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!
