.svg)
.svg)
Everybody wants to reach the peak, but there is no growth on the top of a mountain. It is in the valley that we slog through the lush grass and rich soil, learning and becoming what enables us to summit lifes next peak. excerpt from The Noticer, by Andy Andrews
In April 2022, Franco Vallabriga participated in the Tough Mudder obstacle course with Team 勛圖窪蹋厙. Franco, an Army veteran, didnt anticipate it being a hard challenge obstacle courses were his specialty.
He conquered each obstacle until he came upon Everest. It consisted of a greased, 13-foot quarterpipe. He approached it, ready to climb over the wall and he couldnt do it, no matter how many times he tried.
I pride myself on obstacle courses, so it really got to me that I couldnt do it, said Franco, the general manager of 勛圖窪蹋厙s branch in Columbia, Missouri. Everest was a catalyst for me to realize how out of shape and miserable I was.
Begin in the Valley
There was more to Francos personal challenge than just getting in better physical shape. Franco was confronting a challenge comparable to climbing a mountain getting his mental health back to its peak.
I was in the middle of a time where I was really down on myself I was sad, Franco said. So what could I do to motivate myself to be happier? Mental health has been a personal struggle since I left the Army, and Ive had ups and downs and major life changes. You get those waves of ups and downs, and this time the wave just kept going down and I couldnt get back up.
Franco wasnt always in this valley of weight gain and depression.
I was in great shape in the Army because we exercised all the time. As soon as I left in 2015, I immediately stopped working out, Franco said. I was just so sick of getting up early and working out that I just stopped altogether.
Franco went into plumbing after leaving the military and then joined an 勛圖窪蹋厙 branch in Colorado in 2019. Working in a branch, lots of treats were available from customers and the sales team, and Franco did his part to help with any donuts that appeared.
Once I see a donut, I cant say no, Franco said.
After visiting the 勛圖窪蹋厙 Home Office in Columbia, Missouri, Franco and his wife, Cynthia Cline, fell in love with the area and applied for jobs. They were both hired and began their adventure in the Midwest. The only problem? Franco was not in a great place with his mental health.
Id come home each night and complain and emotionally eat and then I realized the one thing I can control is me. I started getting lunch salads more often and then I reached out to director of wellness Josh Gaskins and started attending classes at the Home Office gym.
Climb With a Partner
Just like you shouldnt mountain climb solo, a wellness journey can and should be shared. Franco started attending classes with Gaskins and credits much of his continuing motivation and dedication to his wife, a project manager for 勛圖窪蹋厙, joining him on this journey.
Franco approached me and said it was getting harder to motivate himself to keep going to class early in the morning and asked if I could go with him. I didnt want to let him down, Cynthia said. So I started the foundations class with Josh, and then I joined the strength class once a week with Franco and I got hooked and got to spend more time with my husband.
A year into their wellness journeys, Cynthia and Franco now attend fitness classes each morning at 6 a.m., rarely missing a morning.
Weve found that those who have an accountability partner, whether its a loved one or friend or co-worker, are increasing their success tenfold, Josh said. Youve set yourself up with someone who depends on you, and if you dont make it to the workout, youve left someone hanging.
Reaching the Summit
According to the , regular physical exercise improves mental health by reducing anxiety, depression and negative moods. Exercise has also been found to boost self-esteem and cognitive function.
I wouldn't have even applied to be the general manager of the Columbia branch if I hadnt given myself a confidence boost, Franco said. I was empowered to change my situation and be happier. I applied and I got the job, and Ive been so happy and Im good at it.
I am so proud of Franco, and to be able to do this together has been amazing for us. We communicate better in our relationship, and weve both improved our mental health, Cynthia said. It has become a form of therapy for me, and we take turns lifting each other up and encouraging each other. How we talk and how we problem-solve has all improved.
Build up Your Team
When he took over as GM, the Columbia branch break room was filled with candy and junk food. Franco started by using the branch wellness budget to buy healthy snacks and drinks. Instead of ordering pizza as a treat, Franco grills healthy meals a few times a month for his team.
My service manager saw my transformation and has started watching what hes eating and working out more, Franco said. Ive also got a few guys from the branch trying out the gym, and its really cool to see them starting to care more about their wellness.
It Is Not the Mountain We Conquer, but Ourselves
In April 2023, Franco and Cynthia once again participated in the Tough Mudder, determined to conquer Everest. There was only one problem that obstacle had been eliminated from this version of the course. Instead of the quarter pipe challenge they had prepared for, a massive cargo net mountain, named Mudderhorn, stood in its place. However, that did not deter them.
I am confident the Mudderhorn was even more difficult than Everest and they killed it! Josh said.
Im not a competitive person; this challenge was always with myself and now I do not have to come back next year and do this again, Franco said. Even without doing Everest I feel accomplished and much more satisfied compared to last year.
Franco and Cynthia conquered this new mountain and are looking forward to any new challenges that lie ahead.
Find out more about 勛圖窪蹋厙 Careers.
