HAVING A BALL

I loved participating in sports when I was growing up. I have very fond memories playing basketball, swimming, cheerleading and competing on the chess team. To this day, I still crave healthy competition. It keeps me feeling young and energetic!

Thinking back, it’s easy to see why participating in sports helped me become a well-rounded person. I learned about teamwork and cooperation, how to form social relationships, and how to successfully juggle time between athletics and academics.

Speaking of sports, it seems like just yesterday when my oldest daughter was attending kindergarten with Brady Singer, who will be playing baseball at the University of Florida. It’s hard to believe that the little boy I once knew will compete against the best collegiate baseball players in America. Where does the time go?

Brady recently sat down with us to share his incredible journey to the major leagues. Be sure to read his fascinating story in this month’s issue!

Sports were also beneficial to me because I was surrounded by positive mentors. My coaches taught me important lessons about hard work, respect, and good sportsmanship.

High school athletics are filled with positive mentors, from the coaches on the sidelines to the leaders on the team. Students learn to work with a wide range of authority figures who teach them important lessons about hard work, respect, and good sportsmanship.

That’s why we’re also featuring baseball coach Vinnie Niglio. He goes above and beyond to make an everlasting difference in the lives of his players. As you will see, he is passionate about coaching and serving as a positive role model.

We hope you enjoy this special sports issue of Healthy Living Magazine. As always, we welcome your story ideas and appreciate your loyal readership. y

KENDRA AKERS publisher/editor-in-chief kendra@akersmediagroup.com

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS//PHOTOGRAPHERS

KIM BADEN-KRISTENSEN TERESA CUTTER

MARY ANN DESANTIS GREG FRESCOLN FRED HILTON DEB MACINTYRE

KATIE LEWIS SCOTT PERKINS DAVE RAMSEY PASTOR ALLEN SPEEGLE DR. THOMAS VALENTE RON VANDEVANDER

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Dave is the children’s pastor at LakeHaven Church in Eustis. He has been in children’s ministry with his wife Beth for over a decade. They have three children and cherish every opportunity they have to share God’s love with kids and parents.

Fred spent 36 years as the chief public relations officer/spokesman for James Madison University in Virginia and 10 years prior as a reporter and editor for The Roanoke Times in Roanoke, Virginia. He is now happily retired in The Villages with his interior designer wife Leta, their Cadillac Escalade golf cart, and their dog Paris. (Yes, that makes her Paris Hilton).

A popular and dynamic speaker on the topics of personal finance, retirement and leadership, Chris Hogan helps people across the country develop successful strategies to manage money in their homes and businesses. For more than a decade, Hogan has served on Dave Ramsey’s team as a trusted financial coach and advisor, and a sought-after speaker. Hogan helps people plan for their future and reach their retirement goals through his Retire Inspired Live Event and R:IQ Assessment tool. You can follow Chris on Twitter at @ChrisHogan360 and online at www.chrishogan360.com.

Contributor Spotlight

Kim founded the Danish brain training company, Brain+, with the vision of creating the most effective and engaging brain training tools from cutting edge neuroscientific insights. The content in this article is part of the extensive BrainCoach feature in the app, Brain+ Brain Training for iPad and iPhone. Follow Kim on Twitter - @KimBadenK | www.brain-plus.com

Scott is author of the book “Discovering Your Root: Developing Your Identity in Christ.” As owner of Perkins Communications, he has spent the past 14 years working alongside church leaders in a variety of contexts—helping them launch new churches and revitalize dying churches. He is trained and certified by Creative Results Management, an organization that trains coaches for church planters and missionaries around the world. He is also a member of the International Coach Federation, the standard bearer and largest certifier of coaches in the world.

Dave is a personal money management expert, a national radio personality, and best-selling author of “The Total Money Makeover.“ Ramsey earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance and Real Estate from the University of Tennessee. A frequent speaker around the country at large-scale live events, he has a nationally syndicated talk show, “The Dave Ramsey Show.“

Debi serves as executive director of Be Free Lake. A native of Pennsylvania, she has resided in Lake County since 2000. She has worked as a teacher, assistant principal, guidance counselor, social worker, and in mental health and substance abuse triage. She has been executive director of Lake County Substance Abuse Council since 2006. She lives in Leesburg with her spouse.

Where did you attend college? I earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a M.Ed. Degree in counseling and education from Penn State University. I also earned an Ed.S. Degree in educational leadership from Nova University.

How long have you resided in Lake County? Since 2000.

Are you married? I’ve been married to my husband, John, for 31 years. I have four stepchildren, 11 step grandchildren, and 4 great stepgrandchildren.

What do you love about working with Be Free Lake?

I love kids and enjoy being able to make a positive impact on their lives. When we moved here I realized I had something to contribute to make life better for children in Lake County.

What do you like to do in your spare time? Making quilts, scrapbooking, reading, riding motorcycles, and bicycling.

Where will you be in fi ve years? Hopefully retired!

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What Dr. Terpstra’s patients have to say:

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TAVARES - 352-343-2020

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While

Quitters Are Winners

The cities of Groveland and Minneola passed resolutions that encourage local businesses to stop selling fruit- and candy-flavored tobacco products. Clermont, Eustis, Mascotte, and unincorporated Lake County have passed similar resolutions since 2012.

The flavoring and lower costs of smoked tobacco products make them appealing to youth. This is unfortunate considering all tobacco products cause cancer, heart disease, and other smokingrelated illnesses.