by Dan Metcalfe
It can be interesting to hear how “things” are discovered. How something so simple, yet dynamic, took so long to come to fruition. We rarely hear about the origin of life changing products. But every life has a beginning, and I thought it might be interesting for you to hear how the 60uP Balance Board was born.
I had been training Bob Eubanks for a few days, when I began to recognize the specific exercises that were truly making a difference. But each exercise needed a different piece of equipment, which took time to setup, or took time adapting the equipment to fit the needs for Bobs progression. So, I sat down one evening and stared to write out all I needed exercise wise, and how I could fit it onto one board. And there I had it. Perfect.
I sat down one evening and stared to write out all I needed exercise wise, and how I could fit it onto one board. And there I had it. Perfect.
I called Bob and asked him to come over, tomorrow, on his day off to try out my new training device. I got up at 5:00 am and rushed to Home Depot. I purchased the wood. I rushed home and, as I did not have many tools, used my kitchen knives to carve the wood for the prototype board. After 2 hours of focused labor I had the Board. I stood back, admired my work and then stepped onto the first ever 60uP Balance board. It broke. I patched it, it broke. I re-enforced it. It didn’t work. I called Bob and told him this was his day off!!!
I was frustrated. I racked my brain to try to re-create it. Nothing. That same night I fell asleep thinking of the board and how to help Bob. And I dreamt. I dreamt of a balance board that could do all I needed it to do for success in reigniting life for Bob. Gifting him back his youthful abilities.
I woke again at 5:00 am. I rushed to Home Depot and bought more wood. I bought a couple of tools too. Arms full, I rushed home. I had 2 hours to build my dream, so I could build Bob's dream.
I knew Bob was coming over at 8:30 am and I needed to have the board ready. That day was life-changing. Bob walked into my home to see a very rough, but working, 60uP Balance Board. The board rocked, the poles held him, the exercises I developed over the next 3 weeks (and still more created each day) worked, and the changes in Bob started to accelerate. A better, stronger, more confident Bob. Yes, Bob was nervous his first time getting on the board, but so was I in a different way, but we both had dreams and the 60uP Balance Board was the common denominator.
Yes, Bob was nervous his first time getting on the board, but so was I in a different way, but we both had dreams and the 60uP Balance Board was the common denominator.
Over the next 18 months I continued to develop the board. The size changed, the weight, the functionality, the material. The color options tested. We also tried different poles sizes and textures. The Balance Board went from wood, to fiberglass and PVC to glass-filled nylon. The strength and the flex. I never realized the dream that night in 2017 would take so much work to bring to life. Yet every step was critical and every rock of the board from side to side was revealing.
Now we have the best, final board. It is safe, which was ALWAYS my first concern. It is strong. I can drive my truck over the board and it doesn’t crack, it just rocks. It is lightweight compared to the earlier boards. We went from a 25-pound boards down to 14.5 pounds. The non-slip platform, the yellow poles, the hooks and bands. Finding the manufacturers in the USA to make the board. Testing and seeing results with real people and seeing amazing results on top of those of Bob Eubanks.
Now we have the best, final board. It is safe, which was ALWAYS my first concern. It is strong. I can drive my truck over the board and it doesn’t crack, it just rocks.
And here we are today. Two years and many refinements later, 2017 becomes the 2019 launch to help change lives. Our feedback from users has been 100% success. Everyone who has gotten on the board gets it. They feel it. It changes them and it brings excitement for not only today, beyond tomorrow, and gifts the vision of a longer, better, future.
Here are a few pictures of the progression of the board. Just like Bob, the journey had to begin somewhere. And just like you, if you put the time into yourself, the world, once again, becomes an exciting place to be. Cheering you on.
Dan
P.S. As Eleanor Roosevelt continued to inspire a golden generation, so can the balance board.
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." – Eleanor Roosevelt
The 60uP Balance Board from a dream to a reality.
6am in the dark, 2017, making the first Balance Board, that didn’t work.
8am sun up, and the base is made. Still didn’t know it didn’t work at this point.
The new design I dreamt about. Before Bob even got on it. I was excited.
Computerized design in Long Beach, California - start to work on “Made in the USA” manufacturing.
Manufacturing now in full swing IN THE USA !!!
Ready for delivery!
THE FINAL BOARD setup at the 2019 Launch – the quick start setup guide, Ready for you and yours.