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Bill Backstrom Jr., Jones Walker, New Orleans

Bill Backstrom Jr. is a partner and leader of the firm's tax practice group and provides tax guidance to businesses. He also writes and lectures on tax topics, including all aspects of Louisiana state and local taxation.

How often during the week do you work out? Six days a week. Every week, Monday is my rest/recovery day. I love Mondays!

At what time during the day or evening do you work out? Always in the mornings, usually beginning at 5:30 or 6:00.

What's your go-to routine? I am an avid cyclist and compete in cycling races in Louisiana and Mississippi. My go-to routine is cycling. All of my workouts are developed by my coach and personal trainer, Jennifer Novak. Each week, on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, my workouts generally focus on interval training on the bicycle. On Wednesday, I participate in the WeMoRi weekly ride, a group ride in New Orleans that often simulates a road race. It is fast. On Saturday, my wife, whose name is Word and who is a national age-group champion Olympic distance triathlete, and I participate in the SaMoRi weekly ride. This is a group ride that is 50 to 60 miles. As the South Louisiana summer weather cools off, the SaMoRi may go 80 miles or so. Finally, on Thursday, I meet Jennifer at an outdoor gym to work on strength and endurance training. Most importantly, Jennifer creates workouts to improve and maintain good balance. All of the workouts are designed to keep me cycling fit, strong and balanced.

How long does it take? Most weekday workouts are an hour to an hour and a half. Saturday's group ride generally lasts 2.5 to 3.5 hours. My Sunday interval training generally is 1 to 2 hours.

Why do you like this routine? All of the workouts are designed to make me competitive in local and regional cycling races. The workouts are tailored to strengthen all muscle groups and promote good balance. Most importantly, each of the workouts allows me to decompress. At the end of most cycling workouts, during my cool down, I mentally organize my day.

What does regular exercise do for you? Cycling requires the cyclist to be able to endure a certain amount of suffering. Workouts that push me to my limit are the best. I am able to move past the temporary pain and physical challenge to further my cycling goals. All of the training I do keeps me fit, helps relieve stress, promotes a competitive spirit, teaches me how to endure self-imposed suffering, and allows me to meet new people who share a passion for cycling. The people I meet are all great and have many stories to share. It is interesting that I can identify people in a group ride by their bicycle, their cycling kit, or their pedaling style. However, it's funny that I sometimes don't recognize them when I see them in a different environment in clothes other than biking gear.

How long have you been exercising regularly? Hmm … longer than I can remember.

In what ways have you changed your routine over the months or years? Very little in the past five years. Before I started training with Jennifer, I rode a lot, but without any focus. Jennifer's program helped me focus on how to become a more physically fit cyclist, a better bike handler, and a more competitive racer. She has also helped me fully understand the difference between rational and irrational fear.

How do you convince yourself to work out when you don't want to? If I wake up and don't feel like riding because the weather is bad or I am tired, I just remember that if I don't train hard enough, my wife or a younger cyclist will leave me in the dust on the next group ride. Also, if I miss a ride, I get really grumpy at the office. Grumpy is not a good thing for my coworkers, clients, or this 65 year old.