Before leaving The Shop in 2017, conducting our Athlete of the Month Interviews was one of my very favorite duties; getting to take those reins back from the big fella was one of the reasons coming back was a no-brainer for me.  What a nifty interview to come back to!  In addition to a genuinely engaging conversation with Dom-Dom, I was introduced to an amazing new spot to grab a brew and a bite to eat.  Shouts to Sour Duck on the east side and eternal high fives to my new Houston home girl!

I asked Coach Mitch for a question to ask you when I was leaving Manor just now.  He wanted me to ask how many tattoos do you have?

Oh, okay!  *silently counting for about 15 seconds* I would say roughly 15 and I’m going to keep adding more.

Do you have a favorite current one?

I’m really obsessing over this piece *points to a large mostly floral piece on her arm*.  I’m getting it done at a place called Modern Heart Tattoo on Burnett and it is a girl called Karina; her specialty is flowers and she’s really amazing.

I’m going to have to get something from her because that is exactly what I like.  Okay, so I’m a movie executive and we are in an elevator together and I want you to give me the pitch of what a movie about your life would look like and why it would be compelling before I get off the elevator. 

Originally from Houston- really big Houston sports fan.  I came to Austin and have been a preschool teacher for ten years.  I am now on the cusp of being a travel nanny consistently with families.  I have traveled to Australia, The Hamptons, and a lot of other places this upcoming year.  So like going on vacations with families while watching these children but also getting to explore other countries.

So the film would be about your exploits traveling across the globe?  I think I would greenlight that.  How did you end up working out at Dane’s Body Shop?

I became really close with Stellen and Duke, Dane and Ryan’s sons, and Dane would often propose that I come to The Shop.  I went to a couple free community workouts and the gym that I was at just wasn’t inspiring me.  I had big goals and I felt like Dane’s was the best fit; the community is really amazing and all the coaches are really awesome.  I’ve seen major progress!

So what have you noticed in terms of progress and changes?

I’ve definitely lost weight that I can see.  I feel a lot stronger when running or biking or even walking and hiking.  My mood has changed entirely- I feel a lot more energetic.  I feel like I’m finally taking care of me and that feels really nice.  It used to be a dread to go to workout and now it is a pleasure.

Did you have dread when you first started at Dane’s?

I did because I always got nervous working out around other people.  The things that you think would happen in a workout class that you have nightmares about just didn’t happen.  I felt more comfortable with myself and being around others helped me to feel motivated to push myself harder.  People started telling me that because I was pushing myself to go harder they went harder; so we were motivating one another.

That is cool how that happens.  I had the same experience; when I first started taking classes, even as someone working in the fitness industry, I was terrified of the workouts.  I would come home, go straight to the bathroom, and just wring the sweat out of my clothes over the bathtub.  It was terrifying initially, but like you say then the motivation happens.

It’s the motivation!  I’ve had to step out of comfort zones at Dane’s.  It used to be that I would be shy about partner workouts or getting my name called in class, but now I walk in there with my head held high and I’m just like f*** yeah, let’s do this!  Like it is going to suck, but it is going to be worth it.  I feel like it has helped with a lot of relationships I’ve had.  People see me doing this stuff, people at work or back home in Houston who are asking me for advice on various fitness things.

You’ve brought up the community at large at the Shop- in my experience any athlete of the month or athlete of the season has particularly strong relationships within the community.  Can you talk about some of the relationships you have with people in the community?

I’m going to definitely have to call out Beth Felker because I got paired up with her on some barbell exercises during my 2nd class and I was very concerned that she had asked to partner with me because she is ripped.

She is kind of ripped.

We were doing power cleans or deadlifts and she just kind of took me under her wing and has always been my go to for personal and workout related things.

It kind of blends together doesn’t it?

Yes!  She helped me to realize I could “do it”.  Very motivating and good at giving me pointers.

And that was before she was a coach?

Yeah!

Is it weird that she is a coach now?

No, I love it.  I’ve gone to a couple of her classes and it makes me so happy.  I feel so much more comfortable in class when I know the person I am getting coached by or working out with.  Another person I would say is Coach Beth-

Beth #1?  Beth Reyburn?

Yes, Beth #1!  Another person who would just open up conversations about anything and everything.  I felt a little shy at first but then I put myself out there with her and tried to talk about personal life stuff.  She’s a great person- always checking in on me- and I feel like I need to give her big credit for being a major person in helping through my journey at The Shop.

She was intimidating for me.  I was a new coach and she was just a member, I don’t think she was certified as a trainer or anything yet, but the first class I had was 5am and I couldn’t even process it.  I was like, I don’t know if I’m worthy to be in the same room as this human!  She’s amazing.  Anyone not named Beth you’d like to shout out?

The Kragers of course.  Ryan would always be my partner during workouts.  She and Dane are really amazing people that I’m so happy I’ve gotten to know at preschool and at The Shop.  Stormie is great too and another person who is on the same level as everyone else- doesn’t think she is better than anyone, just there to teach and guide and workout.

Do you have past or current goals that you can talk about and also how you approached those goals? 

I had one goal to be the Body Shop Athlete-

So that is one goal accomplished!  How did you make that happen?

Manifesting it really hard and just constantly getting my face out there.  My next goals are losing a little bit more weight and toning up- so keeping up with strength classes.

Can you talk a little bit about the difference between Strength and Fusion in your experience?

 The way that I explain it to people is that Fusion has more kettlebells and HIIT workouts whereas Strength is more based just on two or three major barbell movements but like really stacking on the weight.  I love both of them.  I love Fusion because I love kettlebells and I appreciate the mixture of yoga and cardio and full body workouts.  I love Strength because I’m curious about the barbell movements and I have weight goals I want to hit.

Do you have any off the top of your head you’d like to share?

Yeah!  Last Community Gains, I shot for 225lbs on the deadlift and I got 210 so this year I’m going to shoot for 220 and will be okay with 215.  I’m just trying to go up in weight- that is why I’ve been going to Strength more.

We touched on your job and we’ve talked about The Shop- what else do you do when you’re not working or working out?

I like to hike, I babysit, I like to go to local art shows; last week I went to a crafts market, just being out in Austin and getting to know the city.  Spending time with my dogs-

Tell me about your dogs- what are their names, what kind of dogs are they?

Soybean and Maddie.  Soybean is a black and white shitzu and Maddie is a white maltese.  Soybean is 13, so he is a senior but he acts like a teenager- he is the love of my life.

I like to round out these interviews with a series of random questions with no relationship to The Shop.  The first one I think you might have just answered- doggies or kitties?

Both!  I’ve come around to cats because I’ve babysat for a lot of families who have cats and those cats just so happen to really like me.  I told myself that I cannot get a cat because I already have two dogs- you can’t let the animals take over.  If something were to happen to one of my dogs (heaven forbid!) I think I would get a cat.

You’re open to both?  You are good swinging both ways?

I am open to swinging both ways and they just have to accept it.

As long as everyone is open and honest with one another right?  Okay, if you were to have a song that would be your entrance song any time you walked into a room, what would that song be?

That’s so funny!  It would be Django Jane by Janelle Monae.  There is a lyric- “sassy, classy, Kool-aid with the kale”.

That is amazing!  I love Janelle Monae- I’m a big fan of “Pynk” off her newest album.  Earlier I asked for the elevator pitch on a biopic being made of your life.  Have you thought about who would play you?

Oh gosh!  I would say Brittany Murphy, but she’s not with us.

I could see that- pour one out for our homie Brittany.  Maybe we could resurrect her? 

I used to have red hair-

And you’ve got similar large eyes.  I like it- she would be great.  It is a shame that she isn’t around because I think this movie is getting made.  If you were a vegetable, what would you be and why?

I would have to say a carrot because there are so many colors and they’re delicious whether you steam them or eat them raw.  They mesh well with different dipping sauces.

Great answer!  We talked about the Shop community earlier and this is a very specific lens for looking at the community.  We’re in primary season and we just had a debate; of all the people at the Shop- coaches or members- who would you nominate to be president of The United States?

I would have to say coach Beth Reyburn.

We can go with that as a thought experiment, but unfortunately she was born in Canada so she isn’t eligible.  I think she would be great though- would Beth Felker be a runner up?

Oh yeah!  I could have called her out as well.  Oh, and Mark Hernandez!  He was the one that I initially told that I would get my name on that board (as Athlete of the Month) and he kept encouraging me and was one of the first ones I told.  He gets along with everybody-

My first reaction is that this is the best answer I’ve ever heard when asking this question, but thinking about I think my honest thought is that he is too good to be president. 

Yeah, because he like gets along with everyone!

That man has a special place in my heart.  Okay, so expanding the focus a bit, you have a chance to have a night out with any person from history alive or dead- dinner or drinks or whatever.  Who do you choose?

 Wow.  This is a big one.  I would probably want to sit and listen to Eckhart Tolle.

Oh yeah- “The Power of Now” right?  Is he a big influence on you?

Yeah, I love motivational books.  I love his view that the present moment is all you really have because I used to always be someone who would think about the future and stress about it and I would also live in the past.  I didn’t realize how much I had been missing until I started being more present- being more like I have to take advantage of now because the future might not be.  So since then I’ve said yes to a lot of things I wouldn’t have said yes to and I’ve probably made some of the best memories and met some of the best people.

That is a very thoughtful answer Dom!  A couple more quick ones- do you have a favourite taco in town?  Me coming back to town I’m trying to get as many tacos in me as possible.

The Baja Shrimp at Torchy’s and there is one at Taco Deli, a breakfast taco, with sirloin steak in it.  You have to add the mashed potatoes to it!

Oh wow!  I will throw that in to my next order at TD.  If you were a super hero, what would your power be?

Telepathy.  Although I think it would get a little stressful and I would want to be able to turn it off.  So maybe teleportation?

Anything that is tele… do you feel like you maybe have a little bit of telepathy? 

Sometimes… but sometimes I think it is just the universe manifesting what I was thinking about.

The last thing I like to ask is, that as the athlete of the month/season, they are all looking at you… all of them-

*laughing* Don’t say that!

What words of wisdom do you have for them- your loyal subjects?

*thoughtful pause* just what I tell myself- just keep pushing yourself.  You’ll be thankful in the end-  it is worth it!  Just keep going.

“Keep Going”, that is great.  It will probably be the title of this interview.  Awesome, Dom- high five!

*while high fiving* That was a lot of fun!

I count myself particularly lucky to have pinned down the jetsetting Manor Athlete of the Month for a spirited and insightful interview at Central Market on a lovely late October evening.  A top notch commercial real estate guru, Ben travels frequently and had just a small window of time in between out of town work trips.  The interview, as you will see, was a dream in a bucket.

The first question I like to ask is to think of an elevator pitch- you’re in an elevator with a movie producer and you have to sell them on making a movie about your life.  What does the pitch sound like?

What I think about is, what is my purpose?  I think about how I can make a positive impact in a community- that could manifest in my work, which is commercial real estate; it can manifest in other communities that I’m involved in as a leader, like the Jewish community; and it can manifest, hopefully, in the fitness community.  I’ve always been involved in fitness in one way or another and one of the things I love about Dane’s- and I’ve been here for almost two years now- is the community.  Although I don’t think I’ve done anything extraordinary in that particular community, I do show up and participate in things like The Field Day (mini-meet) and encourage people.  Just generally getting to know people.

I could see that having the bones of maybe like an Erin Brockovich thing.  Can you talk about something you are proud of in another community?

In the Jewish community, I’ve co-chaired and chaired events for 300 and 500 people and raised significant amounts of money.  There is a national organization that picks one leader from each community for a five year commitment, and now I’m representing Austin.  That will have us traveling quite a bit- last year the group went to Russia because we give money locally and a portion of that money gets allocated to other communities around the world.  This year, we are going to Paris which has, unfortunately, had a lot of anti-semitism going on.  We’ve created this network of people so that when something like the shooting in Pittsburgh or hurricane Harvey happens and the community needs something, we already have relationships in place so that we can be a support group for one another.

So circling back to The Shop, you said you have been year for around two years- how did you come to be at The Shop originally?

I heard about it from two friends- one of them was a coach named Courtney-

Oh Courtney Sugar!

Yeah, we were actually neighbors.  Then I moved to the east side and was looking for a new place to work out and this place was just really close and convenient.

Have you noticed any differences in your life since starting at The Shop?

I feel strong and healthy.  I live a healthy lifestyle- I mean you didn’t think I was 37!  I like routine and this is part of my routine.  For example, being out of town for a week, I wouldn’t say craving, but I was really missing having that camaraderie first thing in the morning.  I’m kind of dreading not being in a position (going out of town) tomorrow and not being able to have that.

I do want to talk about travel and fitness in a bit, but I also noticed when I was subbing your class this morning that you had a high degree of sociality around you.  The 6am and 6:30am time slots tend to be the least social because people have just rolled out of bed.  What do you talk about with people at that hour?

Just everything; we talk about travel, and their kids, and nutrition.  We talk about meeting up for drinks sometimes.  What was I shooting the shit with Sam about this morning?  Just ribbing each other-

Just good natured bro stuff?

Yeah!

This is really just me pointing out to our people in those early classes that it is okay to be social.  Take Ben’s lead and talk it up!  For traveling, do you have any secrets for maintaining fitness inertia while you are away from The Shop?

No.  I struggle when I travel.  I attempt to eat super healthy, but that can be a failure.  I attempt to do this bodyweight workout that I learned a long time ago.  I don’t have any tips- I struggle big time with that.

That is good to hear.  It is useful for people to know that someone who really has their shit together still struggles.  I was impressed when I saw you in class today.  I know that you just got back the day before and you are leaving again tomorrow.  I think most people would have skipped the workout.

I was excited about it!

Another thing I wanted to touch on was the Field Day Mini-Meet that you competed in last month.  Was that the first meet you have competed in?

The second, the first one was at Manor and I think it was a Field Day meet as well.  For this one I signed up last minute because of my travel schedule and they paired me with three other random people and we had a blast together.  Let’s see it was Barrett-

Oh yeah! Barrett and you also had Mark Hernandez and Jacqueline Hummel on your team right?  You were my favorite team!  You had such a great spirit and were so supportive of one another.  It was the right mix of being good at the events and having a good time.  You came in second place right?

Yeah, we were tied at the end and then badminton was the tie breaker.  I’m really good at badminton.

Have you hopped in on any pickleball matches yet?

Yeah!  I love that that is a thing.  I just invested in a racket and shoes; I see posts on the instagram and I go if I can.  7:30am on a Sunday is a little bit of a stretch…

Did you play tennis in high school?

I used to be a tennis instructor as a matter of fact- while I was at UT.  I taught kids and college students.  I was head instructor for the UT Tennis Club.

I’m always curious to hear how coaches react to being coached.  Do you like being coached?

Yeah, being held accountable and having someone thoughtfully produce programming that I find makes sense for me and my body.  I enjoy that and I enjoy the people; all the coaches are super nice and well-informed and qualified.  I’ve been to other gyms where we lifting weights I would constantly get injured-

Less injuries at The Shop?

Totally!

I guess that is kind of important.  The most important question though is do you have a favorite coach in terms of music selection?

Mitch is always playing rap or trap music- Post Malone type stuff.  Stormie has a good mix, Beth has a good mix, you had a good mix this morning!  I like how you triggered “Eye of The Tiger” just as we were getting in to an AMRAP.

Is there anything that you’re particularly proud of in terms of accomplishments at The Shop?

*long thoughtful pause* I pr’d (my 400m) by like one second this morning.  Sam and I were neck and neck three fourths of the way through and he was just like “let’s go!”.

Sam has that extra gear where you see him do something and you’re a little worried for his mental health-

He’s very committed.

That actually wraps up the substantial gym-related questions, but I like to round out these interviews with some more light hearted random questions.  Doggies or kitties?

Dogs.

Do you have an ideal dog?

One that doesn’t shed.  One I can run with- probably a golden doodle.

So wrestler’s have entrance songs when they come to the ring- if you had an entrance song for any time you entered a room, what would it be?

I love music- it’d be something super upbeat like Ghostland Observatory.  My favorite karaoke song is “Friends in Low Places” *sings the first couple lines in a lovely little baritone!*.

Are you a singer?

I dabble.  Music is a big part of my life- right now I am relearning piano.  I try to spend 5-10 minutes a day practicing.  I’m also trying to learn Spanish as well.  I try to meditate 5-10 minutes a day.  If I start my day that way, it will set the course for an awesome day.

So you’re a bit of a polymath?

Like a jack of all trades, master of none?  Yeah, that’s true- except for commercial real estate!

You’re a commercial real estate savant!  That was another question I wrote down- do you have a secret sauce for fundraising?

Yeah man, it is all about relationships.  My mission is to create a lasting impact in the community and that is through building relationships and being involved with the community.  Contributing and finding ways to give back as well as getting other people involved.  Secret sauce?  Working hard, showing up, communicating, and having integrity.

Going back to the elevator pitch of your life as a movie- who would play you in that film?

Based on looks, I like to pretend like it is Dean Cain.  I’d like to be Superman.

Yeah!  He’s a bit long in the tooth at this point, but mid-nineties Dean Cain?  I could totally see it!  If you were a vegetable, which one would you be and why?

I like spaghetti squash, but does it describe me?  Hard on the outside and stringy on the inside.  I don’t know…

I could see that.  Put a fork in you and pull you apart in little noodle shapes?

Maybe a tomato.  It is a unique flavor and it is the vegetable that is on every pizza.  It brings people together.

If you were to nominate a person at The Shop to be president, who would it be and why?

I’m torn right now between Mitch and Ben (Sledge).  Very different options- I respect Ben’s service in the military.  He’s always working hard even though I’m sure he’s tired because he has an infant at home.

Would you put the two of them on the same ticket?

There you go!  Ben for president and Mitch for vice because he’s going to bring some great music and energy and make sure I don’t hurt my back.

Do you have a favorite taco in town?

I like El Chillito down the street.  I do a Cherrywood with no bacon.  If I want to treat myself for a good workout, that is more often than not where I stop.

Very nice.  The last question I like to ask is do you have any words of wisdom for the community?  You kind of answered that earlier in the interview.  

I could rattle off several.  In no particular order: It is better to copy genius than create mediocrity, life is not fair- fair is made up, all we have is the present- let that shit go.  I don’t know if you want to write this or not, but I recently relearned the phrase, “No fucks given”.  What that means to me is not giving a fuck what society says about what you should or shouldn’t do or what you should be doing at a certain age or how much money you should have.  It is all fucking bullshit.  I don’t know if you want to write that, but those are some lessons that I have relearned recently.  This is our life to live.

I am going to put that in the transcript because I think that is an important lesson.  It is actually something I’ve struggled with over the past couple years.  If we were to ever launch a Dane’s Body Shop podcast series, I think we could devote an entire episode to learning how to cultivate that mindset.

It isn’t easy and I don’t have it perfected, but I talk about it more and more lately because I see people holding themselves back because of what they should or shouldn’t be doing. If there is something you want to do, choose it and just go for it.

One final thing I wanted to bring up with you, and I guess we just officially met in class this morning, but I observed you during the Field Day Meet and you were incredibly diligent in thanking people for volunteering.  This and other things people have said about you have made me think “that guy’s mom raised him right”.  Did your mom raise you right?

Yes!  I have amazing parents.  My routine is I hit the gym then go home and take a shower and call my mom when I’m on my way to the office.  She’s just incredibly supportive and loving and wise.

One final thing I wanted to say is that I love being able to share my knowledge with people, so if there is anyone in The Shop community who wanted to learn more about investing and real estate or passive income, I would love to be able to share my knowledge.

For a reasonable hourly fee right?

No man, for nothing- I love what I do.  This is a community I want to leave a positive impact on.

Well, I will probably take you up on that then!  Thanks Ben!