This year, award-winning ad photographer Sean Rice completed his first marathon, made the Lürzer's Archive list of 200 Best Ad Photographers Worldwide, and made some major health adjustments. Read on to find out more about Sean Rice’s health journey and how he’s adapted to life in 2020.
How has the way you think about ergonomics and movement changed for you in 2020?
I’ve definitely become more active around my house this year. I do 30lb rack carries walking from one end of the house to another just to burn calories. Due to the wildfires and the pandemic this year, sometimes that’s the only way to get something done to keep active. I work with a trainer through the app True Coach. I do everything I can to work out and exercise and make the best of being indoors.
I probably would have kept running if not for the pandemic. I had issues running with mask on and cycling with a mask on. This year I got a bed that lifts your feet and neck. I spent $10K on it and it’s helped with sleep tremendously.
I take strategic breaks from work. I have ADD, so frequent breaks can get problematic. I put hard stops on my daily calendar. Several weeks ago, I started doing intermittent fasting and this week I started doing 18-hour off 6-hour on fast.
How do you position yourself while you’re doing desk work?
I alternate between a Venn Air Chair and a Herman Miller chair.
Tell us about some of your most physically challenging shoots. How do you think about ergonomics while you’re operating photography equipment in a difficult position?
I’m always changing up my positions and equipment settings. If I stay too long in one position, I get stiff. I try to always be changing.
I’ve had my back go out during a shoot. I’ve hung out of the back of a van or SUV, holding my camera out in front of me 3 inches off the ground and bouncing all over the place. It’s very physically challenging when you’re going really fast or off road. One shoot at the end of the day I went to grab a drink out of an ice chest and my back was just done.
Any plans for additional competitive events following your marathon?
I’d like to do an LA to San Francisco cycling trip, but the pandemic has made it hard. At this point in time, it’s about staying not injured, cutting weight and being physically in a state of perfection without injuries. This is probably the first period of time that I’ve been able to exercise consistently and keep in shape without being sore and in pain anywhere. To get to a competitive athlete level you have to suffer a bit to get your edge. After the marathon and losing 3 toenails, I was done for a while.
What type of shoes do you wear?
I rotate footwear depending on what I’m doing (exercise or casual). I use New Balance for exercise and Perle Izumi for cycling.
Check out Sean’s amazing work on his website and Instagram feed, and check Sean’s plant-powered marathon training journey here.