Owner of Bto Performance Fitness Studio, Motivational Speaker, Owner of ” Be That One “fitness apparel, Professional Football Player ( Place Kicker ).
1999- Toronto Argonauts CFL
2000- Buffalo Bills NFL/ BC Lions CFL Grey Cup Champion
2001- Toronto Argonauts
2002- 1st round second pick in the dispersal draft to Ottawa Renegades
2003- Montreal Alouettes / Toronto Argonauts
2004- Toronto Argonauts Grey Cup Champions
2009- Winnipeg Bluebombers
I have my own fundraiser called ” Give The Boot To ” then I pick a cause. My first year was Give The Boot To Cystinosis. 2nd year Give The Boot To Parkinson’s. 3rd year Give The Boot To Mental Health. 4th year Give The Boot To PTSD. We have raised just over $125,000 from our 4 events.
I received the Canada 150 Award for community service which was such an honour.
I have received the key to the City Of Thorold my home town. I am on the wall of fame at my high school Denis Morris.
I played soccer for 21 years including 3 years as captain of my regional soccer team, part of the Ontario Soccer Team and Canadian National Soccer Team.
Won numerous Readers Choice Awards for BEST FITNESS CLUB.
BEST PERSONAL TRAINER
BEST FITNESS CLUB TO TRAIN AT
BEST FITNESS INSTRUCTOR
Won Regional awards for BEST FITNESS CLUB, BEST PERSONAL TRAINER.
Nominated for Entrepreneur Of The Year Award 2019.
Age:
51 years old
Location:
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Occupation:
Personal Trainer / Motivational Speaker.
Is weight loss more of a fitness issue or a health issue in your opinion and why?
I believe weight loss is more of a health issue than a fitness issue. I believe more now than ever especially after the last 18 months of dealing with Covid 19 and being lockdown in their homes during this Pandemic. People have been relegated to a sedentary lifestyle and feeling depressed not only not being able to leave their homes but also their self-esteem on how they look and feel affecting both their physical and mental health.
If you have 100 tokens in total and you could apply them to the following categories, how many would you apply to each?
- Fitness level: 50
- Health level: 50
I believe these are both equally important.
Thoughts on HIIT, Powerlifting, TRX, Yoga, bodybuilding, others?
I absolutely love power training I’ve been power training myself from the age of 17 years of age. I’ve used both HIIT training and power training as a professional athlete in both the Canadian Football League and the NFL. Increasing my strength and power and explosiveness as a placekicker.
TRX Suspension training I believe is easily one of the greatest tools on the market because of how versatile this piece of equipment is for all levels from a beginner with no knowledge of training to a professional athlete. I used TRX Suspension training in all my in-season training as a professional football player. Another incredible piece of equipment easily hands down for me is the Equalizer Bars this piece of equipment has taken my fitness studio to the next level used from the most basic level client to the most advanced.
Share your unique training/coaching methods?
My unique training or coaching method is actually quite simple to make fitness fun. Giving everyone the ultimate experience. Put on a show each and every class. I believe a personal trainer is an entertainer and a motivator giving everyone an amazing fitness experience.
Trainer philosophy:
My training philosophy I believe that within a 60-minute class that strength, cardio and core should be included. My style is 1 minute of strength 1 minute of cardio 1 minute of abs that’s around for me repeating it twice. I’ve gotten amazing results with my clients with this style of training. Full body training.
Training Plan:
For my clients, I try my best to get everyone to commit to me 3 classes a week minimum with a couple of days active outside my studio. For optimal training results, I offer an unlimited training package allowing them to come to class as many days as possible.
Supplements Plan:
As far as supplements go I’m not qualified in this field but with that said I do suggest a protein supplement for post-training workouts.
What separates Status from other fitness magazines?
I truly believe what separates Status from other fitness magazines is how motivating this magazine is. It’s not just a magazine showing perfect bodies but a magazine that is uplifting and inspiring. The fact that I am given this amazing opportunity to inspire people that even after a heart attack that I almost died from I’m still here and because of the strength of my heart all due to my fitness level I am here to share my story. This is what makes this magazine so special. You just don’t see that in other magazines.
Describe your coaches and the impact they have on you?
I have had many coaches over my years as an athlete and the impact they have made on my life are priceless. They’ve taught me to never give up. To go out of your comfort zone that nobody successful has done things within their comfort zones. They have taught me how to win and lose gracefully. They have taught me to be a professional on and off the field. They have taught me the importance of offseason training. They have taught me discipline. Most of all they have taught me how to be humble and to give back to your community while you are playing and when you have retired from the game you play.
If you could ask Status Fitness Magazine Editor in Chief Rodney Jang any industry question, what would that be?
What changes do you see in the fitness industry coming within the next 5 years?
Status Fitness Magazine runs model searches across North America including the largest one at the Arnold Classic for the Status cover. As part of the Status family, you will receive a special participation invite. How excited are you for this opportunity?
Omg, this opportunity truly is so amazing you truly have no idea how incredible this is to me. May 20th 2020, I had a heart attack that almost killed me called ” the widowmaker “. To even have been considered to be part of this incredible magazine is just incredible and to be asked to participate is an honour and I’m truly grateful.
Future fitness goals and plans?
After having my heart attack, unfortunately, I’ve had a year of setbacks brutal side effects that have sidelined me from my own training. Now that my heart has structurally healed 100%, I am cleared to train again. My own future fitness goal is to come back in better shape than I was in prior to my heart attack. I have begun training with rubber tubing and TRX Suspension bands and soon will be hitting the weights again but as I always have preached to my clients you need to learn to walk before you can run.
Life goal?
My life goal is as it always has been I’ve been put on this earth to inspire and help as many people as possible and I believe in my heart that my path is through fitness and my motivational speaking and I wouldn’t change it for anything!!!
5 things people don’t know about you?
- I wear my heart on my sleeve.
- I cry watching sad movies.
- I have anxiety and PTSD.
- Throughout elementary school and high school, I took 0 on my public speaking assignments because I was bullied in grade 4 by my teacher with that said I now speak in front of thousands for my motivational speaking engagements.
- I hate looking at myself in the mirror
5 lessons you have learned?
- I have learned perception is everything.
- Always be honest and truthful.
- Nothing beats hard work.
- Excuses produce 0 results.
- A dream is just a dream if you don’t work.
5 most important attributes you see in a person?
Integrity, Honesty, Hard Working, Team Player, Motivator.
If you could inspire one person, who would that be? And why?
A person who believes that a dream is just a dream and it only happens to someone special. I beat all the odds of becoming a professional football player with no college experience and became a pro at the age of 29 years old. I worked in a grocery store while chasing my dreams. So yes it’s possible anyone can do it. That’s the person I want to inspire!
What sports do you like most/ or play when you have free time?
Hands down football are my favourite all-time sport I achieved the impossible became a professional football player with no college experience. Soccer my second favourite represented my country!
Who inspires you? And why?
Before my dad died 6 months ago, he was my inspiration having suffered from Parkinson’s for over 20 years. I watched my dad running, biking, working out right up into his final days as a real-life superhero who inspired so many. I miss him with all my heart but I know he is proud of me.
Your transformation story:
My transformation story has just begun as my heart attack was May 20th 2020 I was 220 pounds of muscle and I was a machine. I lost 21 pounds of muscle over the last year recovering and healing from my heart attack. My goal is to be more fit now in my 50’s than I was in my 20’s I will do it I’m determined!!!
Favourite quotes?
This actually is my own quote and is a story all in its self it changed my life forever which is why I trademarked ” Be That One “!
Connect with Dan Giancola: Website | IG | FB
Photos By: Phil Cheevers
