In his book, “The Business of Happiness,” former AOL Chairman and current Washington Wizards/Capitals owner Ted Leonsis referenced the impact his collegiate experience at Georgetown had on his early professional career. In his first position out of college at Wang Labs, Leonsis found that many of the engineers were talented, but a good number were unable to articulate the benefits and features of the software they designed to the outside world. It was the Jesuit University’s interdisciplinary curriculum that helped Leonsis to effectively communicate. Thus he married his interest in computer science with his love of English in such a way that he successfully published the first catalog dedicated to computer software. It’s this same interdisciplinary approach that gave rise to the Uptick Wellness model.
The Uptick Rule states that a stock cannot be shorted or sold below its value unless the last trade was higher than the previous lower trade. Uptick is the positive movement in the price of a stock. The word resonated with me and is symbolic of my tenure at Salomon Smith Barney. Prior to my departure and desired shift into commercial real estate a sports psychologist by the name of Dr. Kevin Elko was invited to deliver a motivational address to a group of brokers in the office. Dr. Elko has worked with the likes of the Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers in the NFL in addition to Alabama Head Football Coach Nick Saban and a host of corporations. This was the first instance I observed the juxtaposition of psychology used in a sport and business setting and proved to be a seminal moment in the long path towards the founding of our corporate wellness consultancy.
To finance my transition into commercial real estate, I decided to become certified as a personal trainer part time and leverage my passion for fitness and past experience as a high school football athlete/ college recruit. I learned the fundamentals of the trade and became proficient in biomechanics, anatomy and sport science. Although my education background is in Economics, my love of the fitness industry grew and success followed. Despite this I noticed inefficiencies in the health club model as well as my own limitations to address often what I regard as barriers that inhibit individual success. Thus, I began to research Sport Psychology leaders and found Dr. John F. Murray. I was immediately drawn to his Mental Equipment archive as well as his background in tennis, a game in which I love dearly. The techniques proved beneficial and became a staple in my service offering. My efforts began to pay dividends having been awarded personal trainer of the year in 2003 at Gold’s Gym Van Ness.
Now while I had made significant strides in my fitness career, I began to look at my own growth prospects. I also explored the macro issues associated with unhealthy lifestyles and their effects on the U.S. economy. I specifically researched the percentage of the U.S. GDP that was attributable to rising health care claims and their impact on corporate bottom lines. It was at this point that I had realized the value I could bring to the wider debate and decided to venture on my own as a private trainer. Sport Psychology was the first cornerstone laid in our model.
How did Organization Development and the application of B2B best practices propel us forward? Find out more in our next post!