It's one thing to navigate the daily stresses of life as a top-level executive.

It's another to hold a plank position for more than six minutes, knock off 60 push-ups in 60 seconds or run on a treadmill with a 25 percent incline at a six-minute 30-second per mile pace.

Those who could achieve all those feats rank among the winners of the first-ever Colorado's Healthiest Executive award.

Sheila Scott, dean of student support services at DeVry University in Westminster, and Keith Anderson, director of Environmental Chemical Corp.'s Radcon division, on Thursday took home the trophies from the International Center for Performance and Health. Jack Emerson, the 81-year-old founder and CEO of Ceavco Audio Visual in Arvada, won the lifetime achievement award.

More than 30 executives were nominated, often by their co-workers, for the trophy. They were put through a battery of tests, ranging from medical gauges such as resting heart rate and blood pressure to such physical challenges as balancing on the ball of one foot, flexibility and standing long jump.

Sheila Scott, 41

DeVry University

Scott does a cardio workout most days at 5 a.m. in her basement and does strength work with a trainer or at a gym four times a week. On weekends, she tries to get outdoors, and she encourages her kids, ages 8 and 10, to come along - whether they're all snowboarding or she's Nordic walking with poles while they cycle alongside.

"They call it 'nerdic' walking and say that I'm embarrassing them," Scott said with a laugh. "My family has been very supportive, and we all try to lead a healthy lifestyle."

Scott has been athletic her whole life, playing basketball and running track in high school and cheerleading in college. But when she turned 40, she decided to "step it up" and become certified as a personal trainer.

"I've always been passionate" about fitness "and I want to focus on helping other people, especially kids," said Scott, who held the plank position for six minutes 20 seconds.

Keith Anderson, 46

Environmental Chemical Corp.

Anderson has always led an active lifestyle. But he gained a whole new perspective in 2007 when he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, a condition that left him hospitalized with a 35-pound weight loss.

Now insulin shots and blood sugar checks are a part of his daily life, as is managing his condition through disciplined eating and exercising at least six days a week. Anderson travels 70 percent of the time in his job supervising cleanup of nuclear services projects in often rural areas, forcing him to research workout options before his plane lands.

Anderson also has tried to make good health a priority among the 70 employees he supervises at Lakewood-based ECC, making participation in the company's wellness program part of an employee's bonus.

"Everyone is at a different level and has a different goal, whether it's stopping smoking or managing stress," Anderson said.

Jack Emerson, 81

Ceavco Audio Visual

Emerson describes himself as an "exercise-holic" for his whole life, running for 50 years, hitting the ski slopes at least 35 days a season and riding his bike 22 miles round-trip to work most days.

Emerson founded Ceavo 48 years ago, which specializes in setting up audio and visual systems for courtrooms, corporate boardrooms and educational institutions.

Emerson tries to ride his bike from his Cherry Creek home to the Arvada office as often as four times a week during good weather. "It gets your blood flowing and your brain working," he said. "You can get to work as soon as you get to the office."

Emerson gives his employees flexible hours so they can schedule in exercise, and about five years ago he organized Ceavco's first Ride Your Bike to Work Day. Not only did he get 17 of his company's 70 employees to participate, but the event turned one of his employees into an avid cyclist.

ABOUT THE AWARD

Denver-based International Center for Performance & Health provides customized nutrition counseling, coaching and exercise physiology to help athletes optimize their performances. The center created the Healthiest Executive award as a way to promote wellness programs in the workplace.

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