USANA Success Story: Sportsman now has time to do things he loves

You've heard the saying, "A bad day fishing is better than a good day at the office." That's the way Sterling Ottesen used to feel about working in the typical world of corporate America. But today, things have changed a bit. Sterling is having just as much fun working his USANA business as he does fishing.

Just over a decade ago, this avid fisherman would have to fight the weekend crowds at his favorite fishing spots just to cast a few lines because, like everyone else, the weekend was his only free time. Not anymore. With his successful USANA business intact, Sterling can go fishing any day of the week. Wednesdays are usually designated as fishing or getaway days for him, however. "It's a symbolic thing to me," he says. "It means that I have real time freedom, the ability to choose what and where, to be involved in what matters the most. That is a difficult thing to have in the traditional American workplace. That is a rare precious thing that we can have in USANA."

To Sterling, fishing is also symbolic of USANA. "You never know what's going to happen when you throw out a lure or a fly. There's a great deal to be said about being persistent and continually trying and casting. You don't have results unless you make an effort. Sometimes in fishing it's great and sometimes it's not. And in USANA it's that way too, but you endure the low times because the high times are worth it."

Sterling has seen plenty of high times in his 10 years with USANA. As the founding Distributors of the company, he and his business partner, Jeff Smith, had no idea of the integral role they would plan in launching USANA in 1992. The past year has been very busy for Sterling. He was honored to serve as Vice President of USANA Independent Distributors council from 2002 - 2003. And Sterling's dedication to a long future with USANA is his focus. "I'm going to be full-time in USANA for the rest of my life. And considering the antioxidants I'm taking, I'm hoping that's a long time."

Steling is grateful to the opportunities USANA has afforded him. He enjoys traveling from Florida to Alaska and having time for other hobbies like restoring and selling Boston Whaler boats. He especially enjoys time with his wife of 22 years and their four teenagers. Fishing is fine, but family is the first priority for Mary and Sterling.

But on a more serious note Sterling says, "My best friends are in USANA. The people I go fishing with are in USANA, the people I enjoy spending time with the most are in USANA, because we have gone through experiences together that have changed our lives for the better."