2020 Member of the year
How does one get chosen?
Each year-end at VBK the task of identifying a member of the year hits us. When we sit down to talk about it we think who is our “Poster Child” we are looking for the member who goes above and beyond in our community and for themselves. We try to choose someone who has been consistent, positive and supportive throughout the year. 2020, as we all know was a hell of a year. Certainly a year that anyone can be justified in pulling back their typical routines and habits. However, this year we had a member so committed to VBK he’s rallied for us too many times to count. He’s stayed consistent and always smiling. This year choosing Darrell was a no-brainer. Darrell is a leader in everything he does, from teaching, his group of friends and most definitely the gym. We are lucky to have him at VBK and are happy to call him our 2020 Member of the Year!
Why we chose Darrell in Coach Kristin’s words…
I met Darrell 6 years ago at a gym we were both members of at the time. We were really only aquaintinces then but there were two things I noticed about him over that time:
1. How incredibly chill of a person he was.
2. How he worked in the gym.
A couple of years after us meeting, our trainer Greta, told me about her friend Darrell! She said he wanted wanted to check out Vitality. Funny thing is, after his trial Darrell ghosted! This happens from time to time, we don’t take it personally. Sometimes people realized this isn’t the program for them or costs or location or any one of the many reasons you might pick a gym.
Spoiler: He came back. (An entire year later! ha!)
From the very beginning, Darrell was at home in Vitality. He thrived in during the workouts and fit in like he was alway meant to be in our community. He started bringing in a friends, he was winning all our internal competitions, and always steadily building his strength and stamina. Sometimes you meet people in the gym that are too competitive for their own good. They don’t listen to their bodies, they push too hard when they should maybe be resting or they are too worried about their neighbors workout to focus on their own form. Darrell is none of these things, his competitive side is always laced with fun, he is focused on himself and he knows his own strength and abilities in a way that is inspiring.
I don’t just consider Darrell a loyal member but also a loyal friend. Now that we’ve known each other for a few years, I’m happy to say we moved away from the “guy I noticed in class at other gym” to “good friend I have many memories with.” Even if Darrell had to leave VBK, I know I have a friend for life.
Darrell was an obvious choice for a member of the year. He is dedicated to the program, he is a leader amongst his peers, and his self-assurance is admirable. He comes in and he does the work. He might gripe sometimes, and we might give him a hard time sometimes but it is always with love. He is a solid dude through and through, I trust he will always follow through on things he puts his mind to and his heart is always in the right place. Darrell, we love and are lucky to have you in our gym. Congrats and you deserve it!
Dare Dare, I love you, bud. Thank you for being such a vital heartbeat of this community. It wouldn't be the same without you.