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Meet Your Neighbor: Dr. Darian Parker
By Callie Thomas
They call him Dr. D. “D” for Darian, but more likely for his dedication and determination in becoming a positive influence toward the overall health and welfare of our community. The 89135 resident has made it his life’s mission to lead others down the path of health and well-being.
“I grew up in a very athletic household where my parents encouraged me to be physically active in sports and recreation,” says Dr. Parker. “I played sports throughout high school and received a track and field scholarship from James Madison University. I ran track for JMU for four years while majoring in Kinesiology.”
Kinesiology is the study and detailed understanding of how the human body works, moves and responds to mental messages–that the mind and body are inexplicitly linked and that one has a vital affect on the other. Darian graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology, obtained his Master’s Degree and eventually earned his P.h.D. in Sports Education Leadership here in Las Vegas at UNLV. “I never felt done with school so I decided, with the encouragement of my family and professors, to pursue my P.h.D.,” said Parker.
While on his educational journey, Darian worked as both a university/career college instructor and a personal trainer. In 2007 he decided to focus his energies on the personal training and fitness management side. He earned a position with WTS International (a spa, fitness activities consulting and management firm) as a personal trainer at Club Ridges, a private residential fitness facility located within the gates of The Ridges in Summerlin. After three years, Dr. Parker became the General Manager of Club Ridges. He also is a Regional Account Specialist for WTS International. “My jobs with WTS allow me great flexibility to get out into the community and network with a variety of people inside and outside my industry,” Darian said. Through those relationships he realized the need to better the community and developed a program for advocacy and the continuing education of local health and fitness professionals. He founded a nonprofit, community organization called Connect to Fitness. The group offers helpful resources including job postings, seminars and networking events. “I chose to create Connect to Fitness because I felt there was and is a need for fitness professionals to come together to help each other become more successful. I wanted to create something where we could all give back to each other, which in turn created a tremendous opportunity to give back to the community at large.”
Since its inception a year and a half ago, the group has seen enormous growth and great success in landing jobs and opportunities for hundreds of locals interested in health and wellness. Today, Dr. D manages the needs of hundreds of members, guiding them, providing networking opportunities and job placement. In addition, he continues to serve his peers and the industry by circulating health tips and advice through his regular email blasts, website and social media networks. “So many people have seen their lives change because they now have steady employment. I love it when Connect to Fitness members contact me and tell me how the organization has given them so many new outlets for work, education and volunteering.”
Through the group, Dr. Parker has had the opportunity to work with charitable organizations including Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and Relay for Life. He serves as a fundraiser and participant in the yearly breast cancer walk and enjoys setting up and cleaning up as well as participating in the Relay for Life event. “Being married to my wonderful wife Michelle has also been influential and a changing moment in my life because it let me know that I needed to think beyond myself and be more aware of giving back; not only on a large scale, but on a smaller scale every day. It’s how you treat others that matters. If you are building giving relationships versus taking relationships then you are truly thinking beyond yourself.”
I finally got to see the face/founder behind Connect to Fitness. I enjoyed reading about Dr. D and thank him for such a great network. Keeps me in touch, current, but most importantly enjoying my role as a fitness instructor.
I hope Connect to Fitness will serve as an encouragement/attract the young people to join the fitness field. Notice that we seem to be experiencing a shortage of instructors at the moment.
At the moment I have three young students in my early yoga class graduating as physical therapist in 2012. This truly makes my day.
Wished I started in high school, but it’s never to late.
thank you