This is the fourth member Q and A in a series entitled "
Communicators Outside the Lines: Better Yourself, Better Your Community" that the CoSIDA Goodwill & Wellness Committee will be producing leading up to our #CoSIDA16 convention in June
.
First profile: Bryan Marshall, Millikin
Second Profile: Kim Ling, Ole Miss
Third Profile: Rick Baker, Mars Hill University
HAVE IDEAS OR MEMBERS TO NOMINATE FOR THIS SERIES?
If you have any ideas for this series, which will revolve around CoSIDA member volunteerism and health and wellness, please contact Goodwill and Wellness Committee chair
Chris Mitchell, Washington University in St. Louis Assistant AD for Communications, via cell (618-560-9280) or email (
mitchell@wustl.edu).
REMINDER: SEND IN YOUR VOLUNTEER 15 COMMUNITY SERVICE FORMS
All CoSIDA members are encourged to participate in our
Volunteer 15 program, where we recognize those members who have completed 15 or more hours of community service during the academic year. We will acknowledge Volunteer 15 participants in the spring with certificates, CoSIDA.com mention and acknowledgment at the 2016 CoSIDA June convention in Dallas.
VOLUNTEER 15 FORM (PDF)
Q&A with Sam Atkinson
Gallaudet Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
by Megan Hardin, Southwestern University Sports Information Director
CoSIDA Goodwill and Wellness Committee
Sam Atkinson is well known throughout the CoSIDA world for his involvement in nearly every aspect of our professional organization. As the Assistant Athletic Director for Communications at Gallaudet University, Atkinson oversees the media and public relation duties for all 14 varsity sports in addition to game management and operations. The former Goodwill and Wellness Committee chair, Atkinson is serving his first year of three on the CoSIDA Board of Directors and was awarded the 2014 CoSIDA Bob Kenworthy Community Service Award for the college division. What you may not know about Sam, but should, is how he has been able to incorporate exercising and prioritizing his health into his busy work schedule and demanding family life with his wife Emily and two young daughters.
Q: Why did you decide to make exercising a priority?
Atkinson: As many of us know about working in our profession it is not friendly to eating healthy and taking care of yourself with the long hours and constant weekend work. Two years ago, I had hit a wall and didn’t like the way I had lost so much control of myself. I had spent so much time caring for my school and my family I totally forgot to take care of myself. I was so out of shape and overweight that something needed to change. That’s when I started to run, not away from my issues, but towards a new me.
Q: How did you decide on running and the challenge?
Atkinson: Let me first say that I had never been a fan of running. I tried running from time-to-time but I never had “fun” with it and quickly stopped doing it all together. Once I decided to make my health a priority I needed an exercise to latch onto. Living in an active community and being close to parks and many sidewalks plus my workplace that has a track it seemed like a natural choice. I knew if I didn’t fully commit to running I would fail like my previous lame attempts.
I had found a local running store (Charm City Run) that offered training groups and they also operated several running events during the year. I decided to sign-up for the Sole of the City 10K race and it’s training group that trained twice a week for two months leading up to the race. Once I committed to a running group it made me more accountable to turn up and get my miles in. It was the best decision I ever made. Once I completed my first official race I felt really proud of myself and proud of my training group runners. The best feeling was crossing the finish line and seeing my two daughters clapping for me.
Q: With 14 sports under your umbrella and young children, how have you been able to fit exercising into your very busy schedule?
Atkinson: It hasn’t been easy and I can still do a better job of carving out more “me” time to get away for a run or some exercise but I have some tips. When my kids were younger I would push them in a jogging stroller when I was running. I incorporated my kids into my exercise. We have a three-mile loop of paths that we run but along the way we would stop at some playgrounds and swing and slide for 15 minutes and then run on to the next playground while they ate a snack.
I also worked an agreement out with my Athletic Director to give me Mondays off since we (SIDs) don’t have a typical weekend. But knowing I have a “day off” every Monday is a plus for my mental and physical health. I also incorporate a 12-hour rule where if I work a late night and don’t leave the office until 11 p.m. or midnight, I try to not come back to the office for at least 12 hours. For example, how many University staffers leave at 5 p.m. and are back at their desks 12 hours later at 5 a.m.? Again, we need to try and take care of ourselves.
Q: What advice do you have for someone wanting to get started but are unsure how?
Atkinson: Find the exercise that works for you. Running is not for everyone but find something that you enjoy and you like to do. Once you find that exercise you need to commit to it. For many of us time is an issue, so start out by scheduling your exercise into your work calendar. That way it helps remind you to go work out and it let’s others know that you are busy at this time. Work will always be there. We know that. If you don’t take the time to work out and take care of yourself no one is going to come into your office and tell you to do so.
If you are interested in running and have never run before start out with walking and light jogging. It’s funny to think that I could barely run a quarter of a mile when I first started this journey. Last fall I completed my first half-marathon.
You can do this.
My other suggestion for running is to join a running group or at least sign-up for a local 5K, or how about the
CoSIDA 5K Fun Run/Walk at the 2016 CoSIDA Convention? Once you commit to a race you have a goal to aim towards. It will definitely motivate you and help you stay committed towards reaching that race.
Equipment and having a proper pair of shoes and athletic attire is also very important. I started running in a pair of worn down cross-training shoes, with no tread, and my feet would hurt after a mile run. I realized I needed to invest in a good pair of running shoes and they have made a big difference. I am already on my third pair of running shoes!
Q: What was the biggest roadblock you had to overcome along the way and how have you conquered it?
Atkinson: The obvious answer is time. Trying to carve out time in my schedule to complete my work responsibilities while also being there for my family makes the “me” time limited. I have continued to sign-up for different running training groups that meet on Wednesday night and Saturday morning and that has helped to make sure I get two runs in during the week. I have also continued to sign-up for races with varying distances (5k to 10K to half-marathon).
Q: What is next for you and what would be your challenge to the CoSIDA community?
Atkinson: As mentioned above I completed my first half-marathon (in Baltimore) this past fall and was thrilled to do so but was not satisfied with my performance and know I could do better. While I have been running more consistently the past two years I have continued to ride the weight rollercoaster. This past January, my wife and I joined Weight Watchers and being in that program has made a big difference in my weight. I have dropped 20 pounds since I joined and I am tracking everything that I am eating now. I have been able to reduce portion sizes, eliminate sugary drinks and limit the treats while also not completely sacrificing some foods I really enjoy.
It has been a good lifestyle change coupled with running I am a lot happier with myself compared to “Old School Sam” several years ago. You too can make a lifestyle change. Find a new you! What are you doing to better yourself? Start today!