The Jewish Link and The Humble Toast would like to recognize Aryeh Dworkin as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. The Teaneck resident is a father of three who still makes time to swim, run and bike on a weekly basis.

Aryeh congratulations on being recognized as this week’s sportstar of the week. Who is your role model and why?

When it comes to identifying a role model for me, I find that I’m capable of getting it from disparate sources. A role model can come in the form of an Olympic athlete who is at the peak of their ability, or it can come from a local elderly man who I’ll spot outside my window running past my home on a frigid winter morning. I also find a lot of motivation can come from within—not that I’m suggesting that I’m my own role model—but if I am dependent on others to fortify my commitment, that inspiration point will ebb and flow. That being said, I have a group of friends called the Teaneck Run Club who are all so busy in their own respective lives yet they still find time to pursue athleticism and stay active on a regular basis. We push one another and they’re an integral source of motivation.

What is your favorite sport?

I have been swimming consistently for 22 years, sometimes two times a week, sometimes four times a week. Swimming has been the one constant in my life that I depend on and find deep catharsis in. In fact, during Covid, when the pools were closed, it was the one activity I missed most. Despite my experience as a swimmer, I still invest a great deal into perfecting the various strokes and am even currently working with a coach once a week on drills and technique. I don’t believe that we ever get to the point in which we don’t require improvements. As an athlete, there’s always more to learn.

What is your earliest sports memory?

To be honest, my earliest sports memories are not really good ones. I did not grow up as a confident athlete, nor did I play team sports. I wasn’t even all that particularly active. But that’s because I wasn’t introduced to the right sports. (Yeshiva high schools tend to focus on basketball and hockey). Yet once I connected with swimming after graduating from college, and then with running some years later, I lamented not having discovered my abilities earlier. All those formative years, as a child, I never considered myself an athlete, but years later, as an adult, I consider myself not just an athlete, but a pretty decent one.

What is your greatest sports accomplishment?

I could share my swimming time (like 100 yards in 1:21, for example) or that I ran a half marathon a couple years back, but the truth is, every time I dive into the pool, or run outside from my front door, I feel accomplished. Being active is challenging especially when we have so many other things happening in our lives. And so whenever I stick to my commitments, I feel a true sense of accomplishment.

Who is your favorite athlete and why?

I don’t follow a lot of professional sports, much to my sport fanatical son’s chagrin, but I will follow some athletic influencers and coaches on social media who are generating helpful and instructive content for us non-professional athletes. But otherwise, I don’t have any specific athletes that I would consider a favorite. But as mentioned beforehand, the athletes in my life are the ones that inspire me most.

What is your pregame routine?

I’ve been learning a great deal about the importance of carbs and electrolytes. Because of that, I often consume a carb gel before my routine exercises and always have water, or an electrolyte-enhanced beverage with me. I am aware of the debate around whether stretching beforehand is beneficial or not. It seems that you can find supporting points for either side, but right now, I’m on team stretching so I’ll often try to do some minimal stretching before and, if time allows, afterward. I also enjoy something salty after a run, or workout, and may indulge in some potato chips—Trader Joe’s Ridge Cut is my go-to.

What do you like to do when you are not playing sports?

I like pop culture a lot so I will often try to sneak off at night to see a movie, or catch up on a new streaming series. But I find that as time goes on and my children get older, I have less and less time for escapism. I’m also creative, both professionally and amateurishly, so I write a lot, whether that’s for work as a creative director in advertising or as an author of Sherlock Holmes children’s book (two published, and a third on the way) among many other projects.

What is your favorite sports moment?

I’m not sure if I have a favorite sports memory, per se. But I do have a lot of fond memories around sports, particularly, running in a truly remote location in upstate New York in the frigid cold while the snow fell around me. The isolation and quiet allowed for a truly contemplative and serene experience unlike any other. Or for that matter, any time I’m given the chance to swim in the ocean especially when the refreshingly crisp saltwater waves push back a little.

I also ran the aforementioned half marathon with a close friend of mine who, despite being a bit faster than me, hung back and accompanied me the whole time. Pushing yourself out of the comfort zone is so much easier when you have a support system by your side. I hope one day that I’ll be able to run a full marathon or compete in an Olympic triathlon (I’ve recently picked up cycling, as well), but if I don’t, I’m happy with what I’ve already accomplished thus far.

What is the best thing about being a Sportstar?

Being recognized as a Sportstar is validating in a lot of ways. I’m aware that this is neither a Nobel Prize or an Academy Award, but it feels nice being acknowledged for my commitment to athleticism and an active lifestyle. Thanks for profiling me here.

I’d like to add one last thing here: it is never too late to become an athlete, and I’m living proof of that. We have so many available excuses for not prioritising ourselves and our health. But once you make it a part of your routine, it will improve every aspect of your life. It’ll be difficult at first, but stick with it and you’ll reap the rewards for years to come

The Humble Toast Sportstar of the Week will receive a $25 gift card to The Humble Toast. Please send nominees for an upcoming The Humble Toast Jewish Link Sportstar of the Week to [email protected]