Dana Barker works a few jobs and wears a lot of hats - now add dancing to that! This Auburn University senior technical analyst and fill-in TV meteorologist (for stations like WTVM in his hometown of Columbus GA) also stays busy as a football ref and hockey PA announcer for the Columbus River Dragons, who he's representing in the upcoming "Dancing Stars of Columbus," the biggest local fundraiser for the Alzheimer's Association. We talk on this episode about his many roles and how fitness/exercise is a part of those.

(2:41) Dana says he's out of his "comfort zip code" learning a dance for this Thursday night's gala. He's been sweating quite a bit while learning/practicing his 90 second routine with pro Tracie Chamblee, who was my partner when I was a "dancing star" 2 years ago. The most important part is raising money for Alzheimer's research and caregivers. You can support Dana or others by giving at this link: https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Gala/GA-Georgia?px=24103747&pg=personal&fr_id=18356.

(10:16) This former nerd of mathlete (his term) did not play sports growing up, but is involved with them now like being an experienced ref for high school football - which his broadcast career has helped him with a key part of that job...communication. This president of the local AHSAA association, covering schools in East Alabama, also gets in tens of thousands of steps during each football game as a white hat. It sometimes has to dance on the football field to keep from being run over.

(22:04) Dana has also become a student of the game of hockey that he loves now. The longtime PA announcer and DJ for the Columbus River Dragons (formerly the Cottonmouths) talks about why this sport on the ice has hung around this part of Georgia for three decades now.

(27:17) This scientist may have the strongest passion though for weather and forecasting! He tells a story about storm chasing and getting close to a funnel 4+ years ago in Eufaula AL. Dana also talks about how the 2019 deadly tornado in Beauregard AL (23 people dead) changed his mindset from working severe weather as an adrenaline rush to a real focus on being a service and saving lives. (37:40) Now, dancing Dana is nervous and excited to hit the dance floor, giving back in the city of Columbus GA where he has deep roots. I close out the pod episode in prayer.

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