Market: New York

Athlete: David Weis (Millstein & Co.)

My most powerful memories from last year’s experience were all related to the generosity I saw from donors – whether family and friends or total strangers. I was blown away by their support both in donations and in notes of encouragement.

In fact, my very first donation last year was from another Decathlete, whose words of encouragement set the stage: “I saw you haven’t begun fundraising, but I’m inspired by your story and I’m sure others will be too, so don’t hold back.” So I didn’t. Just prior to game…

Market: New York, Boston, San Francisco 

Athlete: Paul Marino (Pioneer Investments) 

If you can’t find a reason to do it for yourself, find a reason to do it for others. It’s a motto I live by to keep myself active, productive, and unselfish.

I’ve been fortunate my entire life to be healthy. I never take that for granted and any chance I get to help those who haven’t been as fortunate as I am, is an easy decision for me to get involved. So when I was asked to compete in The Decathlon to benefit pediatric cancer research, I jumped…

Market:  New York

Athlete:  John Giusti (ICAP)

I’m a first-time competitor in next month’s New York Decathlon.

After reading UNBROKEN entries, I have gained a tremendous amount respect for past competitors and an invaluable look into having the opportunity to be named “Wall Street’s Best Athlete.”  I’m honored to share insight from a fresh point of view: a newcomer’s standpoint.

I first learned of The Decathlon in 2015 while studying for the Series 24.  Needing something to help me through that arduous process, I promised myself that if I passed the test I would compete in…

Andy Fenack is a Physical Therapist at Finish Line Physical Therapy, which specializes in working with an active population of runners and endurance athletes. Andy earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Stony Brook University and is recognized as a Fellow of Applied Functional Science through the internationally acclaimed Gray Institute. He works with our athletes in New York City.

Proper warm-up strategies are key in optimizing performance during track workouts. Though running is globally a sagittal plane (forward/backward) movement, every joint and muscle in the body is actually moving in all three planes of motion (sagittal, frontal plane -…

Market: New York

Athlete: Rob Stufano (Cushman & Wakefield)

As a rookie in 2015, I registered for The Decathlon having absolutely no idea what to expect. I knew I wanted to compete and have an impact on such a great cause, but there were many unknowns;  What’s the best way to train?  How do I focus my fundraising?  How well will I do? These questions raced through my mind throughout the training cycle, but from the minute I arrived at the stadium on game day and checked in, The Decathlon had me hooked.

Thanks to a year of …

Market:  New York

Athlete:  David Lazarus (Trillium Trading)

This June will be my second Decathlon. 

I started fundraising for Memorial Sloan Kettering in 2014 for a different event supporting the same cause, Cycle for Survival. One of our closest friend’s nephews, Luke, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma at the age of three. In addition to Luke, one of my wife’s friends from residency has a son Max who was diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma also at the age of 3. Because of their treatments at Memorial Sloan Kettering, both Max and Luke have survived these deadly cancers for much…

Author:  Mike Creamer

Mike Creamer is a competitive indoor rower, experienced Decathlon coach, and mastermind behind an 8-week training plan to get you ready for a personal best 500m on the erg. Check out what he has to say regarding technique and training strategies.
 
You've been benching and dipping, doing your pull-ups and wind sprints, but have you been rowing? With less than 2 months to go until D-day, it's not too soon to start training for the 500m row.
 
Training on the row machine and competing in a 500m race are two very different things. To…

Market:  New York

Athlete:  Travis Melvin (Hudson Advisors)

Through the encouragement of my ex-coworker Mauricio Velasco, I first competed in The Decathlon in 2015 representing Wells Fargo Securities. I had no idea what the competition was, but his good friend Collin Zych happened to be a self-made Decathlon legend.  Since he had an authentic, first-hand connection my interest was piqued.

Admittedly the entry fee was intimidating, but as I learned more about the competition and community I was intrigued by the idea of philanthropy being physically competitive.   I soon learned of The Decathlon community’s diverse…