Brent Darden

Partner / General Manager

• Honored by International Health, Racquet and Sports Club Association as their inaugural “General Manager of the Year”.
• Received thirteen “Nova 7 Awards” from Fitness Management Magazine for innovations in facility design, marketing, customer service, exercise programming, and overall management.
• Formerly managed the wellness programs of numerous corporations including: Texas Instruments, Nortel Networks, Perot Systems, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Page Net. Recognized by the National Employee Service and Recreational Association for “Best Employee Wellness Program”.
• Continues to provide consulting services within the health/fitness/spa industry. Clients have included; Duke Center for Living, Marriott Resorts, Quaker State, Salvation Army, Christian Broadcast Network, Dr. Pepper, Lucent Technology, Vero Beach Resort, and the United States Navy / Marine Corp. Has extensive experience with concept, design, programming, and operations.
• Volunteered as Executive Director of Shape Up Texas!, a not-for-profit organization committed to improving the health and well being of all Texans.
• Served as Vice President of Cooper Aerobics Enterprises, overseeing the Cooper Fitness Center, Cooper Spa, Ventures Consulting, and Cooper Wellness Program.
• Has been involved in the health/fitness industry for over 25 years in a wide variety of settings including private and church based programs.
• Current Member of Certification Governing Board - Cooper Institute for Research.
• Founding Board Member of the Texas Health, Racquet and Sports Club Association.
• An accomplished author, he is a faculty writer of Club Success Magazine, and has been a major contributor of content for Winning Habits.com, American College of Sports Medicine Resource Manual, IHRSA’s periodicals “Why Members Stay” and “Why Members Quit”, and the U.S. Navy / Marine Corp.-Wellness Center Implementation Guide.
• Voted “Top Convention Speaker” by IHRSA and the Medical Fitness Association, he is a requested industry speaker and has been interviewed by Good Morning America, Good Day Dallas, and numerous network newscast and talk shows.
• Enjoys a personal passion for fitness that has included the “White Rock Marathon”, “Hotter Than Hell 100”, competitive sports, backpacking, adventure racing, and Discovery Channels’ “Eco – Challenge: British Columbia”.
• Native of Dallas with M.S. degree from Baylor University. Married for 24 years to Melanie with teenage sons Chase and Cody.

Post-Workout

Interesting Fact: Competed in Discovery Channels' International Eco-Challenge Bristish Columbia
Nickname: None.  Middle name is Justice
Favorite Movies: Bryan's Song, James Bond series, The Patriot, The Replacements, Rush Hour III, Braveheart, Remember the Titans, Gladiator, Mission  Impossible III
Favorite TV Shows: Sports Center, Firday Night Lights, Prison Break, CSI, 24
Music Preferences: Country
Most Recent Books Read: Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott, Small Giants by Bo Burlingham, Secret Service by John R. DiJulius III, Differentiate or Die by Jack Trout, The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive by Patrick Lencioni, The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell, Brands Formation by Chuck Mefford, and Setting the Table by Danny Meyer
Worst Habit: Diet Coke addiction
Pet Peeve: Bad customer service, lateness, and people not doing what they say they are going to do
Workout Preference: Strength training and a variety of cardio
Hobbies/Interets: Building/making "things", home improvement, exercise, water sports, adventure racing
One Thing People Notice About Me: I'm either wearning cowboy boots or tennis shoes.
One Funny Thing People Say About Me: "He's the straight guy with the queer eye"
It Surprises People to Find Out: that I make unique furniture and write poetry