Every month, we feature members of the Inspired Wellness community. Get to know more about Derek Pate!
What’s your favorite wellness quote?
“The Difference Between Ordeal and Adventure is Attitude.”
I like this quote, not sure who said it, because it reminds me to recheck my mental outlook, realize that struggle is temporary, and great things can happen when we least expect them.
What are some of your favorite exercises?
I never really did dedicated exercise before joining IW, so many of the exercises were new to me. I really like the full-body workouts from Burpees and KB Swings and like how plank-type moves polish my form and focus. The Fire Hydrant move is just hilarious to me, and I’m really good at it!
What motivates you to stay healthy?
This might be shallow, but my motivation comes from seeing older people in poor health who have realized their limitations and lack of desire to improve. I don’t want to be that when I grow up so instead have tried to create and maintain healthy habits.
What do you do to stay balanced in your daily life (hobbies)?
My way to maintain balance is to not focus on one thing all the time. I am pretty intense at work during the week, but the weekends are anything but lazy. I am a scoutmaster for a group of high school students, which gets me outdoors pretty often. Otherwise, I grab my bike, paddleboard, or climbing gear and take off for a few hours – and my handyman side gig and hanging out with friends fills in the gaps.
If this food/meal were the last available on Earth and you were the lucky recipient, what would it be?
If I were the last one to enjoy a particular meal, I think I would feel guilt, not enjoyment, but I’m a sucker for cheap Americanized Chinese food. And given the choice, I would go for a good hearty bowl of chili and jalapeno-corn bread.
What are three of your upcoming goals NOW, in one year and in five years?
In 2018, my goal was to do something active every weekend in the summer. What an amazing summer I had, meeting lots of great people, and filling my phone with memories. In 2019, I expanded the goal to be active in some way every weekend. This led me to hiking mountains, camping every month, snowshoeing, skiing, -you name it. Anything which gets me away from my desk with a slight risk of dehydration and I’m happy. Looking forward, I’ll be refining my healthy upgrades to become faster, stronger, fitter. And one day I hope to go on a date.
What are some songs currently on your playlist?
There’s music flowing through my house constantly, of all sorts of genres, but lately, I’ve been enjoying Sola Rosa and Maggie Rogers.
What do you do for fun locally?
I really like how Sacramento always has some sort of pop-up community event going on such as monthly food trucks, music, or a marketplace. I also frequent the river and local wineries when I’m not at the studio.
Describe yourself in 3 words:
Hungry; Dependable; Poor Dancer
How has Inspired Wellness impacted your life?
When I first started going to the studio, I wasn’t sure I really needed it. I generally felt healthy and in good shape, after all, I rode my bike every day. IW did a great job to humble me. After my first workout, everything was sore and I felt like an old man. I quickly realized that I’ve got some work to do. My fitness goals are a little different than others – gain weight – and to do that, the recipe is the same as for everyone else: exercise often, eat healthy, and appreciate the progress you’ve made along the way. In the seven months since joining, I have replaced body fat with muscle, greatly improved my stamina, endurance, sleep quality and even noticed I ride my bike and paddle my board faster. The trainers do a great job to keep the energy high, and everyone motivated and smiling. Thanks, Inspired Wellness!
One Comment
Derek is so inspirational, reading about his journey and what motivates him is so refreshing and has also motivated me to get more healthy in my daily life