Jon Hughes will never forget the very first time he went for a run.

“I loved it instantly and it became a way of life for me. And along the way I realized that this is something I’d love to do forever, but how could I also make a living?”

In 1977, he began to answer that question when he helped open Track Shack, Central Florida’s first full-service running store. In order to spread the word, Jon began to create running events, selling not just products, but a healthy lifestyle.

Thanks in large part to the passions he and his wife Betsy share for the sport of running, the store became a focal point in the community.

The Hughes bought Track Shack and inspired tens of thousands of people to get off the couch and change their lives.

“I’ve honestly seen it improve relationships, I’ve seen where it’s better for the family, better for the business and better for the person in general,” says Jon. “It’s a great feeling of accomplishment knowing you’ve done this and you can do more.”

Jon believes all business leaders have an obligation to encourage their workers to do the same. Not only does it help the bottom line by keeping down health and insurance costs, it makes for better workers, and when you do what you love, you lead by example.

Learn more about Track Shack, Jon and Betsy Hughes and upcoming running events at http://www.trackshack.com/.