LEADER SERIES: MEET JASON MARSHALL
Jason is a multi-sport athlete, Fire Prevention Captain, husband, and dad. He has been dedicated to fitness from a young age and has had the opportunity to represent Canada at the Rugby World Cup and play professionally overseas in France and New Zealand. Upon retiring, Jason fell into a passion of rowing and the SkiErg – he has dedicated himself since to the hobby and holds five world records. Learn more about how Jason stays dedicated to his family, sports, fitness, and work, and how he maintains the structure in this life to feel balanced.
What does a typical day look like for Jason?
My days are usually jam-packed! They start very early so that I am able to fit in my 30-minute cardio workout before my son wakes up. After breakfast and dropping my son off at daycare, I head straight to the gym for my weights workout. I work for the City of Port Coquitlam Fire Department as a Fire Prevention Captain, which is a hybrid of an office job and fieldwork. My daily duties are never the same, so it keeps my job interesting. I love knowing that with my position, I have a positive effect on the people in my community by helping them through whatever problems they may face. At the end of my workday, I head home for dinner and to spend time with my wife and son. My nights are a lot more relaxed. My wife and I love a good TV series and an early bedtime, lol.
What do you do (mentally) that helps you stay clear and regimented towards achieving your goals?
Staying active and maintaining a healthy diet can be mentally exhausting at times, especially as I grow older. However, seeing results and achieving goals makes this lifestyle very addictive. Being able to envision the end result really helps me get through the tough days. One trick I've learned about goal-setting is to make realistic, smaller goals. Making multiple smaller goals gives me the opportunity to experience the joy of achievement on a more regular basis, which in turn fuels my motivation to keep going.
What advice do you give to your friends when they ask you how they should start making fitness a priority?
The advice I always give to anyone interested is to educate themselves about dieting. It's easily the most difficult part, but probably the easiest thing to change. You can crush cardio and weights, but if you're not able to get your diet under control, the results will never come. The biggest wake-up call for me when I was first experimenting with my diet was quantity and quality control. Learning how many calories I was consuming was a game-changer. I also tell them to enjoy the process. If it's not enjoyable, it's not sustainable. Results do not show up overnight; they take years. If you don't enjoy the process, it will be impossible to stay motivated.
Beyond staying active and focusing on property nutrition, what else is in your wellness toolbox?
Definitely my Audible subscription. I love listening to books, especially while I'm getting ready for bed and unwinding from a busy day. Spending time relaxing while learning about a new subject or listening to a good story is something I really enjoy doing. Currently listening to ‘Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind’. I also love spending time playing with my son. His laugh is infectious, and it brings joy to my heart to hear him giggle. I also love a good coffee date with my wife.
How do you prioritize your mental health?
I make sure to plan my day so I have some time to myself, which is usually very early in the morning. I love working out in silence, allowing me time to relax with only my thoughts. It gives me time to reflect and clear my mind of the daily stresses that most of us go through.
What’s next for Jason?
My wife and I are expecting twin boys this May, so life is going to get very hectic for a while. The biggest challenge will be time management and sleep, lol. I'm hoping to keep up with my workouts, but that will come secondary to keeping my 2-year-old happy, changing diapers, and feeding the twins. I wish I had six more hands! I'm going to be relying on the REYAL skincare kit to keep those dark circles away.
Where can we find you?
Instagram:
- @jasonalanmarshall (personal; mostly baby pictures)
- @nxt.lvl.athlete (fitness page)
What is your favourite REYAL product?
Layer 003 Super Day Moisturizer, I love a moisturizer that provides protection from UVA rays. I need all the help I can get to keep those wrinkles at bay.
