5 Questions with Darius Miles, 'Insane Fitness' owner: 'You're worth every ounce'
How did you come up with the name Insane Fitness for your gym?
A dear friend, Cynthia Jones, and I were brainstorming one day; and it was her idea to name the gym Insane Fitness. The premise of the concept is in order to make a real lifestyle change you have to shock your body and mind. Initially it will feel insane because you are breaking new ground and altering your state of being. But once you submit to the process, see the progress, and improve your health status, it then becomes insane to revert back to old mind set and habits.
You have struggled with weight problems, right?
Yes, I struggled with weight problems. In 2008, when I had a serious car accident, I gained a significant amount of weight as a result. I struggled to lose it, but I pushed through. I lost about 50 pounds within a year. My breakthrough didn't come though until I made up my mind to commit to myself, realized I can only lose one pound at a time, and started loving myself right where I was. And Nick Saban's philosophy about how to win a championship one game at a time really helped me to develop this new approach. Once I got this in my head, the weight really started to come off.
What makes the Columbus area a good place to call home?
What I appreciate about being someone from the area is the tri-city teaches, promotes, and caters to family ideals. Plus, there is no place like home. It has that small-town feel but with big-city influences that connects heritage to the future.
What is your advice to someone who has spent years on the couch and is trying to figure out how to get back in shape?
I totally understand how hard someone may find it to get started and then maintain the motivation to get back into shape. When I first started working out, I found going to the gym intimidating and depressingly frustrating because there were only skinny people at the gym; plus, on top of that my progress was slow. To overcome these issues, you have to accept where you are and change your perspective, which is building a healthier you. It is good to have a goal, however, you have to focus more on the process of how to make things happen and use your small victories to continue to propel you forward. People have to remember that this is a lifestyle that takes commitment and time. And you are worth every ounce of work you put in. So, just take things one day at a time. Decide what you can do today to move to a better you, and start there.
What is the best kept secret in the Chattahoochee Valley?
Without a doubt TEARS is the best kept secret in the Chattahoochee Valley! This agency is dedicated to nourishing development of teens in the area. The Teens Empowerment Awareness ResolutionS offers a comprehensive program that constructively addresses the many challenges they face in today's society. They are dedicated to ensuring and cultivating the youth. TEARS works diligently to provide parameters for teenagers to mature into forward thinking adults who pragmatically assess situations and address them accordingly.
Vital Stats
Name: Darius Miles
Age: 38
Job: Entrepreneur
Hometown: Crawford, Ala.
Current home: Phenix City
Family: Single
Education: An associate’s degree from CVCC, Certified by the International Sports Sciences Association
Favorite book: The Bible
Favorite movie: “Love and Basketball”
Favorite restaurant: Meritage
Favorite quote: “You be might smarter, but you won’t out work me. You might be faster, but you won’t out work me. You might be stronger, but you will NEVER out work me!”
Favorite song: “More than Words” by Extreme
Best concert attended: Funk Fest 2014 Jacksonville, FL
This story was originally published January 4, 2015 at 8:23 PM with the headline "5 Questions with Darius Miles, 'Insane Fitness' owner: 'You're worth every ounce'."