Brick’s Todd Durkin Gets STRONG

For many high school and college athletes the success they had on the field and court is really the highlight of their lives. Far too many put all their time and effort into throwing a football or shooting a basketball and never took the academic part of school very seriously. Once the cheering stopped for their athletic prowess realization set in that there was nothing else to look forward to.

I knew long ago that would not be the case with Todd Durkin, a gifted student-athlete at Brick Township High School who I took a special interest in while covering as a sportscaster in the late 1980s. He had a magnetic personality and was equally as comfortable when dealing with teen-age peers or those twice his age. I just knew that whatever path he chose would be the right one.

Today Durkin is one of the most visible and respected personal trainers, strength, speed and conditioning coaches in the country. He owns and operates a gym in San Diego which has been recognized as one of the best in America and his clients include Saints quarterback Drew Brees and a host of professional and Olympic athletes.

Durkin is a published author, has appeared in numerous TV shows (he will be in New York this week for the Dr. Oz Show) and has been featured in Sports Illustrated, Men’s Health and the Wall Street Journal. Tonight you can see him on the new NBC show “Strong” which premieres at 9 p.m. The reality competition show matches ten of America’s best trainers with women looking to fulfill their potential and Durkin admits it was nothing like he expected.

It’s a long way from Princeton Avenue but the 44-year old father of three told me this week that the values and lessons he learned playing sports for the Green Dragons and legendary coach Warren Wolf have translated well into the success he has had today.

You can read more on Durkin and listen to the full interview I did with him on wobm.com