September 15, 2010
Good evening DaVitaLand!
It is Wednesday night, and I am live from Hartford Connecticut.
I left you on Tuesday morning as I was flying to Milwaukee. I got to visit with an in-center hemo center, a PD clinic, and an HHD clinic, and a strong nephrology group. It was wonderful, and I came away with positive feelings and 3 issues that need to be followed up on because it seems we are not providing Service Excellence as we aspire to.
Then the 2 hour drive to Chicago, very productive with calls. Then some meetings in Chicago, followed by a business dinner, followed by calls and email until midnight.
Today, Wednesday, started with a 7:15 meeting and an 8:30 speech at the Taleo Conference. 800 Human Resource executives from around the nation wanted to hear more about your good work and our Village, that was pretty cool. I wish you all could have been there, you would have been proud. We shared our imperfections as well as our strengths, and people appreciated our intentionality and aspirations.
After the speech I zoomed back to my room and headed to the gym. 27 solid minutes on the bike, 34 push-ups, 100 crunches, 20×15 curls, and some stretches. Total of 40 minutes, solid but unimpressive. Then I zoomed back up to my room to shower again and get ready for 2 consecutive interviews with prospective DaVitans. Both of them are doing very well where they are, neither had been looking for a job, but our search firm persuaded them both to check us out and now they are both quite interested. Once again, your positive reputation carried the day! They both said they had never seen a company with quite the same spirit. Not everywhere, of course, but a lot more pervasive and energetic than anything they had seen. And they have both been around.
My flight to Hartford was filled with email, they are piling up again, heavens to Betsy! Since arriving at my hotel I have been on the phone and computer, including eating my room service dinner while on conference calls. This email is the last I will send, it is once again midnight.
This has been a challenging week. Big & tough decisions, lots of work hours, lots of plane travel. My little exercise sessions keep me sane, and healthier. Thanks for your support! I have to get to bed soon if I am to have any hope for getting up and hitting the gym tomorrow. I will get up with the other 1000+ of you I hope!
Tomorrow night on the plane home I hope to respond to some of your notes – I will do my best. I was honored to represent you at that conference today. This boy was raised to work, and he is working for you.
Take Care,
KT
(Fear knocked at the Door. Faith answered. No one was there.)
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Georgia Blanchard said,
September 16, 2010 @ 5:14 am
KT you just make me tired reading your emails. lol You are just so busy and such a postive person as well. You truly are a great inspiration to us.
I definetly was up this morning, 65 minutes on the elliptical. I started strength training this week. Met with a trainer this past Monday. Tommorrow with be a longer day with the elliptical and weights.
Good luck on the upcoming Tour Davita. I will definetly be at the next one.
Georgia
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Jody Fix said,
September 16, 2010 @ 8:30 am
As I near the finish (right now I am middle of Arizona) I find myself trying to figure out a way to keep motivated. This was a fun and really easy task, but I almost regret getting here so fast. (What is next?)
I know having a YMCA right across the parking lot is the only reason I am doing as much as I am.
KT is amazing!! He is up and about driving, speaking, running to the airport, giving a speech, driving more and emails galore!!!
You are to be commended. Guess the calories have to try to catch you before they can latch on and take root.
Keep up the good work, but try to take some quiet (no computer, no cell time) just KT time!!
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Georgia Blanchard said,
September 16, 2010 @ 8:37 am
Hi Jody, The Y that I go to is right across the street for me as well. It is easier since it is so close. I too would not have done so much had it not been for that. I am not as far as you. I am a little more than half way through NM.
I have to agree with you about KT. He is amazing. I don’t think I could ever keep up the kind of schedule that he has. I have enjoyed his blogs though. It has been interesting and eye opening to see a glimpse of what he does for our wonderful village. I had no idea. We have a great Mayor. 🙂
Georgia
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Dawn Kishbaugh said,
September 16, 2010 @ 8:46 am
Good luck, KT & the rest of the DaVita crew! I have definitely been inspired to do more since I started the Get Fit On Route 66/Match the Mayor. KT, I don’t know how you do all you do, but like you, I feel much better for the exercise – even when it is a short workout. Have fun everyone and make it a GREAT day!
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Stacey Hutsler said,
September 16, 2010 @ 1:07 pm
I would have to say that I am impressed with all the efforts everyone is making. I have had a very challenging week as I am absolutely exhausted and my body wants sleep, my mind wants the gym so I am fighting with myself. I will succeed!
Jody, I think it is wonderful that you are trucking along route 66, but there is so much more…it is not the end, but just the beginning of many journeys that you can and will take. Just think of it this way. You have almost traveled across the country with what you have done…next log your own minutes and miles and see how long it takes you to get to a place you have always wanted to visit or just travel all the way around the world. If you need someone to “travel” with you, I am always up for a challenge!
Great workouts and great effort everyone…keep it up! 🙂
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Diane J said,
September 16, 2010 @ 1:08 pm
Yes, KT’s schedule makes me want to nap! I will have to keep it in mind when I don’t think I have time for exercise. Yes-he is an inspriation to the rest of us. Great to be a part of the Village!
I’ve got the exercise down pretty well, just have to watch the eating and that old sweet tooth monster. I hear my home made chocolate chip cookies call to me in the middle of the night-guess I’ll have to wear ear plugs!
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Melanie Romania said,
September 16, 2010 @ 1:21 pm
KT, it is very inspiring to see how you fill your day and yet still find time for exercise. This is the first time I joined Match the Mayor and it is truly motivating. I have been teaching classes at the Y for years and that was my 1 guaranteed night to work out but this has completely motivated me to find time in my schedule to do something every day. I love tracking my progress on Route 66 and “touring the country.” Being a single mom it is sometimes tough with kids schedules but I have been getting up early each day and either going for a run/walk and I am feeling great. My hats off to you as you journey across the country too (literally). As of yesterday I made it to Petrified Forest National Park, AZ, earned 14 road signs and logged in 990 exercise minutes. Thanks for your inspiration and leadership.
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Shannon said,
September 16, 2010 @ 2:10 pm
KT…you’re a cool dude! ‘Nuff said!
thanks for all you do…
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Toni Stalker said,
September 16, 2010 @ 4:53 pm
Hi everyone who has joined this year in addition to the other years. I too get tired reading your hectic schedule Mr. Mayor. There are times myself when I think, okay I’ve worked 11-12 hours, commuted for two hours and I still need to run, oh lord! But you are an inspiration which has kept me going and I do not dare miss my scheduled exercise for the day. Speaking of I am on my way now to meet with my running group.
See you and the rest of the Tour Davitans on Saturday; Spirit of the Ride!
Take care,
Toni Stalker
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margie said,
September 17, 2010 @ 4:29 am
Thanks for being so inspiring!!! Not everyone joins the match or accomplishes what they want every year, but thanks for calling us out on it. You are so positive and exempify how we can have a busy work, home and FITNESS life and still fit it all in. Sept started low on my own fitness journey I’ve been on since May and now the honeymoon was over. Joining the Match the Mayor gave me that added insentive and I weighed in this week -4.4# for a total of 31.8# wow I’m defiitely on route 66!!!! Thanks again, it’s great to work for a company that truely cares for its team and tries to raise them to the full potential they can be. Have a great journey and enjoy the ride.
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Brady Melvin said,
September 17, 2010 @ 6:31 am
hey KT, great to hear and see how you are doing and to hear from you and all my fellow divitians. I have been on a diet and exercise plan since early this year and it has been going good. currently I am about half way across NM and i have found myself doing a little more every day, going those few extra minutes each time to keep up with those who are setting the pace. thanks to all for the motivation.
Best wishes to all
Brady Melvin RN
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Natylee Glover said,
September 17, 2010 @ 7:21 am
I am doing great with the exercising now if I could just get the diet down.
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Pamela Brule said,
September 17, 2010 @ 7:54 am
Hi, all –
KT – what dedication to fitness, with your meeting/travel schedule!
I’ve been to the gym 3x this week, doing a variety of cardio, core, and strength training.
Today after work I’m driving 6 hours north with my family to assist my 3 siblings and their families in moving my parents (age 72 and 70) off the farm and into a much smaller little house with a tiny yard in the small northwestern MN village of Argyle. Hopefully moving household goods associated with a 53-year marriage counts as a workout tomorrow!
I’m a tad verklempt – it’s the end of an era as we know it. The farm house, yard, and acreage will remain in the family, but it just won’t be the same after mom & dad move to town.
On a brighter note – I got new jeans! And next week, I’ll be back at the gym right after work on Monday…
Have a great weekend, all
pamela brule
DaVita Clinical Research
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