Q&A: What is Re.Structure?
Photo: Dominik Schroder
Welcome to the Re.Structure Project (RE.S). A place to share and discuss ideas related to the balance of health and corporate performance. My name is Trevor, and I am a creative director and graphic designer with nearly twenty years of experience in brand marketing. I'm also a drug-free bodybuilder and a life-long student of health, fitness, and nutrition. The RE.S Project is a way to bring my passions together in order to share positivity and motivation with fellow corporate athletes and those aspiring to become one. This project is something I have been working on for a while, and I am grateful to be sharing it.
This first article is a QA and will provide context about what RE.S is and where it may go from here. I'm curious to hear what people think of this project so please feel free to comment with questions and suggestions.
Q: What is R.ES, and where does the name come from?
RE.S stands for Re.Structure. In business, "restructure" is a phrase synonymous with change and challenge. Most people think of corporate downsizing and layoffs when you hear the word, which is scary stuff, I know first-hand. But since we are here for corporate performance and to excel at our job and in life, we can also shift the sentiment more positively. This is to say that "restructure" can also represent one's ability to adapt, evolve, and grow using the resources and circumstances available at that time. For example, when COVID forced businesses, offices, and schools to close, nearly everyone in the world restructured their lives to balance priorities. However, achieving and maintaining balance can be elusive. Picture someone walking on a tight-rope. That person never really gets to a point where they appear entirely relaxed and comfortable. They are in a constant state of postural adjustment to maintain balance. This analogy is no different from you or I making daily, weekly, or monthly adjustments to our routines to keep our own sense of balance while we handle work, and keep our health in check. We are continually restructuring ourselves and our environments–adapting, evolving, and growing using the resources and circumstances available to us.
Q: Why it Re.Structure spelled with a Re. and separate from the rest of the word?
The "Re" design element was inspired by the element Rhenium (Re), one of the periodic table's densest and most stable elements. I believe the modern worker must possess the ability to withstand and adapt to all conditions. Stability and persistence, despite adversity, are among the skills I intend to highlight in the Re.Structure Project.
Q: Why didn’t I share Re.Structure sooner? What took me so long to share this information?
(Vulnerability alert). Fear and self-doubt are fantastic villains in my story. Like many people, I tend to question the relevance of what I have to offer. A long time ago, I decided to keep my passion for health separate from my ambitions at work. This seemed like the safe and less complicated thing to do at the time. What I've recently come to realize is that upholding this separation of "church and state" is actually really exhausting and not an authentic representation of the person I truly am. Like many competitive folks out there, I am driven to win at work. However, I refuse to sacrifice my health, or my relationship with my family, in the pursuit of those victories. For me, balance is mandatory. For the past several months, I've been digging through my notes and revisiting the concepts that have assisted me in my pursuit of health/work equilibrium. Simply put, RE.S is a collection of health and corporate performance ideas formatted by a creative director who happens to be an athlete.
Q: Why am I doing this now?
It is 2021, the new year of all "new years." I imagine that I'm not the only one with higher than average hopes for what I want this year to become. 2020 was a lot to live through, and we have some collective healing to do as a nation and a world. During the dog-days of 2020, I began asking myself what I might be able to contribute to this massive healing effort. After polling a few close friends and family, they gave me the encouragement I needed to get past my self-doubt and take action.
Q: Why should someone follow the Re.Structure Project?
For nearly twenty years, I have worked for corporations, agencies, and clients. Believe me, I know what a 60+ hour work week feels like. Balancing our health with the relentless demand of the modern force is challenging. To avoid burnout in the office we need mental and physical stamina now more than ever before. In addition to my day job, I am also a drug-free bodybuilder and have competed in multiple shows, winning my pro-card in 2008. Combine this resume with my most important job of all, I am also a husband and dad. Yes, my plate is full, and balance is not always easy to come by. This is where RE.S comes from–the duality of living the corporate life while maintaining an athlete's routines. All the while ensuring that things most important in my life remain balanced or as close as possible.
Q: What can someone expect to find if they follow RE.S?
I'm starting with seven core themes in which content will be organized. Those themes are self-care, mindset, optimization, fitness, recovery, nutrition, and motivation. However, the overarching takeaway from RE.S will always be "positivity." Balancing our health with our work performance can be tough to manage, so expect RE.S to be a positive outlet full of relatable situations. The intended audience is broad. I hope to have a little something for everyone, whether you are a recent grad, seasoned vet, weekend warrior, or competitive athlete. An additional point I want to underscore is that RE.S will be simple, quick, and lightweight. No drawn out articles and complex concepts to wrap your head around. Just helpful ideas intended for corporate athletes or those aspiring to become one.
Q: What expectations do I have for RE.S? Where do I see it going in the future?
Right now, this is a passion project. Sure, I'd love for RE.S to gain a following, but that is not the goal nor measurement of success. My goal is to share, and my measure for success is to be helpful. RE.S exists to promote positivity and healthy habits for the modern worker. My vision is to see more corporate "employees" transition into corporate "athletes." My hope or mission is to produce a thought-provoking and beautifully designed series that promotes personal and professional wellbeing. With that, I surrender this project to the creative process, and I look forward to the journey!