Fit School, Inc

Nancy Durant

Name: Nancy Durant

Age: 50

Where you were born (Hometown): I was born in New Haven CT home of Yale University and the best pizza on earth (and pretty much the best food).  I grew up on Long Island Sound swimming, fishing, and playing sports.

Family: I have 2 older sisters who still live in CT, 1 younger brother who abandoned the New England snow for the sunshine of Florida, and lots of extended family in the New Haven area.

Career, business, volunteer…After I graduated with a degree in Computer Engineering, I spent 14 years with Pirelli Tire in various IT positions.  I had the good fortune of moving around the country and working in tire factories in Nashville, TN and Visalia, CA.  I know that doesn’t sound like ‘good fortune’, but I really enjoy factory environments, machinery, wiring computers to machines, and watching things get built.   One day I got a call from a recruiter who said he was from Microsoft and wanted to talk to me about my resume.  I thought he was joking.  I was living in central California and my mom was sick and in CT so I wanted to get a job back on the east coast to be closer to my family.  After a few phone calls and a quick flight to Charlotte, NC, I became a Microsoft employee and relocated to Charlotte NC.

I held 3 jobs in 3 years, progressing to more management positions.  I was offered a position in Bellevue so I jumped on it and relocated to Kirkland.   The job didn’t go as well as I had hoped, the stock market had crashed and I was burnt out.   I made a decision to leave Microsoft, take some time off and hopefully find a new position.  I took a well deserved break and spent time doing yoga, rollerblading, hiking, and generally recovering from being a workaholic.  I met the woman of my dreams online and we dated for a 1 ½ years before she finally convinced me to move to Bellingham in Oct 2001.  East coast girl meets small town charm.  Yikes.

Much to my dismay, jobs were scarce in Bellingham.  I did some sales, office management, and technical support.  Coming from the east coast, we have a propensity to eat.  Eating is a social event to us where we spend hours dining (and drinking) with family or friends.  I love to cook and entertain so I researched the culinary arts program at Bellingham Tech and decided to become the oldest member of the 2004-2006 class.  I loved going back to school at a more mature age and graduated at the top of my class.

Cooking for a living is not as exciting as it seems.  It involves hard work, long hours, little pay, and unhappy customers.  After a summer of cooking at a local restaurant, I was happy for the experience but longed for a day job where I could be on the same schedule as my friends.

Now I’m back in the corporate environment working as Project Manager for Operations at Ryzex, a global mobility solutions company.  I enjoy my job because I get different projects and I support a wide range of groups.

In my spare time I like to be outside, go to movies at the Pickford, check out restaurants, entertain friends,  read, play scrabble, and generally stay busy always doing something.  I also volunteer my time helping friends and neighbors with their computer issues.

Favorite music: All across the board.  Country, Classic Rock, Classical, Jazz, old school rap.  Always open to new sounds

Favorite book: Mary Doria Russell, The Sparrow

Favorite quote: “I’m a true believer in karma. You get what you give, whether it’s bad or good. ” Sandra Bullock

What do you like best about walking and/or running?

The challenge to run a little bit more every time, enjoying nature

What inspires you to keep a regular exercise routine?

I’ve lost 30 lbs so far so losing weight and controlling my health is a big factor as well as mentally feeling better about myself, the challenge of it, and being active and outside.

What are some tips you have about eating a healthy diet?

Don’t starve yourself.  Try to keep a healthy diet during the week and give yourself a treat on the weekend.   Think before you eat.

What is the biggest obstacle you have overcome:

A few years ago I struggled with alcoholism and bipolar disorder.  There were many difficult days and I wasn’t sure if I was going to survive them.  With a caring, supportive partner by my side, some very good therapists and  doctors, and medication to control the mood swings, I am in a much better position and enjoying life with a clearer perspective.

Your favorite place in the world you have walked/run/hiked:

Hiking with partner Pam in Kauai along the coast to hidden swim holes in rock formations.  Here she is in the jeep rental she loved and one of the swimming holes.

Pam and Jeep in Kauai

Swimming hole in Kauai