We need more good leaders. If your intentions are good, be a leader, we need you, even if you only put one person under your wing, people are crying out quietly for help. Help them.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Health educator, former boxer and author of the book “No More Bad Days” Danny Boronico.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
Thank you for having me. Health and fitness have always been a big part of my life. My uncle was a professional boxer and I always looked up to him and admired his courage.
From the time I was 13 years of age, I joined the Queens Gym boxing school in New York. For years I dedicated my life to boxing training. This path of fitness eventually led to a degree in Health Education and after having managed several health clubs, I eventually had my own 3 story health club in New York City.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company?
I find that every individual has their own unique story and I love hearing them. I am constantly amazed by the many trials and tribulation stories that I hear.
We recently signed a new member. I asked, “do you have any medical issues I should know about?”
She said her back and neck was kind of stiff. I asked, “do you know what caused it?” She replied, “an elderly lady was about to get run over by a vehicle, so I threw my body on top her, the woman was in her 90’s she did not get injured, but I was left with back and neck injuries.” Amazing!
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
We are a female fitness facility. New members receive a T shirt with our name and logo on the front. On the back is our mantra, “I am a woman I am a warrior.” Our electrician asked me if he could have a T shirt, I said sure and I gave him one. I forgot what it said on the back and he didn’t notice. He went out one night wearing the black and gold T shirt. He didn’t understand why so many people said to him, you do not look like a woman. Eventually, he figured it out and called me the next day to commend me on my sense of humor. I need to be a little more careful on who wears the shirts now.
Can you describe how your organization is making a significant social impact?
We are the only fitness facility that I know of that addresses mental health. There are two aspects to fitness physical and mental. Forty percent of our nation is suffering from mental disorders, stress, anxiety, and depression. The health clubs are ignoring the mental health aspect of fitness.
Wow! Can you tell me a story about a particular individual who was impacted this cause?
I encourage people to live in the now. Humans, unlike other animal species have the capability to dwell on the past and worry about the future. When I first met Lisa DeRespino, she worried too much about life’s daily problems. She now refers to problems as situations that are to be dealt with. Lisa no longer worries about things she can not control and manages to enjoy her life.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
It starts by an understanding of where we went wrong. We were born to be happy, just look at any child, all they want to do is play and have fun.
So, what happened why are so many of our children suffering?
We must come together politically, socially as a community, school, place of worship and address these very crucial problems that are debilitating our nation such as:
- Reduce expectations. Encourage people to live and enjoy life!
- Better education when it comes to drugs. It is no longer enough to “just say no to drugs.”
- Keep a watchful eye on our children. They are suffering more than we know.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
A leader gets people to follow them. There are good leaders and bad leaders.
We need more good leaders. If your intentions are good, be a leader, we need you, even if you only put one person under your wing, people are crying out quietly for help. Help them.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
I have no lack of experience in business because I am 59 years old. I have been self employed since my early twenty’s. I had many businesses in my life but my first was a limousine company that I acquired from Billy Joel when I was in my mid-twenties. I later went on to have a very successful career in the health club industry. I owned and operated a 3 story wellness center in NYC which was attached to a sports rehabilitation center that I founded.
When I moved to South Florida, I was the CEO of Boca Tanning Club, a national franchise that I founded.
You never stop learning, but I can honestly say that there is not anything I wish someone would have told me prior to this new venture.
My business philosophies are as follows:
- Treat people the way you would like to be treated
- Be a leader not a follower
- Use your four walls to create the best experience you possibly can
- Price things fairly
- Cherish your customers and never take them for granted
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I recently wrote a book called, “No More Bad Days” ; “Defeating the Imaginary Bullies in Your Mind”. It’s a self-help book that teaches people how to cope with mental ailments. My movement would be, “No More Bad Days.”
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“Do what you enjoy doing and you will never go to work.” I only work at things that I am passionate about. I like helping people and when I do, it in turn helps me.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
Find out for me who can make changes to our education system. I do not know if that person even exists, but if they do, that is the person I want to meet.
How can our readers follow you on social media?
The best way is to read my blog on WWW.AthenasFightClub.com You can also download my audiobook on the site.