AGE:  I had a “Six Million Dollar Man” lunchbox

PROFESSION:  Screenwriter/Producer (“Cheaper by the Dozen,” “Scooby Doo,” & the upcoming “Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief”)

HOMETOWN:  Mattoon, Illinois

COLLEGE:  Eastern Illinois University, University of Southern California, Pacifica Graduate Institute

FAVORITE FOOD:  The ones I don’t eat anymore!

FAVORITE PLACE VISITED:  A Holy Shrine known as the Grand Havana Room in Beverly Hills.  It’s my Man Cave, the place where I go to contemplate all of life’s mysteries (which, by the way, are easily deciphered with a martini, a glass of red wine, and a nice cigar).   BTW, I only smoke cigars at GHR and never more than 2-3 per week.  Ditto for martinis and wine.  Nuff said.  Moving on…

PLACE YOU WANT TO VISIT:  My past, just so I can make a few minor tweaks.

FAVORITE MOVIE:  Too many contenders.  My favorite movie of 2008 was Gran Torino.  One can never go wrong with Eastwood.

FAVORITE SINGER:  Bono before the chain-smoking, drinking or whatever he was doing that hoarsed out his pipes a bit.

HOBBIES:  Reading, geeking out on all things pop culture, working out, iTunes, politics.

BACKGROUND:  Since December I’ve lost close to 30lbs.  I prefer not to think of it as losing weight but more of a return to form after a rather lengthy time of being lost in the wilderness.  I had always been a runner — track, cross country, 5Ks, 10ks — but it faded away about 5 years ago…and then there’s that whole aging thing…and writing deadlines that are fueled by fast food and pizza.  Next thing you know, I’m looking at pictures from Sonki Fitness Holiday Party last December and saying, “Hey!  I didn’t know Michael Moore was there!”  Then I realized — Holy Bowl Full of Jelly, Santaman! — that was me!  I decided then and there that it was “Eye of the Tiger” time.  I got focused, dropped my caloric intake to 1800 calories a day, started working out like a machine, turned it up a couple notches at Sonki Fitness, and now I’m quickly approaching being in the second best shape of my life! (the first being when I was 19, like I can ever get there again).

What is your current exercise routine?  Sonki Fitness 3x a week; additional cardio and/or weight training 3x a week, supplemented with lots of runs and hikes and no fewer than 100 push-ups a day.

What is your motivation to stay in shape?  Oh, just that I want to live forever, and I have to make it long enough for the science to evolve so that it’s possible.  Seriously though, there’s a lot I still want to do in life so I’m going to need at least 120 years.  It helps to have the 24/7 energy and focus that staying in shape gives you.

What is your greatest challenge to staying in shape?  Writing deadlines.  When I get in the writing zone or I’m crunching toward a deadline, my old pattern was to write around the clock, skipping workouts, and fueling myself with fast food and junk.  I’ve been working on that, trying to have a saner, healthier approach.  So far so good.  Hopefully the switch has flipped permanently and the old bad habits are gone forever.

What is your key to success?  I was reading a book on the way to the Hawaii Fitness Vacation called ULTRAMARATHON MAN. It was written by that crazy dude who runs 200 mile races, ran 50 marathons in 50 consecutive days, etc. and he said something that my old high school track coach once said:  “You don’t run with your legs, you run with your heart.”  I believe that applies to everything in life.  In the end success in any endeavor comes down to will and heart; and when it comes to working out, I’ve finally got my heart back in the game.

What do you like about Sonki Fitness Boot Camp and how has it affected your life?  The single best part about Sonki Fitness, besides the whole design of the program, is the camaraderie that builds with others over time and sessions.  It’s a camaraderie built on mutual support and pushing each other in a friendly, albeit slightly competitive, way to dig a little deeper each and every day.  Sonki Fitness has become a huge part of my life, bringing new friends and adventures on a weekly basis.  I feel like I’m back in high school and this is my team and band-o-brothers (and sisters).

What advice would you give to others about fitness?  Fitness really is the key to overcoming most of life’s problems.  Besides the health benefits, since getting back in shape I’ve had more energy, more clarity about all aspects of my life, more focus, and I’ve generally been happier and more balanced.

Any other comments?  I’d just like to thank Sonki and Katie for being such great motivators and continually pushing me to be stronger, faster and leaner for life.  With
their support I feel like I’ll someday be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound…or at least “duck walk” around them.