Team USANA: A Class Act

I am so lucky to be able to work with so many great athletes within the USANA family, and they are really showing what they are made of at these Games.

Thursday I had the chance to meet with a “retired” athlete and had a marvelous experience. Not only has he been a world champion in two different sports, but he also continues to be a force in speedskating. Yet he is one of the most genuine people you will ever meet.

I hope you had a chance to hear him on Jennifer Azzi’s blog when she attended the practice at the Long Track oval. In the middle of a hectic schedule with his own responsibilities at these Games, he made time to visit with Jennifer one day and took me on a tour of the athlete village the next.

Of course I’m talking about Derek Parra.

I have to admit that the village was interesting and I did learn some secrets that I’m not allowed to share. But what really impressed me was the feeling I got when I was with Derek.

Throughout our visit he made me feel like I was doing him a favor by stopping by to visit. As he shared his impressions of the current facility and expounded on the other villages he had occupied in previous years, he made sure that I was seeing what I was interested in.

During our time he introduced me to everyone that came by and it was obvious that they all knew him and were glad to see him. He spoke with each one like this was the most important thing he needed to do at that moment. He gladly took pictures with them and spoke highly about their contribution to the success of the team and Games.

Near the end of our time together a simple incident occurred that showed the standard to which Derek holds himself and which he expects everyone else will meet, because it’s the right thing to do. He was always polite, smiling and generous. And even with a deadline to meet I never saw him glance at his watch. In fact he invited me to the “athletes” private Olympic store to help me find a particular gift for my wife.

None of this came as a surprise to me. Over the years I have watched Derek charm large audiences and give complete attention to a single admirer. He is magic when he speaks to an audience of elementary school students and he does it frequently. He is much more willing to ask about your accomplishments than to share his own. His young daughter is always on his mind and he always asks about others families. He is always willing to talk about where he came from and to encourage others to set their goals high.

I’m proud to know Derek Parra. You can be proud that he is a part of the USANA family. He is a class act. In fact, he is in a class of his own. Sometimes you don’t even have to be competing to stand at the top of the podium.