SCORE Helps Fit Enthusiast Measure Up Pitch

Moved to action by the deaths of three siblings stemming from diabetes complications, David Norec set out to not only stop the vicious cycle but change the lives of others along his journey.

Norec, owner of Fit-Lit, was himself diagnosed as being pre-diabetic, then diabetic.

“I didn’t listen,” Norec recalled of doctors’ warnings at the time his siblings were ill. “It didn’t change much.”

In 2013, his brother, Henry, died, then, a year later, his sister, Mary.

“It was ‘OK, something needs to change,’” Norec said of his wake-up call. Last year, he lost his sister, Carmen, to diabetes complications.

A former English elementary and middle school teacher, Norec felt compelled to rechart his path by getting healthy, eating better, exercising and, surprisingly, writing a children’s book.

“I thought I would write a book, but I didn’t think it would be a children’s book,” he said of “The Adventures of Exo and Cy,” which was released in 2019 and has since sold 10,000 copies.

With books in tow, Norec visits schools to lead interactive programs about diabetes and health education, as well as physical and mental wellness.

“In my life I've dedicated myself to eat healthy, to exercise to read more,” Norec said of how he’s changed his life. “It's been encouraging people, especially kids, to read and exercise and eat better.”

In November, in recognition of Diabetes Awareness Month, he’s planning to walk 250 miles from McAllen to San Antonio as part of his documentary “The Extra Mile.”

“A lot of organizations have caught on to the Extra Mile project,” he said. “It might be a relay walk where I can tag off to somebody else.”

Just in case that’s not the case, he’s training with a Nike run club for a marathon, as well as ultra marathon training.

In an effort to bring his message to a wider audience, Norec competed in SCORE’s 60th Anniversary Pitch Competition. SCORE is a national nonprofit organization that supports small businesses through free mentoring.

More than 2,200 small businesses applied to compete in the five pitch events. Contestants were pared down to 60 contenders who presented their pitch live before panels of judges. Participants were matched with SCORE mentors to refine their pitches, strengthen their presentations, and hone their business plans. Norec was one of 45 finalists.

He teamed with SCORE mentor Tamie Callahan of the Greater Seattle chapter.

“I was very impressed with what he had done. He understood that the audience was the funders and was talking about things like profit and how he was going to build the business,” said Callahan, who had helped to judge 50 pitches. “He just intrinsically seemed to understand all the questions.”

Norec credits SCORE with being the “expert voice” in his ear guiding him.

“Mainly on the business end as a teacher everything business I've learned on the fly: How to successfully manage a business and everything,” Norec said. “I had zero background in business.”

Yet, his drive to change lives has propelled him to continued success. After a YouTuber posted a video about him that generated 14 million views, Neroc was featured on the Dr. Phil Show. A school in Nepal is using his book as part of their curriculum. Looking ahead, he’s working to have his book translated to French and Spanish.

“I’m working to roll out a program for schools across Texas – and across the country – on the importance of reading, exercising and healthy eating,” Norec said. “They do all mesh together.”

To learn more about SCORE, request a mentor or volunteer to be one, visit score.org.

About SCORE

Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 17 million entrepreneurs start, grow, or successfully exit a business. SCORE's 10,000 volunteers provide free, expert mentoring, resources and education in all 50 U.S. states and territories. Visit SCORE at score.org.