After a decade in the trades, Florida-based plumber Omar Harris has learned that what happens off the job is just as important as what happens on it. From prioritizing proper nutrition to staying physically fit and never cutting corners on safety, he has built a routine that keeps him performing at his best. In Part 2 of our Q&A, Harris breaks down the habits that keep him consistent and the hard work it takes to stay at the top of his game.

When we last left off, you mentioned the importance of using your lunch break as a way to get off your feet and take a rest during work. Is there anything else you’re doing on the job to take care of your body?

Yes. I would like to make one last note on eating healthy, though. If you’re not fueling your body properly, you’re not going to be able to function at work; if you’re tired, you’re not going to be able to perform. So, eating right is really the foundation for me in regards to taking care of my body on the job. 

Then of course, it’s important to use personal protective equipment (PPE). Any time you’re using dangerous tools like grinders, make sure you have your face shield or your safety glasses on. You know, I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve seen somebody get a finger severed off with a grinder. 

I never take the guard off of a grinder, because I’ve seen discs fall off, leading to screams, crying and blood everywhere. I’ve seen it all. Even a disc falling off and slicing a person’s face open — I had to use my safety vest like a towel to try to try to help stop the bleeding. So, safety is very, very important. I can’t stress that enough. 

Do you think there’s a reason some tradespeople don’t take safety seriously?

The thing is, with PPE, a lot of tradespeople are old school. Some of them are used to doing things without gloves. They’re used to cutting stuff without a face shield. And they automatically think if you ask for safety equipment that you are basically acting weak or you’re complaining. I feel it’s more of the older generation who acts that way about safety. 

It’s even as simple as some of them not wanting to use safety glasses because they think they’re uncomfortable. But now, they make safety glasses you can put over your regular glasses. I even have some that are prescription. So, it’s good to try to stay on top of new products and technology that make wearing PPE easier and more comfortable. 

Outside of the job, do you feel it’s important to maintain your physical fitness?

I think it is very important to be physically active outside of the job because it all leads back to your work. Especially for me as a plumber in Florida, where my main access point is through the vent stacks and I’m going up and down ladders cleaning drain lines on roofs. If I weren’t physically fit enough to lift up a cable machine, I’d fall and hurt myself. Whether it’s going up on roofs or squeezing into crawlspaces, there’s a lot of plumbing work that you need to at least be in somewhat decent shape for to be able to successfully get the job done. 

Do you find your work stressful? 

I do find it stressful. Collecting payment is one of the most stressful aspects for me. I have my own business and I also work for the government, so making sure invoices are being paid and keeping track of which jobs are NET 30, which are NET 60, is tough. I do a lot of jobs, so I can forget where payments are coming from. I’m a little bit more on track now with new software I’ve been using, but it’s still stressful. Also just doing favors for residential customers who aren’t in the best place financially. Of course you’re happy to help them out, but you know you’re not going to be able to get paid right away. 

I know you ran a 10K last summer. Does exercise help you de-stress? 

Yes. I fell in love with running because I walk a lot. When I have a lot of stuff on my mind, I like to go to the beach and just walk. I’ll probably walk three, four miles a day or even more. As long as I have some good tunes, I could go ahead and walk forever. So, when I started seeing a couple of my friends begin running, I just said, “OK, let me try.” I recently did the Opa Laka 5K and the Peachtree Road Race 10K. I’m also doing a 10-mile Disney run in Orlando, but just because the 5K and a 10K got sold out. I’ve never done a 10 miler before, so we’ll see how that goes. I am also really passionate about calisthenics. I do pull ups, push ups and dips often. 

What advice would you give to a fellow tradesperson who’s trying to improve their physical fitness?  

You just gotta make the time. I struggle with that, too. Even this morning, I was so tired. I got done with work last night late around 11:30 p.m. and I woke up at 5 a.m. today. Fifteen minutes on the StairMaster was all I could do. You need to just try, whatever it is you’re trying to do. If you’re trying to implement something into your daily routine, just try to start with one day a week. Next week, go for two days, the week after, go for three. Even if it’s just going into the gym for 15 to 30 minutes. 

And of course, you don’t necessarily even need to go to the gym daily. For the Average Joe, if you’re going one to three days a week, that’s great. Figure out the workouts that you want to focus on. For me, I’m not trying to get huge — I just want to stay healthy. So, that’s why I focus more on cardio than weightlifting. 

Do you have any advice for people considering a career in the skilled trades?

Hard work pays off. Whatever you put into this trade is what you’re gonna get out of it. I know a lot of people will say it’s not all about the money, but you know, we all work for money. I got into plumbing because I wanted to be financially stable and take care of my family. Of course, I also like to help people. But the reality is, if you want something stable — a job where you can’t be swapped out with a robot or AI or anything like that — being a plumber is the way to go.