Fitness doesn’t have to be a chore.
Frank Clayton, Jr.
I had the absolute pleasure of meeting this Physical Activity Expert during the INAUGURAL, First Annual Fatherhood Summit hosted by Merritt College in Oakland, CA. Let me just say, as SOON as I got wind of a Fatherhood Summit in my area I was ALL IN! Their tagline “Celebrating and Honoring the Power of Fatherhood” ABSOLUTELY resonated with me.
There exists a real deficit in Father-On-Father community support for father figures. Dads, Fathers, Stepdads, whichever you identify with, there is an apparent lack of support for US and we feel it every day and see the negative outcomes of a FATHERLESS community. So, we must support each other. But I digress…I was first introduced to Mr. Clayton, Jr. during his Health And Wellness discussion on “Healthy Living On a Budget” during the Fatherhood Summit. Notable to me was his demeanor, his comfort in front of strangers, but even more so, was his F.A.M.I.L.Y. that were also involved. Since I arrived quite a bit early, I was able to witness a well-dressed gentleman with an apparent infant, a wife and toddler. I knew I was in the right place. Once the Workshop started, he took center stage, gained command of the audience and engaged US with wife, toddler and infant in tow. IMPRESSIVE!
Granted, Mrs. Clayton Jr., COMMANDED the offspring as Mr. Clayton, Jr. did what he does best and taught his captivated audience what they can do to take control of their health on a budget. NEVERTHELESS, the workshop was a success and I was happy to invite Mr. Clayton, Jr., to be not only a featured ACITVE-DAD, but our very first EXPERT!
I asked Frank Clayton, Jr., about his experience as an Every Day Active-Dad, with some EXPERT TIPS.
- What is your physical fitness background? Did you play sports growing up? Were you physically active throughout your life or is this a fairly new passion that came along with your profession? I have been playing sports and active my whole life. Played all the big 3 sports; baseball, basketball, football. However, as an adult physical fitness and wellness became more about helping others improve of life. Every day I look forward to helping people make the little improvements that will benefit them.
- What EXACTLY is your profession and what does your daily schedule consist of? I am a formally educated Performance Psychology coach with a Master’s Degree in Performance Psychology, I am a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) trained and credentialed Personal Trainer (PT), Small Group PT, Fitness Nutrition Specialist AND Performance Enhancement Specialist. I work with a range of clients currently but specialize in youth athletics. My days starts at 4:30 a.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. I can work with anywhere between 2-8 clients a day.
- How big is your immediate family and how old are your children? My immediate family is 5 strong! My wife and 3 children—daughter 7yrs, son 3yrs, and son 1.5yrs old.
- Are your wife and kids physically active? If so, how so? My children definitely are. My daughter is dabbling in sports play. Played rec basketball last year for the time. My boys workout with me in the living room and are typical little boys. They climb and jump off everything.
- Throughout your stages of fatherhood, what are some things you just could not do without to stay consistently active? For example, when your child was an infant, what did you use to keep you going? When your child became a toddler, a pre-schooler, etc. The carrier was crucial. I still worked and often take my children me to many places, so I couldn’t do it without that carrier. The car seat was pivotal as well. We were smart or lucky enough to get the stroller that converts as the children grow. That’s been helpful for our lake walks.
- What motivates you to prioritize physical activity? Health. Fitness prevents, eliminates, reduces, or helps manage so many conditions. Growing up active allowed me to focus and learn about health early. Lifestyle, as we get older, can shift our health. Focusing on prioritizing fitness can and many times often does become a matter of life and death. I don’t want any preventable ailments to impact my family.
- What has been your biggest challenges in prioritizing physical activity? (If you can, break it down in stages of fatherhood) How did you overcome them? How do you suggest others overcome them? As father we wear many hats. Father doesn’t also mean husband, but when it does it adds a whole other layer of complexity to your life. I get pulled 100 different ways. Being a fitness pro, many think you get to work out all the time. Hey, you are at the gym—right? Time management was big thing I had to make sure I became an expert at. My daughter was simple. However, when the boys were newborns and infants, long days and longer nights drained me physically and mentally. I had to make sure I scheduled time to work out. I made it part of my job. It actually adds energy when you are low. As contrary as it may sound. The weeks I worked out the most were the weeks I had felt the less tired.
- What is the biggest reason for your success in prioritizing physical activity and why? MINDSET. I developed a mindset of this is absolutely necessary. It’s necessary so I can do things with my kids. It’s necessary that I be an example.
- What impact has physical activity had on your life? When I was younger I had asthma. I was able to establish enough cardio through play to develop my lungs and outgrow the condition. Throughout life fitness has be a social rest haven. Sports through adolescence and adulthood have shape so many aspects of my life.
- What suggestions would you give to people who say they “don’t have time for physical activity” and how do they stay motivated? I would tell them they have to think of it as if it was anything else. If it was a mandatory meeting or happy hour they would schedule it and be there. You have to take that same approach to your physical activity. The other piece of advice I would add is to DIVORCE the “ALL OR NOTHING” attitude when it comes to your workouts. We often think we have to make every gym or physical outing feel the same (i.e., We run 3.5 miles, so we have to hit that mark every time we run). Find out what you like. Fitness doesn’t have to be a chore.
- Could you explain your business and what it provides its customers? My personal training does what you would expect from a Personal Trainer. I get people into shape. The part of my business that adds the most value to the customer is the mental performance coaching. Performance cuts across every aspect of our life. My business tagline is in fact that “Life Is A Performance and You Are A Game Changer”. Whether you are attempting to lower your golf score or increase your weekly production, or reduce your stress during job interviews, you can improve or gain tools to use from mental coaching.
- How can people get in contact with you? My website is up. http://www.frankclaytonjr.com/ I am adding some features but it is up and going! Email: fclayton@frankclaytonjr.com Instagram: @frankclaytonjr Facebook: Frank Clayton’s Friendly Fitness
Wrap-Up:
Whether you are an EXPERT or just an EVERY DAY DAD (check out Ask An Active-Dad: Every Day Dad Edition with Eric Heinze), the rules remain the same. Start where you are at and EXPAND on it. Find some tools that will allow you to make Prioritizing Physical Activity more convenient (jogging strollers, infant carriers, hiking backpacks, etc.). When it is all said and done, Time-Management and Commitment is UP TO YOU!
When you need EXPERT advice, LOOK NO FURTHER!
All dads should be Active-Dads.