Each week we are featuring an exceptional client that exudes Living the Life they Envision. This week we feature Eugene Oddone, AKA (Iron Man- as referred to by his trainer Amanda Fontaine).
Profession: He’s a general internist. He takes care of patients and teaches Duke residents and students at the Durham VA, and has for the last 30 years. He also does research, mostly focused on different strategies to help patients take better care of themselves. Recently, they’ve been testing health coaching interventions to activate patients to enroll in prevention programs.
Favorite exercises: He LOVE’s the white board (slideboard). Amanda makes these really inventive circuits that include sliding, push ups, planks, and hamstring exercises. One of them reminds him of Mr. Miyagi from Karate Kid…”Wax On, Wax Off”.
He’s been part of the Empower Community for 9 years.
Fun: Cooking is his #1. He likes thinking about different flavors, and most importantly, colors that make dishes interesting. And with cooking, comes eating, and so then, running has to cancel all that out. Running is his meditation.
His words: “Empower has given me so much. When I first came to Empower in my late 40’s I had basically stopped running because of knee issues. Physical therapy wasn’t working and an orthopedist suggested a surgery that I didn’t want. Slowly Michael helped me build core strength and he turned me on to trail running. Within about 3 months I was running again, and running enough to get that high. For the last three years, Amanda has helped me build on that strength to the degree that I can run distances I never dreamed of when I was younger. I haven’t had knee pain for 9 years. Empower has also brought fun to my work-outs. We throw balls, balance on squishy things, pull ropes, push sleds, try to break things with sledge hammers, it’s really crazy fun. Lastly, Empower has given me inspiration.”
-Gene Oddone
Trainer’s comment: Gene is by far one of my toughest clients mentally and physically, and he inspires me in life. He and his wife Grace are two of the greatest people I know. He is an amazing Doctor, father, wife, friend, client and serves the community in many ways. I look up to him and I have him to thank for getting me into running and training the right way. Oh and did I mention he ran 100 mile race earlier this year.
