Drew Slone is featured in the D Magazine series “Fit to Lead: Dallas Leaders Share Fitness Habits for High Performance.”
Habits: “Activity and eating well are simply non-negotiables for me. I set my alarm early—4 a.m.—and make time four to five days a week to lift weights and do cardio in the pursuit of my current competitive athletic passion, national and world level strongwoman competitions. I was also an early adopter (2011) of the standing desk and have had a desk treadmill for years. Even when I’m working, I’m still getting in as much physical activity as I can. Last year I even logged a 10 million-step year, which equates to over 27,000 steps a day.
“Spending years as a CrossFitter led to several years coaching CrossFit which was probably the most impactful thing I’ve done in the health space to help me lead. I learned so much about commanding a room and the best ways to explain something complex (ever taught a grown adult to walk on their hands? I have.) and motivate people. I’ve used those skills in everything from training associates to giving presentations.”
Recovery: “I try my best not to have to reset. Whether that’s getting in shorter versions of my workouts before I fly out or finding gyms across the planet to drop in and grab a workout (ask me about my favorite hotel gyms everywhere from Las Vegas to Uganda), I try very hard to maintain consistency in my routine. If I do need to reset, I like to pick a new workout program that forces me to start from scratch so I don’t overdo it in my first weeks back.”
Tools: “ I am probably the least trendy person you know, so you’ll never catch me in a cold plunge (I was and still am a skeptic on that) and I’m a luddite when it comes to technology. I do, however, swear by a step counter and my dry sauna followed by a quick dip in the pool. I think we have overcomplicated the health space and are forever moving the bar toward the hot new thing, when the basics—move well, eat well—can make the most impact on the majority of the population. ”
Lessons: “I have stopped pursuing perfection in my workouts. There are times when you need to accept that the plan was only a plan, and you need to get to the gym, hit the ‘big ticket’ items, and get out. ”
The Long View: “Newton’s first law of motion—a body in motion stays in motion—seems appropriate here. Maintaining an active lifestyle now sets the foundation for a vibrant, physically active retirement. And statistically speaking, lifting weights is mission critical for all women, but even more so for women 40 and above. I like to think every day I deadlift, squat, or run down my driveway with a sandbag that weighs as much as I do is one more day I’ve delayed a stay in the nursing home.”
LINKS
Read “Fit to Lead: Dallas Leaders Share Fitness Habits for High Performance.”