Spotlight on Wellness: Steve Birds
Position with company: Senior Account Manager in Seattle, Wash.
Age: 31
Favorite exercise: Anything to help get me in shape for triathlons, and mountain climbing!
Steve's challenge
I grew up playing soccer, and I played throughout my college years. But as soon as I graduated, I stopped and jumped right into my career. I joined Enterprise as a Management Trainee in 1999. At first, I didn’t give much thought to making time for life before or after work. Thankfully, one of my co-workers encouraged me to establish a better work-life balance. I needed someone to move me in that direction, because working was all I knew.
The turning point
My wife was very involved with triathlon races, and they didn’t appeal to me at all. But soon after we got married, I realized I would never see her unless I joined in the activity, too. As I got into it, I began to see improvements in my health, my energy level and my motivation. What had been a chore soon became a fun family activity.
The first run
I still remember my first 5K fun run like it was yesterday. Two miles into the race, I had to slow down and walk because I thought I was going to pass out. Once I gained my composure, my wife and I began laughing hysterically because I thought the “fun run” was so hard. But yes, I finished the race.
His routine today
Shortly after hearing the alarm clock sound at 5 a.m., I roll out of bed, lace up my running shoes and take a look outside to check the weather. If the rain holds off, I hit the pavement for a 5-mile jog with my wife, Kim, and our dog, Kona.
Getting motivated
Stepping up to the starting line is the second most important part of running marathons. The first is getting up enough courage, spirit and motivation, because you really have to prepare your mind and body for it. Once you conquer that motivation, everything else falls into place and running becomes fun. I no longer run for the weight loss, but solely because I enjoy the lifestyle. The sense of achievement drives me to accomplish more. I have more energy now, I feel healthier and I sleep better. Plus, I look forward to waking up each morning to do it all over again.
Keeping exercise interesting
I constantly seek out new adventures. I’ve completed one marathon, seven half-marathons, numerous 5K and 10K charity runs, seven adventure races, one Ironman triathlon race, four half-Ironman races, and I’m still setting new goals for myself.
Spreading the wealth
Enterprise puts such a large focus on mentoring at work, so when a local group asked me to help mentor beginning tri-athletes, it seemed like the natural thing to do. Helping people achieve success after struggling to start makes the experience worthwhile. I remember the rough times I went through when training for some of my first marathons and triathlons. It wasn’t easy, but now I’m experiencing the benefits of being healthy, and I love it!
Motivational secrets
- Getting started. Start a fitness program, and you’ll begin to see the benefits. Weight loss, better health, increased happiness, higher self-esteem and having more energy are just a few that will keep you going.
- Listen to your body. It's a machine. It will respond to what you put into it and how you train it to perform.
- Become a better person. I think living an active lifestyle has helped to shape me into an all-around better person. I believe that if you create happiness outside of work it will cross over into other areas of your life and improve them as well.
- Success stems off of other success. Set goals. Focus on them. Accomplish them. This formula tends to repeat itself.
