Fitness for Business Leaders: Randy O’Neil
Randy was reared in a strong Catholic home. He has always lived a lifestyle of fitness and enjoyed participating in sports: hiking, walking, skiiing, biking, etc. While in high school he played soccer and at one point worked at the soccer camp for William & Mary College. Being involved in athletics helps make one stronger at an earlier age, he says.
All was going well with Randy until a tragic work-site accident eight years ago. He was preparing to nail up a roof truss when it slipped, and he fell 20-feet onto his head.
“I lost everything but consciousness,” he says.
Working in a remote location, the ambulance took 45 minutes to reach him. Randy had broken his neck which included the C4, C5, C6 vertebrae. This important section controls lungs, arms, legs, etc. The only feeling he had was in his right toe. Doctors predicted a one-year hospital stay, but miraculously, Randy was out in two months. Randy says he went from 189 lbs of muscle to 120 lbs of sickness, but “I just kept fighting.” Randy says beginning to work his muscles was tough, but he pushed through the pain, and after the pain, he felt muscle building.
Since his horrific accident Randy says he’s learned to truly value his health and the desire to stay active is strong. But he also says that his new lease on life has given him a new mission in life – and that is to take the message of good health to families and children.
“Now my goal in life is to help America’s youth take care of their bodies so they can stay here as long as possible,” he says. Having been a disabled person Randy says he knows the value of fitness, and after much research came up with the idea of a mobile gym. He’s invested time and money in outfitting a state-of-the-art 50-ft trailer with stationary bikes. With audio and video he provides entertainment, education, training, and programming. This completes a comprehensive fitness experience. Children K to 12 have exercised in the trailer at schools, hospitals, or on city streets.
Randy takes his fitness trailer to communities to help kids get in shape and stay in shape. He’s volunteered to help families in various places, including with a program at the Medical College of Virginia. Randy would classify himself as a “Fitness Cheerleader” who wants to motivate others to better health.
NEW REWARDS
Regarding his new mission, Randy wants to teach U.S. families to change the way they approach health and fitness. Scientific data indicates that excess weight or obesity, contributes to a host of diseases. Many of the nation’s children are afflicted with life-threatening diseases such as diabetes. Parents can reward their children with a healthy activity instead of with food all the time. He says families should pray together, eat together, and then go for a walk together. Keep it simple. It’s calories in, calories out. After a good holiday meal, walk it off. We should aim for sustenance with fitness as well.
