A father-son strength-training duo from Fernandina Beach is looking to take Florida by storm with a body-building “trifecta.”
Fred Danker has worked in Fernandina Beach as a personal trainer for nearly 30 years and competed in numerous body-building competitions. But for the last 13 years, Danker has only worked to train others to get competition ready.
After a break that lasted over a decade, this summer, he will do something he says is almost unheard of. At 51, he will come back for three back-to-back competitions, and he’s betting on himself to win.
“I like to call it a trifecta,” Danker said.
On July 19, Danker will compete in Orlando; on July 26, he will compete in Jacksonville; and to complete the trifecta, he will compete in the IFPB Pro League in Daytona on Sept. 28.
“It’s three different shows in a short period of time which for a competitor that’s really unheard of,” Danker said. “I’ve been competing for 30 years now and to do one show and to get ready for it is huge, but to try to do three in that short period of time … Along with being 51 years old, I am like, an NFL quarterback at 50-something, it just doesn’t happen.”
Danker said he plans to compete in the 50-and-over-class as well as the open class, any age can compete.
He said the term trifecta comes from betting on horse races or dog races.
“It was betting on three different things and trying to win that bet, so it’s a very hard bet — it’s probably a bet that’s not gonna happen — but I’m betting on myself.”
He said he always had a personal goal of competing again at age 50. It’s been 13 years since he last competed. At the time, his son had barely started school. This time, his son will be right there with him — with a coach’s pass.
His son, Joseph Voss-Danker, is a college student and employee of Danker’s personal fitness business and a former star hockey player that competed with Team USA.
“It’s definitely inspiring, as someone who potentially would want to do (a competition) in the future, seeing him do it at 51 years old, having no reason other than for the love of what he does,” Voss-Danker said about his experience watching his dad train for the upcoming competitions.
Voss-Danker said to be his dad’s coach is a full-circle moment in his life.
“It’s something else. I was young when he was doing those shows and stuff, and seeing him kinda come around and do one at 51, is full-circle for me, and it’s really cool.”
It’s also a learning experience for Voss-Danker.
“Seeing all the stuff that goes into it — the stuff that people don’t see, the meals, the dieting, the cardio in the morning and the cardio at night.” Voss-Danker helps his dad with his meal prep, which takes about an hour each night, and each meal is specific to what his dad needs in his diet for his training — It’s important Voss-Danker can meet his weight.
He also trains with him during his hour-long cardio sessions — three times each day, morning, midday and evening.
His priority is to keep his dad motivated.
“He knows how to do it, obviously. The main thing is keeping him motivated. It’s mentally draining, it’s physically draining — he’s dropped 37 pounds since January — and eventually you’re cutting out all your food, all your carbs, your energy’s depleted, and having to stay on top of your game in every aspect of your life — the motivation side of it’s huge.”
Danker said, although his son’s encouragement does help him, he is pretty motivated to put the work in. He said the biggest benefit of having his son as his coach is that he can be his reflection, and keep him on track with his poses.
“If I’m not exactly hitting my poses right, it could make or break me. That’s where he comes in because he is my mirror,” Danker said. “Yes I know my meal preps, I know what I need to do and I need the motivation from him, but when we’re here at night, and he’s watching me … calling out each different pose … he is my eyes, ears and my mirror.”
Danker’s upcoming competitions:
- Orlando Classic - July 19 NPC Ty Pope Classic
- Jacksonville - July 26 - NPC Dexter Jackson Classic
- IFPB Pro League in Daytona on Sept. 28 -On September 27-28, IFBB Pro League, Daytona Pro Am in Daytona Beach.
Danker said he has trained over 150 competitors in a wide-variety of categories, from men’s body building to beauty pageants at his gym in Fernandina Beach, but he doesn’t only train competitors.
“I’ve been helping the people in this community for 30 years get fit and stay healthy."
He said he typically trains clients, ages 55-85 and “the variety of the workouts, the style of the workouts is different for each client.”
He said, walking is good, but lifting weights and paying attention to your diet is amazing for your health.
“This place is the closest place to the fountain of youth you’re gonna get,” Danker said.
Danker said he is thankful for his two children, Joseph and Bella, his fiance Holly Germano and all of his clients,
“you know who you are, thank you all so much for supporting me through this challenge.”