Everybody Loves Jim! (A Man’s Determination)
Everyone loves Jim, primarily because he gives love to everyone!
Jim loves a good conversation, he could talk about anything. He also loves his family and friends. I met Jim at a networking group. I was promoting health and wellness through running, and Jim was promoting financial health. One characteristic of Jim’s that immediately impressed me was his willingness to go the extra mile for his family. He travels long distances to take care of them and make sure they have a good life. At the time I met him he was traveling 40 minutes from his office to his networking group and then back home!
Jim was introduced to the idea of checking out the Keep Calm And Run To The Best You 5k training program. At the time that Jim came to check it out, the training was held at a park in Somers Point NJ, 50 minutes from his office in Hammonton. To have that connection, Jim was willing to make the trip after work. Jim joined the group officially in 2017. After running for years, he decided to tackle his first 5k. This 5k was challenging, going the entire distance over a massive bridge. Running a 5k is challenging enough, to do so over the Ocean City/ Somers Point bridge is another animal entirely. To put in the work on his health after work is yet another bear of a challenge. His ride home after practices took another 45 minutes. You could only imagine how long his days were. Yet Jim was willing to do it. Why?
We asked Jim why he decided to join the Run To The Best You program? Jim said: “I wanted to do something to improve my health, and I knew that I wanted to meet others for support. Running is something I’ve always loved doing. I would try to do it on my own for awhile then give up.” - Oh also, for the t-shirts!” We do have some cool shirts if I may say so myself -Coach Tadris. It wasn’t until 2018 that I found out Jim’s deep passion to get healthier was also due to a personal life-changing event in 2017. Jim no doubt has a lot on his plate, between owning his own business, being a loving husband to his wife Diana, and great father to his son Charlie. I asked Jim has his son inspired him in a way to run or keep running? Jim’s response: “Yes. I’ll never be able to keep up with him otherwise!” Jim’s response just makes me smile.
Jim gets teased sometimes due to his fun personality and how he doesn't take himself too seriously. Fellow members would get a laugh at how Jim would show up to training with food in hand. One time he showed up to the group training slightly late as he had to contend with traffic. Jim had a Wawa coffee and was eating a granola bar. That’s how he tells the story, others say that it was a hot dog and soda right before the run. The story keeps growing, I believe it was somewhere between a taco or a danish. Regardless of what he was eating right before the training, he knew that it was a challenge for him to get food that day and he needed fuel for the journey. Regardless of the challenges, Jim is always willing to keep getting out there putting one foot in front of the other.
Jim has come a long way since his first time over the bridge! He crushed his personal best in a 5k training session here in mid December 2019. If he could do that in practice in the winter there is no doubt he would turn in some great times come spring 2020. Jim completed his first 10k , 15k, and has a 10 mile race under his belt. Jim’s next goal is to run Rock and Roll Half Marathon in May 2020 in Atlantic City, N.J. Jim has been determined to help families with their financial health as determined as he is determined to take care of his physical health. Have Jim take a look at your finances, he can be reached at 609 561 1866 & email: jim.siwek@edwardjones.com
Listen to more of Jim Siwek’s story on the next episode of The Keep Calm And Run To The Best You (The Podcast) Monday December 23rd. Why don’t you join us?
Feel free to join one of our training programs:
Online 5k Training Program https://www.runtothebestyou.com/silver-online-5k-beyond-program
In Person Group Meet Up: https://www.runtothebestyou.com/gold-in-person-group-trainings
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