ironmanmagazine.com | AUGUST 2017 63IM: You competed on NBC’s American Ninja Warrior.
Tell us about the experience.
RD: I competed on season 8 of American Ninja Warrior
in the Philadelphia qualifying rounds. Philly qualifi ers for
season 8 was the only qualifying round that no competitors
were able to complete the course. I was selected to be on the
show and, two weeks later, I was in Philly getting ready to run
the course. It was such a wonderful bucket list experience.
IM: Is your training different with American Ninja
Warrior?
RD: It is a little bit in the sense that I am incorporating a lot
more of grip training, balance and hanging exercises. You
don’t know what obstacles will be on the course so you need
to make sure you’re trying to cover all the bases. I was hitting
a lot more double gym sessions as well. I still maintained hit-
ting my cardio, but my workouts were a lot more calisthenics
based than lifting weights at that time.
IM: What are some interesting things that your fans
might not know about you?
RD: I’m a sucker for cats and dogs. I like to go to bed early
during the week and even on the weekend sometimes, too.
I’m an early riser. During the week, I’m up around 4:30am
and the weekends I get up at about 5:30am!
IM: What’s your favorite body part on yourself?
RD: My favorite body part on myself is my back.
IM: What’s your nutrition like?
RD: I eat three meals daily and a couple snacks. I try to stay
within healthy means for a person with a busy personal
training schedule morning to night. Staying in that range
means meal prep. I bring my six pack lunch pack to work and
pack chicken and rice for two meals and have nuts or fruit as
a snack.
IM: Do you have any words of wisdom that have served
you well over the years that you feel can help our readers
in their fi tness journey?
RD: Life is like a roller coaster. If it was smooth sailing, it
would be boring. Get up and show up every day. Any work-
out is better than none. Wake up with determination. Go to
bed with satisfaction. Not every day is going to be your best.
IM: Is there anyone you look to for inspiration?
RD: One of my biggest inspirations is my father.
I wouldn’t be the person I am today without his incredible
guidance and foundation for our family, always teaching
me the best morals and values and instilling a great
work ethic.“Any workout
is better than
none..”