Darien Estes (Sep 2012)
AGE: 30
PROFESSION: Higher Education Publishing Sales
HOMETOWN: Oklahoma City, OK
COLLEGE: University of Oklahoma
FAVORITE FOOD: Unfortunately almost everything edible.
FAVORITE PLACE VISITED: Hawaii and Bermuda.
PLACE YOU WANT TO VISIT: Thailand, New Zealand, & South Africa.
FAVORITE MOVIE: Big Lebowski, Goonies, Fear and Loathing Las Vegas.
FAVORITE SINGER: Bob Marley, Jim Morrison.
HOBBIES: Poker, concerts, and watching Sports.
BACKGROUND: I played sports and was pretty active my whole life till after college… Fast forward 4-5 years later, and I realized that person was long gone. I knew I needed to make a change ASAP, but couldn’ t push myself the way I used to on my own. I had some friends doing Sonki and they all loved it, but I just didn’t feel like I was someone who needed a boot camp. After seeing the all the great results they were getting, I knew I needed to make a change. (My plan was not working too well). Since joining Sonki I have become a lot more accountable in my lifestyle choices. I have been able to get my sit ups and push ups to the level I want. I now need to work on that dreaded mile. When I show up for class and push myself, I make great improvements and get the results I want. That being said, if I slack off and miss classes…I get the opposite.
What is your current exercise routine? I currently do Sonki Fitness three days a week with an occassional Saturday class or basketball.
What is your motivation to stay in shape? I guess it is safe to say I like to eat a lot and “socialize”, so I am always one weekend away from being extremely overweight. At the same time I am vain, so I like to try to make an effort from keeping that from happening. Also I realize that time is starting to fly, so I would like to slowly rid my bad habits and replace them with better habits. Also I want to beat Brett at EVERYTHING!
What is your greatest challenge to staying in shape? I travel a lot and my outside habits are not the best. I have also had the saying,”I workout, so I can eat more.” I am in the process of changing that. It can be hard for me to get into a solid routine.
What is your key to success? Just show up. If I miss my normal AM Sonki Fitness class, I try to make it up in the evening. The guilty feeling of missing a class also helps me to show up.
What do you like about Sonki Fitness Boot Camp and how has it affected your life? The people are great and very supportive. Sonki is also very supportive and will give you the push that YOU need to get better. The 6:30am group is very competitive and a great environment to help yourself give that extra effort. Since joining Sonki Fitness, I have been more accountable and consistent in maintaining my fitness level. Also, it is fun to work out with your friends and has made us Oklahomans a lot healthier. It gets the hard part of your day out of the way early and can enjoy the rest of your day not worrying about when you will work out. I also got to go on the Hawaii trip and got to know some really great people!!! And embarrass myself a few times. Arm wrestling in bars is not cool…
What advice would you give to others about fitness? Just be sure to show up as much as you can. There are many days you do not want to get up early, but when you just show up and finish the class, you are happy you did it. Don’t worry too much about immediate results and focus on the life change you are trying to obtain.