Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/1528788
24 WAC Magazine | wac.net living fit work-life balance better. You do better work because your focus is better." She also uses her workouts to decom- press from her job as a criminal defense attorney fighting capital punishment. "It's stressful work, but it's also reward- ing," she says. "At some point," Mark adds, "having it be consistent, it becomes no longer a chore but a daily routine." John Hall John Hall's work for Noble Forest Ven- tures focuses on large-scale reforestation projects that generate carbon credits to support corporate climate goals. "It's rewarding work," says John, who joined the WAC in 2018. "But it's also demand- ing, which makes prioritizing my own wellness essential." John graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and served as a captain and naval aviator in the U.S. Marine Corps. So he knows all about high-stakes and high-pressure environments. Which is why it came as a huge shock to him a few years back when he injured his back doing something he calls "incredibly embarrassing"—liing a laptop bag out of his car. "As someone who served nine years as a Naval Aviator in the Marine Corps and took fitness very seriously, that was a real wake-up call," he says. "It was clear that work had started to encroach on my fitness routine. at injury was my cue to get back to putting health first." Shortly aerward, he started working with a personal trainer two days a week and eventually increased that to three. "Since then, I've become stronger, more flexible, and haven't had another injury," he says. John also uses the WAC for work meetings, which saves time and leaves a good impression. "It's a great space for hosting clients and vendors," he says. During a recent workout in Coed Fitness, John focused on upper-body exercises, including an old go-to from his Personal training has helped John Hall balance a busy career with his fitness and wellness goals. Continued from page 23 days in the Marines—pull-ups. "In the Marines, 20 is just perfect," he says. "I was all the way down to two. I'd just let every- thing slide. But we fixed all that." John says workouts are now "a non- negotiable part of my schedule." Main- taining his commitment to three hours of weekly personal training positively impacts his entire life. "I know I need to get enough sleep and not overcommit to late-night client events when I have a challenging workout the next morning," he says. He also needs to keep up with his 10-year-old daughter, a competitive figure skater and cross-country runner. "Seeing her dedication reminds me of the importance of staying balanced and prioritizing health," John says. "Keeping a strong work-life balance allows me to give my best both at home and at work." —Darrick Meneken is Director of Com- munications at the WAC. He's always looking for story ideas and a new work- out. Email him at dmeneken@wac.net. "Keeping a strong work-life balance allows me to give my best both at home and at work." —John Hall E M I L I O H U E R TA S ( 2 )