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Derek Pernesiglio interviewing Trevor Bayne, the 20 year old NASCAR driver that won the Daytona 500 this year (2011).

Bio:
Name: Derek Pernesiglio
Occupation: On Air Reporter for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series on SPEED Channel
Years reporting on TV: 5
Hometown: Ronkonkoma, NY
Resides: Charlotte, NC
Starting weight at 1/4/11 166lbs
Current weight at 3/10/11 149lbs.

Derek Pernesiglio Testimonial:

When you think NASCAR, you think high speed, loud engines and performing pit stops in seconds...doesn't sound like a place you'd find peace and quiet does it? NASCAR on SPEED reporter Derek Pernesiglio practices Vinyassa yoga at Gotta Yoga Studio in Charlotte, North Carolina. He then takes what he learns in class and uses it on pit road.

"Living on the road isnt very healthy. Working late hours and eating when you have a free moment isnt the best thing on the body." Pernesiglio said. Every weekend for ten months in 2010 Pernesiglio was flying from coast-to-coast reporting NASCAR races, living in and out of a suitcase and airports. When the season finally ended, all those weeks on the road took it's toll on Him.

"I was tired and out of shape-didn't have any energy and there was no way I could do another season in my current physical condition." said Pernesiglio. "I've exercised in the past but got very bored with the monotony of the gym. I was looking for something to help me lose weight and increase my energy. At the turn of the New Year I decided to do something about it. A lot of the NASCAR teams were training with yoga instructors to increase their balance and flexibility to perform pitstops. I never considered yoga but was willing to give it a try."

Pernesiglio put himself on a diet and started taking regular Vinyassa classes at Gotta Yoga Studio. "When I started, I weighed 166 pounds, today is March 10th and I currently weigh 149 pounds..."I haven't weighted under 150 pounds since college! I was amazed how fast yoga was making the weight melt off" explained an excited Pernesiglio.

At the racetrack, fractions of seconds matter if you win or lose. In the high-stress world of NASCAR pit road becomes controlled chaos and it's within that chaos the Pernesiglio calms down and gets in his "zone." "My yoga practice decreases my stress and the holding of poses has increased my focus and concentration, it's in those high stress moments when I take a deep breath, look around at the environment and report a pit stop accurately. That and exercise aspect of yoga helps me work longer during the day without fatigue setting in."

You can watch Derek Pernesiglio reporting NASCAR races on SPEED Channel all season long in 2011. Check your local channel guides for listings.

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