Foundation still makes an IMPACT
By Ashley Shah
Todd Durkin – a Local business owner, Scripps Ranch resident and the man who seemingly does it all – has been making an impact for years locally and nationally.
He founded the Durkin IMPACT Foundation in 2012 and recently announced the foundation’s 2021 scholarship winners.
“I remember sitting in my living room and watching on TV my hometown – Brick, New Jersey – get absolutely destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. I couldn’t get into contact with any of my family. I felt so helpless,” Durkin said.
At the time, Durkin had a relatively large following on social media as he had just published his first book in 2010 called “The IMPACT! Body Plan.” He had also been a professional trainer to many National Football League players and worked with the San Diego Chargers team as a sports massage therapist for a year.
“I called up an attorney I knew and I told him we needed to start the foundation – now. There had to be a way to help people who were struggling as a result of the hurricane in Brick,” Durkin said.
He was able to organize an online summit over a week with 25 presenters, and five presentations each day with the topics ranging from fitness to nutrition. He was able to raise $75,000 for those affected by Hurricane Sandy.
“That time was difficult for me. I knew then that this would be something we would do annually to give back to the community and those in need,” Durkin said.
Nine years later, and the foundation has grown. Not only does the foundation give to those in need, but it awards scholarships to high school seniors from Scripps Ranch High School (SRHS), Brick Township High School (BTHS) and a few other schools chosen at random each year.
“We look for students who have shown athletic excellence, academic excellence, high character and community service work,” Durkin said.
This year, 12 scholarships were awarded. More than $14,000 was distributed in total this year for the scholarships. Each scholarship ranges from $500 to $1,500.
Seven students from SRHS were awarded scholarships: Giancarlo da Silva who will attend Santa Clara University; Sydney Griffin who will attend the University of California, Davis; Delphine Mauer who will attend Western Washington University; Leiden Huber who will attend the University of Idaho; Nicholas Burns who will attend the University of Arizona; Rocco Granucci who will attend Willamette University; and Allison Franks who will attend San Diego State University.
One student from BTHS was awarded a scholarship: Jenna Kleisser who will be attending Lebanon Valley College.
Four students from other high schools were awarded scholarships: Ross Nalbadia who will be attending the University of California, Los Angeles; Alexis Osborn who will be attending Rowan University; Giana Spilotro who will attend the University of Iowa; and Brynn Bock who will attend Alvernia University.
Over the past nine years, more than $250,000 has been awarded in scholarships; and $40,000 has been awarded to SRHS students.
Durkin has written three books: “The IMPACT! Body Plan,” “The WOW Book” and “Get Your Mind Right: 10 Keys to Unlock Your Potential and Ignite Your Success.”
“My dad taught me how to write and I share that part of my story in my books. When I was in college, my dad would write me a handwritten letter every single day without fail,” Durkin said.
Durkin is the owner and founder of Fitness Quest 10 gym in Scripps Ranch, which he founded in January of 2000. Fitness Quest 10 has been called one of “America’s 10 Best Gyms” seven times by Men’s Health.
Durkin also does motivational speaking, and has his own podcast called “The Todd Durkin Impact Show,” which airs twice a week and can be streamed on platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music. He was featured in 2016 on NBC’s prime time show “Strong.”
Alongside his podcast, Durkin also holds retreats called Live Max Impact retreats to teach other business owners how to expand and grow their companies. The next retreat will be from July 15 to 17. Registration can be done through todddurkin.com.
Durkin has been named Professional Trainer of the Year by IDEA Health and Fitness, and American Council on Exercise (ACE). He is a four-time Top 100 Most Influential Person in Health and Fitness. He was awarded the Jack LaLanne Award in 2017. In 2018, he was named International Presenter of the Year from Canfitpro, representing legacy and impact in the fitness industry.
Through all that he has achieved, he still strives to make more of an impact in the world.
“I try to be a lighthouse in a world full of darkness,” Durkin said.