Dan Lakin has traveled an emotional roller-coaster to his current job at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, with his office in AFC's 22nd floor West Loop headquarters.
There have been tears of sadness, tears of joy—and plenty of both.
Jump back to February 2006. Lakin's uncle, John Lakin, died of complications from HIV.
Then, almost two years later, Lakin saw photos of himself from Christmas 2007 "and I did not like how I looked," he said. Lakin had ballooned to 285 pounds.
So, in early 2008, after seeing signs and brochures around town for the National AIDS Marathon Training Program, he knew it was time. "I just felt something or someone telling me to do the program," Lakin said.
Sure enough, in December 2008, Lakin completed the 26.2-mile Honolulu Marathon, his first. He has since completed five more marathons, among other endurance-training events.
And he is in his second year working for AFC's endurance-training program, Team To End AIDS—known as T2.
"I never thought I'd be an endurance athlete. Heck, I was the fat kid in high school," Lakin said. "And now, I like my cocktails. I like to eat. And I don't necessarily like to sweat."
But Lakin is the picture of dedication. He completed four marathons in 2010 in honor of the fourth anniversary of John's death.
And Lakin has a job he truly loves.
"Oh my God, it's so much fun," Lakin said of his job. "I get to meet so many amazing people, people who I probably never would have met if not for this."
Those amazing people include Holly DeYoung and Julia Clark, who he first met—and trained with—in 2008.
"When I signed on to run in 2008, I figured I'd be paired with some 24 year-old hot guys, the loves of my life. But instead I was paired with two girls—and I thought I'd have a horrible time [ that summer, ] " Lakin said. "But we bonded, and we're still very good friends to this day."
Lakin has met literally hundreds of others who have trained with T2, all bonded by AFC. Some join because they know someone who is HIV-Positive. Some lost someone to HIV/AIDS. Some just want to get in shape. Some join for the challenge. Some join for the top-notch training.
"The best part of my job is, I get to see how the program changes people's lives," Lakin said. "I love what I do. I love my job. I feel privileged to do what I do—and not everyone can say that.
"I like to call this, 'My Oprah Job,' because she always says to find something that you're passionate about, and then do it—and I have.
"I used to be in corporate America and dreaded going to work every day—not anymore."
THE STATS
Name
Dan Lakin
Neighborhood
Andersonville
Hometown
Peoria, Ill.
Nickname
Panda
Relationship status
"Single and looking"
Running resume
Six marathons, three half marathons and one indoor triathlon
Breakfast
Non-fat, sugar-free hazelnut latte ( grande ) from Starbucks, and Greek yogurt with honey
Lunch
Eats at Pret A Manger three or four times per week
Dinner
Usually cooks, or goes to the Oyster Bar at Shaw's Crab House, where he orders sushi
