Thank you for allowing me to introduce myself.

I began my career in helping others after having spent more than my share of time in the corporate environment. Years of being a stockbroker left me feeling drained and I could feel a storm brewing within me. I felt it was time to explore my passions and find a career doing what made me feel joy. I knew I was destined to help others so I began exploring possibilities that would fulfill me.

My exploratory quest led me into the practice of massage therapy. Still employed fulltime at a stockbroker, I enrolled in the Associates Degree program for Therapeutic Massage at Phoenix, College in Phoenix, Arizona. After completing the two year program, I attended more specialized training for sports massage, deep tissue work as well as obtaining certifications in LaStone® Therapy™ Massage (a hot and cold stone therapeutic modality), Traditional Thai Yoga Massage, and a array of other bodywork methods (see my Certifications below).

At the same time, I decided to finally address my obesity. My first step was to consult a dietary professional who was able to teach me the fundamentals of proper nutrition. That first step was a huge and most important part of my success physically! I knew I had to get more active and wanted to start slowly. With that, I opted to begin a hot yoga practice.

Yoga inspired me to do more physical activity. I joined a gym and started working out a few times a week. Now that I was losing weight and becoming more active, I thought it was time to push myself further and that led me to a bike store. With my new bike, I started riding around town on the weekends and found that it was not only fun, but it was also therapeutic in many ways because I found myself “thinking big” when in the saddle. I had heard about a bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles, researched it, and signed up! It was a lofty goal but my drive helped me to complete the multi-day event. I should note that by this time, I had lost over 100 pounds and had also reached my weight loss goal. 2002 was a great year for me indeed.

I was able to use my background in yoga to create the Hot Yoga Program at Your Body Center, a yoga studio, in Houston, Texas and become the program director. It was an incredibly rewarding accomplishment in my yoga career. To this day, I am grateful for the privilege to have served as motivator and guide to the many students and instructors along my journey.

While living in Houston, I was fortunate enough to open my own massage practice. During this time, I met a client who reignited my love of running. She inspired me to attempt my first marathon and since then, I’ve completed several. The pinnacle of my running career, so to speak, was completing the Goofy Challenge at Walt Disney World for my 50th birthday. The challenge consisted of running a half marathon on a Saturday and then a full marathon the next day. It was an incredibly joyful birthday gift to be able to complete the challenge.

Bodybuilding and weight training seemed like the logical next step for me. With the help of my nutritionist, I learned how to eat to maximize muscle gain while still focusing on fat loss. Fueling my body properly, I was able to reduce my body fat percentage to just under 7% within a short period of time.

All good things got better with a relocation to Seattle, Washington. Once in Seattle, I took time to get certified as a Fitness Nutrition Coach so that I could help others in their own weight loss journey. I knew that if I could do it, I could serve as a coach and inspire others. I know what it’s like to go from fat to fit and want to help others do the same.

I have been blessed in my life and live in gratitude for all those who have been there when I needed them the most. It is my goal in life to pay it forward and to be there to inspire and motivate others to find their power within themselves and achieve their dreams.

Peace…

~Donald Card

Certifications & Credentials of Donald Card