The Quest For Greatness

Subject: Todd Durkin, MA
Company: Fitness Quest 10

The Business of Energy. I’ve had the opportunity to visit the Fitness Quest 10 facility on a number of occasions, and each time I do there is one thing that is ever present: energy. Before I had the chance to speak with owner Todd Durkin, 2004 IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year, I sat in the lobby of the new 5,000-square-foot addition to his facility and quietly observed the goings on.

Widely known for famous trainees such as New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and San Diego Chargers running back and 2006 NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson, Fitness Quest 10 is also home to a wide spectrum of fitness enthusiasts. There’s the young female athlete practicing plyometrics in the corner, a father and son combining sports drills and quality time, and the 50-something husband-and-wife team, smiling as their trainer tells jokes while warming them up on the green artificial football turf.

Durkin soon greets me with his trademark enthusiasm and tells me that in an hour’s time the entire gym will be overrun with 11- to 17-year-olds participating in a performance camp that he and some of his trainers host a few times a week. “You should see it,” he laughs. “It’s a carefully orchestrated mad house.”

“10 In—10 Out.” I follow Durkin to his office after a brief tour of his new digs, which house high-quality fitness equipment, spacious lockerrooms with infrared saunas, private massage rooms, a state-of-the-art audio/video system and much more. “These are going to go up on the walls soon,” he says, motioning toward several autographed sports jerseys encased in frames. “I’ve also got plans to fill this place with inspirational messages and sayings.”

I quickly learn that motivational statements are a cornerstone of Fitness Quest 10 and that one of Durkin’s favorites is “10 in—10 out.” “This is partly where the number ‘10’ in Fitness Quest 10 comes from,” he says. “We always tell our clients that they can’t expect to get a perfect 10 if they only give 7. So our motto, ‘10 in—10 out,’ means that if you want 100% success, you’ve got to give 100% effort.”

Ripping the Box Apart. “When I first opened Fitness Quest 10 in 2000 there weren’t any models for me to follow, so I had to create my own. I had to take chances and have faith that things would work out.” A former athlete, Durkin decided that a well-rounded program must comprise more than hourlong personal training programs. “You know that saying: ‘Think outside the box’?” he asks. “I decided to rip that box apart. I want to help people get into the best shape of their lives, and that means also paying attention to what’s going on in their personal and professional lives.” Despite its reputation for sports conditioning, Fitness Quest 10 also offers life and business coaching; business mastermind groups; teleseminars; massage and body work; Pilates; yoga; health retreats; and more. Durkin designed a variety of membership packages that he says are “specially formulated to maximize your opportunity to transform your life.” For example, those who purchase the Gold Membership package have access to yearly metabolic testing, a monthly success coaching teleseminar, a weekly program created by a strength and conditioning coach, unlimited facility use and more. “This is not just a workout,” he says. “It’s lifestyle enhancement.”

Sharing the Success. Durkin and the Fitness Quest 10 vision have come a long way in 7 years. “It all started as a one-man show and has grown into a successful business with about 30 world-class employees,” he says. “And I must say that none of this would be possible without those employees.” Despite a busy schedule that prevents him from spending as much time with team members as he’d like, Durkin acknowledges that he feels re-energized when he is around them. “This team is so special, and I don’t take that for granted,” he smiles. “The Fitness Quest 10 vision is clear when I see them.”

Ryan Halvorson is the associate editor for IDEA and a certified personal trainer at Excel Sport and Therapy in La Jolla, CA.