by Dawn Papandrea
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Gary is the founder and CEO of Curves International (Waco, TX). Perhaps you've heard of it? You know those women's fitness centers that seem to be popping up all over the place? Back in 2002 when Gary was working feverishly behind the scenes of the country's fastest growing franchise (there's over 7,000 of them in the United States today), he was also waking up at 5:30 every morning to go to class. You're probably asking yourself why?
"I think it was a matter of integrity," Gary explains. "I had written a book or two. I was counseling hundreds of women, then thousands, and as the founder of Curves, millions. I was self-taught and a prolific reader." What he wasn't however, was a college graduate.
After completing three years toward a pre-med degree in 1976, Gary took a break from the books when he acquired a failing fitness center in Houston, TX and revitalized it. Five years and six locations later, he never found the time to complete his studies. Thirty years later, he decided it was time.
Warming Up to Online Study
"I looked around at area colleges, but they had rigid class schedules. But the biggest thing of all was there wasn't the degree I needed," he explains. Being a health and nutrition counselor, the closest field of study available at the local schools was physical education.
That's when Gary decided to venture online to find Thomas Edison State College (Trenton, NJ). "They were accredited and had exactly the degree I wanted." Even better than the health and nutrition counseling major, explains Gary, the school awarded credit for life experience. "You complete a portfolio and a professor/counselor assesses your work," he says. He also took and passed CLEP exams to get him a little closer to completing his degree. "I had a variety of ways to demonstrate that I've acquired knowledge."
In 2003, Gary finally earned his degree and says he felt a difference within minutes.
"The day I finished, I was sitting in New York City in the office of Ladies Home Journal being interviewed by their fitness expert," he explains. "The first question she asked me was about my education. I was able to say that I had a degree in health and nutrition counseling. That was a great moment."
Since his graduation, Gary's books, 'Curves: Permanent Results Without Permanent Dieting' and 'Curves On the Go' have appeared on the New York Times' bestseller list, and Curves International continues to thrive. What's remained a constant, however, is Gary's commitment and belief in lifelong learning, to the point that he encourages his employees to pump up their education regimen, too.
"We pay for our employees to go [go school] and we have a $500 annual scholarship for franchisees."
In addition, Gary has underwritten an online certification and an associate degree program in health and wellness for Thomas Edison. "It's an extension of our teaching capacity through an accredited institution - a remarkable way to get credentials out to our franchisees and employees," says Gary.
Aerobics for the Mind
Earning his degree has helped Gary carry out his philosophy - the importance of a balanced life. "You really have to have a balanced life to live well. Besides good health - eating right and exercise, there's the mental aspect - constantly learning. And there's spiritual growth," he says. "A proper balance of these three elements is critical. It's certainly been the key to my being."
And, he adds, whether it's to lose that last 10 pounds or advance your career, you have to set goals for yourself in order to succeed. "I just flew my own jet around the world. That was a goal I set for myself when I was 12 years old. It took years of flight instruction and dedication."
Similarly to his high-flying adventures, Gary's educational goals also hit new heights when he was presented with an honorary Ph.D. from Thomas Edison. "You've got to invest in yourself if you're going to expect a return. Online education is an effective and efficient way to invest in yourself."
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