I recently caught up with Billy at H.E.R.O. Fitness ...which is a hard thing to do, he's busier than the Pope these days. I got a chance to ask him how a busy entrepreneur with such a hectic schedule has time to sleep, let alone workout and maintain a balance of health and fitness in his life. Running 3 successful restaurants, Rockit Chicago, Rockit Wrigley and Sunda and a night club, Underground Chicago, that's packed every night has got to take a toll on the body so I wanted to know how he does it.
Me: Do you have a standard routine by which you make sure to get exercise in everyday, i.e. - always first thing in the morning, always in afternoon, evening, etc.?
Billy: I usually try and get at least 3 days of workouts in a week. I need to get at least 3 days a week in or I don't like how I feel. My schedule is constantly changing so I fit it in whenever I can. I have a few trainers I call on a last minute notice and can fit in workouts with them. I also stretch every night before bed to help me relax and decompress.
Me: Do you like one type of exercise more than another?
Billy: I'm always mixing it up, I never do the same workout. I started out doing martial arts as a kid so I mix that in every once in awhile and I love going to fitness classes and yoga classes. I'm never doing the same workout. I'll go for runs sometimes in the spring and summer outside, especially along the lakefront here. When I'm on the road, I run quite a bit so I can take in the scenes and the city that I'm in.
Me: With the increasing demand to be available
all the time through social media, have you found it harder or easier
to get your workouts in?Billy: Easier, much easier. My job and
most of what I do is about communication. Weather it's communicating
with my business partners my staff or my customers. I can get numerous
things done at once now where I used to only be able to do one thing at
a time. I can answer emails, shoot text messages, twitter in-between
sets of my workout, during a stretching break, or whenever I have a
split second to take care of it. It definitely gives me the ability to
do more with less time.Me: Do you use any type of fitness app to help you work out?
Billy:
Nothing against them but that's really not for me. I like the immediate
and constant feedback I get from working with a trainer or an
instructor. They adjust the workout to meet my own specific needs and
that means I'm getting the most out of the workout, plus they push me
harder than I could push myself.Me: When you are on the
road where do you typically work out, i.e. - in your hotel fitness
center, seek out a local gym, or just go for a run outside?Billy:
It depends, if it's nice out I'll go explore the city by taking a jog
outside. If the hotel has a nice workout facility I might go check it
out. I'm not usually out of town for more than a few days at a time so
sometimes I might not even get it in but I'll make up for it when I get
home by going hard for a few days.Me: Do you count calories or allow yourself a certain number of drinks/food choices on a daily basis.
Billy:
I don't count calories, it's almost impossible for me to count calories
because I'm trying food all the time. I do a lot of research for my
restaurants by going out and trying a lot of different food. I just
know that some days will be good and some will be bad. When I am trying
food and I know I'm going to be eating a lot of stuff that's not that
good for me I just make sure I share it with people and make sure
everyone I'm with tries it so I don't eat it all! When I'm not trying
food for my job I'm a really healthy eater, I keep it really clean most
of the time with lots of chicken and fish.Me: What is your alcoholic drink of choice?
Billy: Grey Goose and Soda. It's really clean, crisp vodka that doesn't give me a hangover.
Me: If you were to pick your worst food vice, what would it be?
Billy:
Ribs, I love ribs, I can't get enough of them. I had some awesome ribs
in New Orleans a few weeks back at this mom and pop little restaurant,
they were some of the best things I've ever eaten.Me: How are
you able to exhibit portion control and moderation when you are
constantly eating out in restaurants and in bars? Do you have any tips
you can share that help you exhibit moderation?Billy: I don't really, I just bring a lot of friends with me to share!
Me: As a restaurant/bar owner do you feel a responsibility to the public to offer healthier menu choices?
Billy:
Personally I feel the restaurant industry does have a responsibility
but as a restaurateur I feel I have a responsibility to give my
customers what they want, which is the best products prepared and
presented in the best way possible to help them have a great dining
experience. So what I make sure we do is always buy the best, freshest
products available and then prepare that product in a way that will
make it taste the best. I always make sure our restaurants have
products available so there are options available if customers want to
substitute certain items. For instance, at Sunda we always have brown
rice and a lot of different vegetables available to substitute, we'll
accommodate a diners request for substituting menu items.Me:
Have you seen more interest as of late from patrons for healthier
options or an increase in purchases of items on the menu that are
considered healthy?
Billy: Actually quite the opposite. I
think people are going out less now with the way the economy is and
people are a lot more stressed than they used to be so I think when
they finally get a chance to go out and enjoy a nice meal or drinks
with friends they are using it as a release, a way to really relax and
indulge in something they may not have had for awhile.Me: What are 3 things that motivate you to stay in shape?
Billy:
I'm a little scared of not keeping in shape because I want to live a
long life. I'm a little paranoid that if I don't workout I'll end up
not living as long and that thought scares me. I also have to dress up
a lot for certain events or if I have a role in a movie that I need to
where clothes that are tight fitting I feel better in my own skin when
I feel healthy and fit and the third thing would be the fact that I
work a ton of long hours and with the business I'm in it's all about
customer service and I really need to be on my game all the time so
working out and keeping in shape helps keep me on my game.
Thanks Billy for taking the time to chat and let us in on some of your secrets to success.
So if you think your too busy to workout...think again and check him out at: twitter.com/BillyDec
Have a great weekend everyone!
mark@markbeier.com
markbeier.com
twitter.com/markbeier
mydadnme.com/blog/family-fit-club
Filed under: Fitness, health, wellness, Working Out With Entrepreneurs
Tags: Billy Dec, Fitness, Health, HERO Fitness, workout
Great feature! Loved reading what Billy had to say and seeing the workout. That was impressive!
Thanks Cat!