FITNESS PROFILE
The great outdoors keeps him buff

By Paula Rath
Advertiser Staff Writer

Honolulu firefighter Keith Daniel recently won the First Hawaiian Bank "Yes! Climb" that pitted the Honolulu Fire Department against the Honolulu Police Department. He ran up 30 stories — approximately 700 stairs. But that's just one small part of his lifetime commitment to fitness.

Firefighter Keith Daniel says Hawai'i's natural environment, more than anything else, motivates him to keep himself in excellent shape. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

Age: 36.

Profession: Firefighter.

Height: 5-feet-9.

Weight: 160 pounds.

Workout habits: I have always been active and I have learned that the most important thing for me is to enjoy my workouts. So variety is the key. I like to mix it up by doing some sort of combination of workouts throughout each week. I primarily run trails or mountain bike but I will also hit the water for some swimming or free diving too. And I always leave some time open to do whatever spontaneously comes up.

When and why I started working out: During my early childhood, I developed an interest in sports and I have been "playing" ever since. As an adult I incorporated more of a fitness aspect to it, but ultimately it's about having fun.

My good foods/bad foods: I cannot get enough fresh fish, especially 'ahi. Ice cream, however, always seems to be around — and I definitely splurge.

My biggest motivator: Hawai'i. Being outside and enjoying all that our island paradise has to offer is absolutely incredible.

My biggest roadblock to fitness: Discipline. It comes and goes, and I wish I could just hang on to it more consistently.

My next challenge: The Jamba Juice Mountain Man at Kualoa Ranch. It will involve a 600-yard swim, 20K mountain bike ride and 5K trail run. It's a qualifier for the Xterra World Championship on Maui.

What saves my sanity: Free diving. Our ocean environment is truly an amazing world, and it is such a joy to spend time in it.