Athlete:  Randy Giveans

1. Describe your role at Jefferies?  I am currently a Senior Equity Research Associate at Jefferies in the Maritime Transportation industry. I maintain pro forma financial models for 24 shipping companies that transport crude oil and refined petroleum products, LNG, LPG, dry bulk commodities, and containers, and I write/publish periodic reports containing company specific information and Buy, Hold, or Sell stock recommendations to portfolio managers and institutional investors. I previously worked in the corporate finance department of Continental Airlines after receiving my MBA in Finance from Tulane University in 2009.

2. How did you train for The Decathlon?  In the winter, I focused on running as I was training for the Houston Marathon in hopes to qualify for the Boston Marathon. I qualified with a time of 2:59:53 (thank God!), but I injured my hip in the process. For the next 2 months, I cut out running completely and focused on building mass and strength. During May and June, I started mixing in track workouts with weight lifting, focusing on muscle endurance via full-body supersets.

3. Best memory(ies) from participating in The Decathlon?  Tough question. Honestly, I really enjoyed the entire event; from being a part of raising nearly $1.5 million for pediatric cancer research to meeting Dan O’Brien and Dave Johnson to competing against former professional athletes to connecting with financial professionals from across Wall Street, the Decathlon was one of the best athletic and charity events I have ever participated in, and I know my sentiments are shared by many others.

4. Advice to new participants?  Reach out to anyone and everyone in your fundraising efforts; you will be surprised by how many (sometimes random) people choose to donate on your behalf. Secondly, mix up your training so that you prepare for all 10 events; you will score more points overall by doing slightly better than average across the board than by trying to crush 2-3 events and scoring poorly on the rest. Lastly, on competition day, relax and have fun!

5. What are your goals for The Decathlon 2015?  After raising almost $5,000 and finishing in 9^th place overall this past year, my goals for 2015 are to raise over $10,000 and finish in the top 3 overall. Plus, I’ll be 30 years old next year, so I would also like to win that older (and wiser) age group.

Thanks, Randy.