Delaware Sports Blitz is excited to announce a new series we will be doing called Behind the Sports.
The Behind the Sports series is looking at men and women who prepare athletes for their best on and off the court ( SIDs, AD, educators, trainers and etc.). The series will also be looking at different careers in the sports field from media, operating an arena, tickets sales, public relations and etc.
This week we will be featuring several members of the Muscle Movement Foundation. As it says on their site “The MMF works to combat the detrimental effects of muscular dystrophy, ALS, and additional forms of muscle-related diseases, by way of physical, financial, and emotional accommodations.” The foundation works with a lot of high schools and colleges in the area and their athletic programs. The foundation uses sports in a way to shine a light on muscle diseases and MMF’s muscle champions.
Continuing in the Series for the Muscle Movement Foundation is Michael Durstein who is a board member for the foundation. Durstein’s responsibilities at the Muscle Movement Foundation is to continue the promotion of MMF’s mission and purpose as an organization. Durstein also works at the Diamond State Financial Group where he is an Financial Advisor. As a Financial Advisor, Durstein helps individuals and families align their financial plan and personal finance habits with their short and long term goals.
Name the job and a brief summary of what it entails?
Durstein: -Day Job: Financial Advisor, Diamond State Financial Group. My role as an advisor is to help individuals and families align their financial plan and personal finance habits with their short and long term goals.
-Muscle Movement Fdn. – Board member. My role with MMF is the continued promotion of our mission and purpose as an organization.
How long have you been in this area of work?
Durstein: -DSFG: 3+ years
-MMF: 2 years
What interested you to get in this area of work?
Durstein: DSFG: I have a fascination with the way that finance integrates into our everyday lives. Marrying that with my innate desire to help people and build relationships has been a great fit.
MMF: Rob DeMasi. Rob has been one of my best friends since we were kids. It started with wanting to help and support him and has grown into something so much larger and more significant.
What is the most rewarding part of the job?
Durstein: DSFG: Seeing clients make progress towards their goals and feeling confident to accomplish their wants and needs in life.
MMF: Interacting with our “Muscle Champions” – individuals living and refusing to lose to muscle disease. The work that we do means more to them than we could ever imagine. If we can help them to forget about their life’s challenges even for a few minutes, the smiles and looks on their faces are priceless.
What are some of the challenges of the job?
Durstein: DSFG: It is a grind! The office is not my second home, it is my primary residence sometimes!
MMF: Competing with national nonprofits. We consistently work to encourage our “board” to remain committed to calculated growth. We also ensure the general community understands the importance of their philanthropic dollar. MMF is currently 100% volunteer which ensures donations to MMF are truly and fully redirected to our families in need.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to work in this job or field?
DSFG: Know yourself and your limitations. Building a practice from the ground up is not for everyone, but when it works and you have a support team to back you up, it is an awesome way to earn a living….and then some.
MMF: Get involved. Whether it is with us or another charitable organization, try it! It does not matter who you are, you have it better than someone else and should carve out time to give back.
If you would like to know more about the Muscle Movement Foundation: Click Here