PM360 recently spoke to Mark Miller, Director of Marketing, Channel Strategy at Allergan, and a 2013 Trailblazer’s Brand Champion winner, about how sports help him stay fit and perform his best.
PM360: Mark, tell us about your passion for sports?
Miller: The most consistent activity throughout my life has been fitness. It started at around 10 or 11 years old with baseball and on into high school where I was a three-sport athlete (baseball, basketball and football). My passion for sports and fitness led me to West Point and ultimately, the United States Army where I served as an infantry officer in the First Infantry Division.
What makes you passionate about those sports?
Being a positive role model for my kids and representing my extended family well. Over the years I’ve realized I am just at my best when I stay fit. I have more energy as an employee and parent when I feel good and look my best. Age makes recovery more difficult, but my intensity level can be the same as 20 years ago.
How has your involvement in sports helped you personally?
For me, fitness has been the foundation for everything both personally and professionally. Over the past 30 years, my understanding of personalized workouts and diet has grown significantly. I grew up in Ohio so I know how difficult it can be to stay active during the winter months. But for 20 years now, I have lived in a Southern California climate that provides 300 plus days of beautiful weather to participate in almost any activity daily.
How has your involvement evolved over the years?
I have been blessed with a metabolism that responds well to physical activity so I honor that by staying fit. I am happy my son is passionate about baseball and my daughter with dance and hope a little of my fitness obsessions have influenced them in a healthy way. I was never a serious runner or cyclist but decided when my kids were young to compete in a triathlon. One sprint triathlon turned into 10 marathons and eventually I completed three full Ironman Triathlon races (Ironman WI, Ironman Coeur D’alene, Ironman AZ).
That’s amazing. Were you inspired by someone to get involved with sports?
My initial inspiration was surviving as the middle son in a family with three, highly competitive boys. My older brother, Todd, set a great example as a kid and also as an Army veteran of over 22 years. My younger brother, Craig, may be the best athlete in the family.
That’s great how the love of sports runs in your family. What else do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Music has been my other passion since a very young age. I play both guitar and piano and really enjoy sharing great classic folk and rock music with my teenagers, Preston and Mikaela.
Are there any other interests you would like to pursue at some point?
My 16-year-old daughter, Mikaela, volunteers at The Shea Center in San Juan Capistrano, California. The Shea Center is a “therapeutic riding” rehabilitation center for riders with impairments affecting muscles, bones and nerves. The center uses the input of the horse, activities on the horse and positioning on the horse, to improve strength, balance and coordination for kids and adults. The center is one of the most inspiring places I have ever visited and I hope I can spend more time there.
