Teambonding - Experience the Power of Play

Back in 2004 I sat in the office of my friend Gary Marino. Gary was and is one of my favorite people in the world. Gary owned an entertainment and video company and we worked together with many of our corporate clients and he was at a crossroads in his life. He was ready to do something else, something big, something inspiring and he had an idea. Gary you see is a big guy, at one time he weighed 397lbs and had always struggled with his weight. He was a food addict. Gary decided to walk from Florida to Boston to raise awareness to battle America’s obesity epidemic. This was before the Biggest Loser, Gary was the first and he was going to walk 10 miles a day through Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington, DC, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and through Massachusetts to his hometown of Boston, visiting with weight loss groups, wellness centers, schools, and elected officials along the way.

You see, when he did his walk the first time, he really made it happen. You have to imagine a big guy that is taking time off his successful career for something that he really believes in. Not just taking time off but putting his body through a 1,200 mile walk. He not only had to convince his wife and his friends but he had to raise money to make it happen. At that time, it seemed a little crazy but there was no denying Gary and as one of his friends, I supported his decision and knew his life was about to change, in a way that he could but I couldn’t have imagined.

He really worked hard to get people to see his vision, far ahead of the pack. I am proud to have introduced him to his financial sponsor, Todd Patkin, who financed the crew, the mobile home that followed him. his Gary’s belief in the goal and his creation of the Generation Excel Foundation, a non-profit corporation was as inspiring as the walk.

Gary was on the radio, in newspapers along the way and was followed and appeared live with Kelly and Regis. All along the way he was documenting the experience of the people he met and inspired and who inspired him, and he wrote a book, The Big and Tall Chronicles and produced a documentary, the Million Calorie March, the Movie. I was proud to walk with Gary the 10 miles coming into Richmond, Virginia, seeing him again in Stamford, Connecticut and finally meeting back in Boston for his welcome home party. Gary is one of those guys that you like as soon as you meet him and he is not done.

Gary is on the road again and here is what he just sent me:

“After 2 years off the road producing dozens of events locally with Generation Excel and the “Million Calorie March” movie – I’m pleased to get back to where our passion lies: motivational, educational and inspirational awareness campaigns. We have been working fast and furious in pre-production for the 600 mile, mountains to the sea “Million Step March”. A walking and fitness campaign this time – it is designed to inspire people in North Carolina to build 30 – 60 minutes of walking into their everyday lives and live longer, more productive, healthier, happier lives. To inspire them we’ll be walking 12 miles days through the mountains in Ashville, Charlotte, Winston Salem, Greensboro, Chapel Hill, Raleigh Durham, Greenville, and Fayetteville ending in Wilmington on the seashore this summer.

Just another health and fitness campaign? Well, try this on for size. I’m on the road with one of the most dynamic teams I’ve ever worked with it. From the CEO to the CMO down to the community relations, corporate communications to the public relations people – Blue Cross Blue Shield is going for it in a way which I’ve never seen. Joining us for this march is a state of the art mobile truck tour complete with lecture stages, multi-media rooms, kitchen demonstration truck (see attached photos) complete with seating for 40 people, an attraction called “The Workplace of the Future” (modern treadmills equipped with hi tech computers linking directly to the Million Step March website). Did I mention the giant inflatable “Shoe Box Theater” (photo attached) for guest speakers and screenings of the “Million Calorie March” documentary? As if that isn’t enough we’re barnstorming the state with 60 interactive live events in a 75 day period. Dr. Howard Rankin, from the MCM movie will be with us for a select number of dates as well. We’re inviting people out via TV commercials, radio ads, an interactive website moving billboards, sponsorships, blogs, you name it.

The new website for his new walk is www.betterhealthNC.com

I am proud to know Gary and if you are in North Carolina, or in need of a motivational speaker who really “walks the walk”. I encourage you to get in touch with Gary. He continues to inspire me.