We’ve had fun celebrating National Physical Fitness & Sports Month throughout May. Although, our NSTers really don’t need a month designated to healthy activity and sports: we live it.

If you haven’t seen our many posts about Major League Baseball, check out Opening Day … It’s Like Christmas at Nuffer, Smith, Tucker to see how baseball is celebrated by CEO Kerry Tucker.

Baseball is also Michelle’s favorite sport. “I played softball from age 9 to age 26 and the tradition continues with my daughter Trista playing Little League now. She is great at first base and has about an .800 batting average!”

Even though workouts at Crossfit Invictus can get competitive, that doesn't stop Price from mastering kettle bell swings.

Some NSTers, like Price, follow a more regimented workout routine. Price has been doing crossfit since January 2010 and it has completely changed her outlook on fitness. “It’s not just about looking good, but also feeling good and helping your body do what it is designed to do,” says Price. “Crossfit Invictus has allowed me to push myself mentally and physically further than I ever thought and increase my confidence and mental toughness.”

For other NSTers, being active outside is a preference.

She's conquered Half Dome in Yosemite, where will Teresa's hiking take her next?

“My favorite exercise by far is hiking, and I’m still surprised by how many hidden hiking trails there are in San Diego County – if you know where to look,” says Teresa. “I love exploring new places and would love to visit as many national parks as possible. I go to Yosemite almost annually, and this year I will be exploring two new national parks: Zion and Bryce.”

Katie (left) and her friend enjoying an afternoon of kayaking on Mission Bay.

For Katie, it’s the location of her apartment that makes it easy for her to stay active. “I live about one block away from Mission Bay, meaning I’m just steps from a bike path, sand and cool bay breezes – the perfect elements for training for my first half marathon.” Good luck, Katie!

We’ve said it before, and Mary will say it again: being fit isn’t just a benefit for our bodies, but also for our minds. “I feel off balance when I don’t exercise, so that’s why I do it at least five times a week. Even when it means waking up at 5 a.m. to get a workout in before my daughters wake up.”

Becky agrees, but adds that a nighttime workout is a great way for her to unwind after work. “Besides actually making me feel better, working out on a regular basis helps me de-stress and relax.” Becky’s workout of choice includes TRX, Pilates and yoga with some spinning mixed in for fun.

And that seems to be the key for us all of us at NST – fun! We balance working hard and playing hard, which for most of us means being active in our personal lives.

As for me, here’s the spectator information to catch me (if you can) at the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll ½ Marathon on June 5!

What’s your favorite way to keep active?

Hope Springs Eternal – Kerry Tucker

Opening Day of baseball is a celebration at Nuffer, Smith, Tucker. At its very root, opening day is all about hope. The Pads are 2 and 1, ½ game out of first behind those dreaded Dodgers. They’re looking good with only one defeat.

Five years after the major league Padres came to town in 1969, Dave Nuffer founded Nuffer, Smith, Tucker. He had a spring in his step that day in April of ’74. We’ve been celebrating ever since. Though we don’t close the office in recognition of Opening Day, a few of us wander a few blocks south to Petco, clients in tow. The rest of our brethren share a view of third base from our 19th floor suite on Broadway.

Today we face the Giants – the world champion Giants – with “Boch” and “Flan” returning to what was once their hometown crowd. Will we be in first place at the end of the day? Hope springs eternal …

Fear the Beard – Greg Kershaw

To many, baseball is a boring game, one of many sports you can choose to watch or not watch. To others, including the founding members of NST and many on our current team, it’s a celebrated pastime – something to follow, discuss, joke about and celebrate amongst family, friends, clients and each other.

I’ve always thought Opening Day felt like Christmas, and that’s never been truer than this year. This year, Santa has a black beard, delivers 100 mph fastballs and, oh yeah, has a World Series Championship under his belt. In case you didn’t hear, the San Francisco Giants won it all last season. I still remember every trade, every injury, every bar argument and every expletive uttered late in games that led to a rag-tag group of guys winning baseball’s biggest prize (while the Padres watched at home.) I still see visions of grown men in orange and black dancing on Market Street in San Francisco in rain made out of confetti and I still watch videos of my friends and I celebrating something we hoped would happen for as long as we were old enough to remember. And that dream isn’t over yet.

That’s all to say my vision of what’s possible this year is skewed, and I will be undoubtedly biased and haughty at times – but that’s all part of being a true baseball fan. Any other year, I’d be concerned the Giants were on pace for the worst season in baseball history (they’re 1-3 in 4 games so far), but not this year. This year, I’ll be wearing a Fear the Beard shirt and a smile at Petco Park on Opening Day.

Renewed Excitement – Krystin Williamson

Baseball is back … and thank goodness! As we celebrate the Padres home opener against the Giants today, I’m flooded with fond memories of past seasons full of friends and family. I was with my brother when the Pads clinched the Western Division title in 2006, which marked our first year as season ticket holders together. That night was followed by a host of other very special occasions I am lucky to share with both him, my dad and lots of close friends sprinkled in between.

Coming off opening weekend in St. Louis, I’m also feeling a renewed excitement as we learn about and welcome many new team members to the squad. Watching San Diego native Aaron Harang take the mound will be a special treat, too.

It’s only Kerry, Natalie and myself off to root for the Padres today (as you know, Greg happens to be a Giants fan), but I know many more NSTers will venture over to a game or two (or 20!) before the season is over.

I’m definitely not “fearing the beard” today, but if I see one stupid panda hat this afternoon …

We close our Opening Day post with an amazing picture of our 19th floor view straight into Petco Park. Cheers to baseball and a great season!

NST's view of Petco Park