Lexington Firefighter Tim Boniface Hoping To Take Fitness Message Across The Country

A Lexington firefighter is hoping to take his message of fitness across the county, and in doing so he has attracted the attention of a popular men’s magazine.

While in high school, Tim Boniface decided he wanted to be in finance and banking. He made that choice because he knew this was a career path that would afford him a comfortable lifestyle. He had seen others do well in that field and felt he could too.

His instinct proved right. Boniface went into banking and became successful.

He had an apartment in Brooklyn, New York which was directly across the water from the Twin Towers. On his way back-and-forth from home to work, he walked directly by a fire station. He found himself routinely stopping by to talk to the firefighters who worked there.

In August 2001, Boniface accepted a new job in finance in DC/Northern Virginia and moved there. His new office was directly across from the Pentagon. On September 11, 2001, tragedy struck, and Boniface’s life was forever changed. It was on that morning that two hijacked passenger planes were flown into the towers of the World Trade Center, and third slammed into the Pentagon.

Among the firefighters killed were the ones he had come to know and like. Firefighters from the station he visited on a daily basis were among the first to respond. Everyone who had been sent to the towers died. Additionally, two of his closest friends were also killed.

“After this happened, I felt selfish. Money in banking was good, but I was drawn to the desire to help others. As a kid, I had always loved fire trucks and ambulances,” says Boniface.  “I knew immediately what I wanted to do.” 

Working towards becoming a firefighter, Boniface learned many things, among them, that the number one cause of death in firefighters is cardiac arrest. “The first 15 to 20 minutes, when you come on a scene of a fire, is the most physically taxing thing a firefighter will ever do. The equipment is heavy, it is hot and you can’t see a thing. It is not like what you see in Hollywood.”

Boniface has taken his love for nutrition and fitness – something that began when he was 13 – and hopes to inspire other firefighters – here in Lexington and across the country – to do the same. His passion has even gotten the attention of the #1 rated men’s fitness magazine – Men’s Health. He is currently one of the Top 10 semifinalists in the 2015 Ultimate Men’s Health Guy Search.

The magazine will cut the list to three and those men will be flown to New York City. The winner will appear on the cover. “It is truly an honor and a privilege to be chosen. Men’s Health is the top rated men’s fitness magazine and to be recognized by them is special.”

Boniface says he wants the men and women he works with to have a long, healthy life after they retire. He hopes to raise awareness about the need for them to take care of themselves and says he is always willing to offer advice and support.  “If we are in shape and are healthy, we can better serve our citizens. We can respond faster. We are better at our job. If I can help one person change their diet, get fit and to prevent cardiac arrest, then I’ve done my job.”

Boniface will find out soon if he has made the top three. Even if he does not, he is okay with that. He said he has had personal conversations with the CEO of Men’s Health and talked to him about his platform. “The CEO promised me he would help get the word out about firefighters and cardiac arrest, so I already feel like I’m a winner.”

One of his biggest challenges? ” “Firefighters love to eat; we love food.”

Lexington Firefighter Tim Boniface Hoping To Take Fitness Message Across The Country