I’m (obviously) a blogger. And like so many other bloggers out there, I am in a constant state of searching for the perfect blog theme (or template). If you’ve hung around here any time at all, you will already know that I change my templates…often. And once upon a time (towards the beginning of my blogging career) I sported a StudioPress theme. “Lifestyle” to be exact. StudioPress is very popular with bloggers and you can see their beautiful WordPress themes throughout the blogosphere.
The CEO of StudioPress is Brian Gardner.
He’s somewhat of a celebrity to me. I know, I’m a complete nerd. But he’s smart and a creative web designer. He’s also a 3 Day for the Cure® walker. I was very fortunate that he took time out of his busy day to let me ask him some questions about walking in The 3 Day.
This is our interview:
Please tell my readers a little about you!
My name is Brian Gardner, and I’m a hopeless Starbucks addict and internet consultant living in the suburbs of Chicago. I am happily married and have 6 year old son names Zach. I am the CEO of a web design company called StudioPress, and a huge Sarah McLachlan fan.
Why did you get involved with the Susan G. Komen 3-day for the Cure® walk?
10 years ago I attended the Closing Ceremony for what was then called the Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day – my wife and I had been dating for a few weeks, and I wanted to surprise her with some roses. While I was there, I was touched by the emotions of the ceremony, and was intrigued by the commitment that I saw. The following year – I walked, and have been walking ever since.
How many times have you walked?
A few weeks ago I completely my 9th walk – all of which have been great.
What made you want to do it again?
Part of it is the physical challenge – part of it is being able to spend time with my wife Shelly – and the majority of it is so fundraise money to help fight breast cancer and save lives.
I know for the 2009 walk you raised over $35,000! How did you do that?
Yes, in 2009, I raised just over $35,000 – I run a company which sells website templates, and I ran a special that for anyone who donated $150, they received unlimited use of these templates. The current cost of that package is $249.95, so users received a discount, and I knew the money was going towards a great cause!
What is the best tip you can give someone with regards to packing their bag? Any must have/don’t forget items or brilliant advice?
Plastic bags. Regardless of the weather forecast, pack everything into a bag. Whether it be clothes, toiletries, food. Once the event begins, the gear trucks unload the bags at camp, and if it rains, your stuff will be wet – and I know from personal experience how challenging the walk can be with wet stuff.
What is your best advice to rookie walkers (like me!) to prepare for the long 60 mile walk?
Feet care – my wife has always been a chronically susceptible to getting blisters. Training walks will help identify where hot spots might occur, in which case you can put blister-preventing band-aids in those locations. It’s one thing to walk 60 miles with a wet pair of shorts, but another to walk 60 miles with a blister. Other than that, it’s assumed that you eat, drink and pee – all of which are vital to a successful walk.
I have to say a huge THANK YOU to Brian for humoring me with this interview. It was my first one. I wish I could have thought of some amazingly witty and entertaining questions for him. I’m so amazed at anyone who walks in the walk even one time…much less 9 times. I hope that I can be so successful and I hope that anyone who is getting ready to walk finds some inspiration in Brian.
Welcome to OhRheally?, My name is Rhea and I share stories of life raising 3 sons, my experiences as a (recently retired) 
I used to have a Studio Press theme too! 9 walks is something to be proud of (heck, 1 walk is something to be proud of) and raising that much cash is just amazing!
I had Lifestyle on my site for awhile too. Also bought the new family tree for a project with my sister. I can say Brian was amazingly supportive and helpful with this totally nontech girl who had a bunch of questions. Congratulations on completing 9 walks what a huge feat!
Great interview, Rhea! Brian seems like a really cool guy! $35,000! That’s huge! How amazing and inspirational.
I think I had lifestyle too (who hasn’t, right?). It really is an inspiration to see someone who has done walk after walk when one can be challenging.
It’s so inspiring that he has done 9 walks and contributed so much to the cause!
He sounds like such a great person and any friend of Starbucks is a friend of mine!
What a rad interview!!! Brian is a inspiration for walking and I heart Studio Press! Plus starbucks..yeah super addict here too!
I’m STILL sporting Lifestyle and LOVE it. And uhh, wow… smart, generous, HOT, and wears pink…. I think I am in love. LOL (hey, I am single, I can say this stuff…. you know you all THOUGHT it!! hahahaa) **waving to his wife – YOU GO GIRL!!**
Ah man!! I wish I would have known Brian was there!! We met at WordCamp! He’s cool! Great tips, too! Definitely plastic bags, extra socks in your walking bag (inside a plastic bag) and bug spray!!
Awesome, I love that you found a cause and stuck to it. I just confinced my son to buy a bright pink shirt from high school where the proceeds went to breast cancer. He was proud and boasted to his friends and told them they needed to go get one too.
BTW, I rock Studiopress and enjoy the challenge of making my own child themes.
Woah, i had no idea that brian was such a hottie!!!
trisha
momdot.com
LMBO, Trisha!
How nice of him to grant you an interview! You did a great job, Rhea! I do not have a WP blog (yet) but certainly have heard of Brain Gardner. I think it inspiring that he has done this so long and is committed. You are doing great, and you should be proud of how far you have come yourself!
Hey Rhea (and ladies)… thanks so much for giving me the opportunity to do the interview – and I’ve enjoyed reading the comments so far. Sometimes I don’t realize just how many people use(d) Lifestyle on their site… good thing I redesigned it with a number of other “pastel” color schemes!
If you want t read a bit more about my involvement in the 3-Day For the Cure, you can read this post which I wrote shortly before the walk:
http://www.briangardner.com/real-men-wear-pink.htm
Thanks (again) Brian! It was great getting advice from you.
I always think it’s awesome to see guys take part in these walks too! Thanks for sharing the interview – and how impressive that he raised $35,000!!
That is awesome raising that much money and having done the walk 9 times! Very inspirational
Great interview! It was so nice to “meet” you Brian! Kudos for all of your hard work!
Great interview – how fantastic that he was able to use the sale of his templates to raise such a large amount for a good cause!
Awesome! I don’t think I could have done it- he is on my list of people that I would probably act like a fool around- lol- I am a dork too and I would be star struck! LOL
This is truly inspiring. I’m so glad that not only you, Rhea but Brian is so involved in this.
(PS. I’m an official Genesis Junkie)
Wow – that is very cool! I admire his dedication to this cause – it has impacted so many people!
It is admirable that he has walked so many times! What a great interview, too!