Danny McElroy: Pilot, Business Man and Fitness Inspiration | Photography by Matt Hoffer
Introducing Possibodily’s first ever installment of Action Figures, a series profiling individuals aiming high to achieve their health and fitness dreams. Some are well on their way and others are just getting started. All are inspirational. I hope you’ll be encouraged wherever you are on your own journey.
By Matt Hoffer
About a year and a half ago, Danny McElroy’s physician told him his preferred method of exercise wasn’t going to cut it if he wanted to achieve the healthier frame and lifestyle he desired. In fact, it was making things worse.
His career, like mine, is fairly sedentary by nature, and starting in 1997 he would play basketball at the gym to stay in shape. However, with two knee surgeries already behind him, running up and down the court three times a week with extra weight on him was beginning to cause too much damage. By 2013 he had undergone four more operations on his knees.
“I thought I was in shape, but I was not in shape by any stretch of the imagination,” Danny said.
These issues and two shoulder injuries date back to his time on the college football team at North Texas State University (now University of North Texas).
Here’s Danny kicking a field goal for North Texas State. Photograph courtesy of Danny McElroy.
Not for lack of desire or effort, Danny was unable to shed his extra weight and continued to stay on blood pressure and cholesterol medication. Faced with these challenges and his doctor’s advice to stop playing ball, he knew something had to change.
The answer, it turns out, was just beyond the basketball court.
About two years ago, Billy Wiland, my fellow co-worker and friend, started an informal, CrossFit-inspired workout group by re-engineering a racquetball court to handle a variety of workouts from pull-ups to wallballs to ring dips. If you are not acquainted with CrossFit, check out CrossFit.com to see photos and workout examples. The exercises can be exceptionally demanding and the pace is usually very intense with many workouts lasting between 10 and 20 minutes (and some less than three minutes if you’re quick enough).
Serendipitously for Danny, this particular group of athletes had to cross by the basketball court on their way to and from workouts that were held just down the hallway. Upon recognizing their discipline and success, he approached Weiland and another member, Eldridge Burns, to find out if it was right for him.
“It’s pretty simple … I talked to them and gave them my scenario,” Danny explained. “And Eldridge and Billy are very nice, super good guys, and they said, ‘we do a lot of things that stress flexibility. There is some running, but we can do rowing instead and there are alternatives to that’ … I had to find an alternative (to basketball), and Eldridge and Billy were kind enough to just say ‘Try it. Come try it out and see what you think.’ That was the first week of June, last year (2013).”
After getting clearance from his doctor, he began to join the group on a regular basis. Just a little over a year later, Danny continues to work out with the same core group three times a week. With his trademark enthusiasm, he readily tell others at the gym how much he enjoys participating in these workouts.
“Everybody is so positive. Everybody is so encouraging. Everybody is on the same page. You get everybody working for a common goal. My dad taught me that .. if everyone is striving and working hard and being recognized as doing that, then the sky is the limit.”
And the results speak for themselves. Danny has built up muscle and lost 25 pounds in a years time, going from 194 to 169, which has increased his overall vitality and health. His wife even started him on a gluten-free diet without telling him at first, and that has also helped him stay fit and energetic.
“My cholesterol is under 200 for the first time in ten years. I’m off blood pressure medicine that I had taken during that time,” he said.”
From Christmas 2012 to 2013, Danny achieved dramatic weight loss and overall health improvement through new diet and exercise routines. Way to go, Danny! Photographs courtesy of Danny McElroy.
I also asked Danny a few pointed questions about what motivates him and what lessons he’s learned along the way that have helped him.
How do you stay inspired to keep your routine? Is it mostly contained within the CrossFit group?
I don’t want to be a cornball, but God is my inspiration. I get up every morning, and take a deep breath and thank the Lord that I’m still here. My parents were very adamant in making me realize there is a greater power out there besides you. My inspirations are God and my parents.
I enjoy CrossFit because I push myself harder with peer motivation.
A group setting where you see guys right next to you that are busting their buns to try and workout, and they’re going through the same thing you’re going through, it’s a fraternity. It really is. I know Billy compared it to the Marine Corps, but you’re with a bunch of guys that you work out with and everyone is pushing everybody, everybody is encouraging everybody, which is huge in the CrossFit world in my opinion. You might scale it down to a level that is below somebody else, but that doesn’t really matter. As long as you put forth the effort, and you’re going through the same scenarios these guys and girls are going through, it really is motivating.
Danny demonstrating the “up” in push-up. Looking strong! | Photography by Matt Hoffer
How would you encourage someone who has had similar injuries or just wants to be healthier to get started in a routine?
With my competitive drive being a college athlete, wanting to do it all right now, it doesn’t work like that. You’ve got to build up. Even now, the exercises we do, I scale things down so I don’t hurt myself. … Get a physical. Get clearance to start doing the workouts. Start slow, build up, and it becomes addictive. When you see the results, you’ll continue to work out.
Can you see any link between being in good physical shape and how that might help your other passions?
I fly airplanes, and being in shape and flying somewhere with my wife, I’m not worrying about having a heart attack tomorrow, or a stroke or something like that to where we’re up in the air together and she doesn’t know how to fly. I hope somebody would talk her down; they don’t give pilot licenses in a bubble gum machine. It’s a very long process with a lot of training.
Do you have any future fitness goals?
Billy wants me to compete in the CrossFit competitions next year at an age group when I turn 54 … That’s not really my goal. My goal is to maintain fitness, to keep the weight where it’s manageable like it is now and just continue to work at it. CrossFit is addictive.
What are three words to describe your Personal Action Philosophy?
I came up with three words really easily: Work. Sweat. Succeed. That’s not just in CrossFit training, that’s really in life. Aim for that goal, work at it, sweat at it, and you’ll succeed.
QUICK HITS
Favorite Quote: “We shall never surrender.” – Sir Winston Churchill
Favorite Meal: Filet Mignon and a salad
Favorite music: Classic rock and anything upbeat
Heroes: Parents
Secret Superpower: Driven
Danny, always giving his all, credits how addictive CrossFit is with helping him get back in shape. | Photography by Matt Hoffer
Danny McElroy is an outstanding example of how hard work, persistence and the right community will improve your quality of life in the face of significant obstacles. He describes himself as the senior guy in the group, but I’ve heard many people comment he looks younger than he actually is. Beyond that he’s got just as much, if not more, positive motivation in him than a lot of us youngsters.
Many thanks to Danny for being willing to openly share his story. He inspires me to work harder, and to go after my dreams with reckless abandon.
Keep up the good work, Danny!
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