will be the first person to let an employee go if I have done all the things I can do to coach them up and yet they still can't get right. They just need a change of scenery then and I am happy to free them up for that. But my overall goal is simple. Be a change for goodness and happiness in both my personal and professional life.

I met wonderful change agents such as Alison Hager from Kansas, Lindsay Mashburn Wright from North Carolina and Jerard Nighorn from Wisconsin. These people are simply put...good human beings. You can't beat amazing people who just demonstrate humanity in the best way. They ooze it. It's emitting out of them because they can't help it. They love their life and they want to give other people the opportunity to feel how they feel. How awesome is that?

And then there is my loyal and wonderful friends Heather Doane and Emma Pietrzak. Truly wonderful life changers who just by being at IHRSA elevated the atmosphere inside the Mandalay Bay. I could just the see the happiness floating off of them and on to others. Then there was Rick Barbee of Advanced Exercise who just might be one of the most incredible and classy people you will meet in your lifetime. And there was Rob Newkirk, Charles Ware, Debbie Woodruff, Amy Krishka, Bonnie Lang, Sarah Parker and the list keeps growing all the time.

You see, people today desperately want to be affiliated with something good and honest. Something that will give them that child like wonderment and awe. We love a good story, but most of all we love a happy journey in each person's story. And while pain and heartache are inevitable at certain times of our lives, we always have the option to rise again and claim the happiness that is out there for us.

Whether the good folks at IHRSA know this or not, this year'show was the beginning of the takeover of the happy people. I certainly did not think this was going to be the case after the first 10 minutes of me writing notes about the event, but as it went on the engine of happy agents roared and that sound will be audible for years to come.



Thank you IHRSA and especially Meredith Poppler  for allowing me to meet so many wonderful people at your 2013 show. I am grateful for the opportunity to use my blog as a platform to promote IHRSA 2013. May goodness and happiness always find you and may you help find it in others. And thank you to all of you who read my blog regularly. I know these past few blog entries have been a little different than my normal writing, but I hope that you can see that it still keeps the same heart and life lesson approach. Have a wonderful day everyone and I will leave you with this:

Who are the agents of happiness in your life?

Dr. Darian Parker

The Age of Goodness

5:30am...it was another early one in the Parker household. My wife was sleeping comfortably next to me, but I had to get up to get this day started. I knew it was going to be a full day, but I had no idea it was going to be a full day of goodness and gratitude. I rushed to get my daughter ready as we had to get out the door by 6:15am so that I could drop her off at day care at 6:30am so I could make my 6:45am training appointment for my early morning client. As usual, it was a fun and productive training session, but once I left my client's house my mind was centered on the 2013 IHRSA show at Mandalay Bay here in Las Vegas.

It is not often that you get a chance to have a large audience of your peers in one place so I was excited about the opportunity. As a Vegas local I crave meeting my fitness industry colleagues and I was not disappointed with my first day at IHRSA. Goodness and gratitude were prevalent in my connections with so many people today. I met with an old colleague of mine, Chip Huss, who is a personal training program director for a career college in Colorado. We talked about the state of the industry and how we are proud that more personal training students are taking the profession more seriously. Chip invited me to work with some athletes he has in Colorado and Vegas. Goodness was bubbling.

And if that was the bubble then the explosion was the Keynote Speaker for IHRSA, Bert Jacobs, one of the co-founders of and Chief Executive Optimist of the Life is Good Company. He brought the house down with his laid back, honest, humorous and refreshing look at doing business in today's world. You know a presentation is going to be awesome when the presenter throws frisbees for attendees to catch. His whole presentation was centered on one common theme...optimism is the most powerful tool for success in life. He mentioned several times how choosing good things leads to growth in more good things. My favorite thing he said however, was how people always say "I should do this or that, but people should say I GET TO do this or that." The message? Be glad in the things you get to do like taking care of your family, having a job, raising your kids, etc. Seems like in life that we feel this obligation to "HAVE TO" do things, but in reality we GET To do so many wonderful things. No need to complain and as Bert said in another brilliant statement, "Don't knock something. Build it!"

I left Bert's presentation feeling like goodness was pouring out of me and it was a great feeling. That feeling kept flowing as I met immediately with Alison Hager. Alison is a personal trainer from Wichita, Kansas who I met on Twitter a few weeks back. Per my nightly ritual, I try to reach out to fitness professionals all over the country via twitter. I came across Allison and her story of passion for the fitness industry was inspiring. I asked if we could meet in a few weeks at IHRSA and she was excited to do so. I told her I would tweet her after the Optimism lecture to see if we could meet up. Alison tweeted me before I could get the chance and we met right near pre-registration. I was so impressed with her connection to fitness and her "can do" attitude. It made me want to help her in the future which I plan on doing. Funny...I messaged so many people to chat at IHRSA, but Alison was the one who wholeheartedly took me up on the offer. Goodness is coming her way!!

As I was about to enter the last session I was attending for the day, I was stopped by a gentleman near the door of the session. He said  and I quote "man, I see you everywhere here at the convention! You are talking to everyone so I just wanted to reach out to you." I thought it was interesting that this guy noticed that. We ended up chatting about our favorite sport, football, and he told me he was from Wisconsin. So, of course his favorite team is the Green Bay Packers. I told him my wife loves the Packers and he said you and your wife come to Green Bay and we'll go to a Packers game together. Did I mention all of this happened in the span of 10 minutes? Goodness was now just covering the planet in my view!

The last session I attended was on Remaining Relevant in Today's Tech Savvy World. While I tweeted quite a bit about this, I noticed that not much action was happening on retweets and replies. And it really just confirmed something to me. We are moving into an age where happiness, goodness and kindness grow brands much better than numbers do. While social media and reports have their place, nothing is as powerful as spreading goodness to others. And to quote Bert Jacobs, "if you want to build your brand you have to build it with your community. Let your consumers build your brand, not you."

I had to leave the presentation a bit early as I needed to drive 20 minutes back up the road to check in on a new employee to make sure she was feeling comfortable as one of my new trainers. In the course of chatting with her I found out that her husband is familiar with my brother, who is prominent indie hip hop artist, Wordsmith.  Her husband is a DJ in Vegas, but he knows my brother's music which is coming straight out of Baltimore, MD. Goodness everywhere!

Finally, I "got to" train my long term client at 5pm today who is not only a client, but a good friend. I always workout with him during the session and he loves it. We push each other so hard. We sweat and we laugh. Isn't that a great combination? Then I "got to" pick up my daughter from day care and give her a big kiss and a hug. We got home and I feed her dinner and put her to sleep and now I am recapping my goodness filled day. Just feels so good!

Thanks for taking the time to read this blog post about my day and my IHRSA experience. I am back for my IHRSA presentations and networking March 20th and 21st. I can't wait to share more insights and good vibes. All the best!

Dr. Darian Parker