As a college student, Dail Blake earned a bachelor's degree in physical education and exercise physiology and then wrote his MBA thesis on the benefits of corporate fitness and wellness.
A self-described “fitness fanatic,” the Senior Vice President and Investment Advisor, said, “Ever since then, I’ve bugged every company I’ve worked for to do something in this space.”
He’s happy Country Club Bank sponsors so many local charity runs. And, at one point, he was CCB’s Vitality advocate for an incentivized wellness program offered through Humana, the bank’s health insurance provider at the time.
“I had a huge case of aluminum water bottles and Hospital Hill Run socks,” he said. When I would find out an associate would achieve a certain level in the program, I would go out to the branch and kind of pull everybody together, and say, ‘Hey, So and So got to this level, and here's her pair of socks and water bottle.’ It was the idea of being recognized in front of your peers for reaching a wellness goal.”
Dail has four fitness tips for CCB associates who want to stay in shape during the busy upcoming holidays:
Don’t wait for the holidays to get started. “Get active now,” he said. “Join a club now if you’re interested in joining a club. After the holidays, those places are packed with everyone who made a New Year's resolution. But if you go now, you’ll already be in a routine during and after the holidays. Plus, you’ll get to know the equipment without feeling as overwhelmed. And if gyms and clubs aren’t your thing, consider starting a walking or running routine."
If you decide to join a club, try out several. They are not all the same, Dail said, and finding one where you feel comfortable and welcome is critical to whether you will stick with your program. He said most clubs offer a free trial membership for a certain number of days, so you can spend some time visiting a few before you must sign up as a member.
Consider purchasing equipment for home use. If you prefer exercising at your home, fitness equipment is available. Dail suggests trying out different pieces of equipment at a club first before you make the investment in it.
Visit a local running specialty store. Dail encourages people who are starting a new running or walking program to visit a local running specialty store and have someone there watch how you walk or run. “You'll be able to work with someone who's trained in doing these things,” he said, “and they'll fit you with a shoe that works best for you, so you don’t suffer an injury because you're not wearing the right shoe.”
Dail said his running journey started in 1999 on the day his wife was diagnosed with cancer, and it was an activity that provided him mental clarity during that period.
Because of his own situation, Dail recognizes the importance of mental health support and is active with various veterans programs, including The Battle Within’s PTSD recovery program. He is the volunteer president of the organization.
“Running is more than just keeping your body fit,” Dail said. “It also has an impact on your mental health. The holidays are so stressful. A running or walking program combined with meditation and deep breathing can help you navigate them and enjoy them even more.”
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