23S Eagle Eye Magazine

SPRING 2023

TENNESSEE TECH UNIVERSITY

CONTENTS

Cover Design: Aliyah Edmondson Cover Photo: Tech Office of Communications and Marketing Contents Page Design: Aliyah Edmondson Contents Page Photos: Pexels, Pixaby, PxHere, Lauren Sowards, Canaan Jones, Lauren Sowards Production Manager: Madelyn Huddleston Copy Editor: Franklin McCarthy & Madelyn Huddleston Page Editor: Amelia Greer Faculty Consultant: Brenda Wilson Contributors: Sarah Aku, Audrey Wilkins, Ben Wishart, Alex Rinks, Canaan Jones, Leah Dunn Publishing Coordinator: Eva Dingwall

Jackie Robinson: Beyond the Baseball

By Audrey Wilkins

Robinson’s triumph over inequality and his impact on civil rights are what make him a hero.

Exercise: The Key to a Long and Happy Life

By Sarah Aku

Incorporating planned physical activity into your daily life is achievable, accessible, affordable and absolutely necessary to obtaining an extended happy and healthy life.

Music for Your Soul

By Ben Wishart

I believe that music is one of the most effective forms of therapy and that it has proven time and time again to be one of the greatest and healthiest sources of coping and processing for an individual’s troubles.

Finding Balance

By Alex Rinks

Her passion derived from her earlier education, though there was pressure from her family to take a different career path. Coming from a line of doctors and engineers, there was always a looming expectation for her to follow their footsteps.

TTU Takes NYC

By Canaan Jones

A group of Tennessee Tech students majoring in the new Design Studies program embarked on a study tour to New York City.

Body Talk

By Leah Dunn

“Nobody even noticed the extreme weight loss because of the baggy clothing I wore. My self-esteem was pretty much at rock bottom.”

EXERCISE: THE KEY TO A LONG & HAPPY LIFE

Exercise is a lifestyle choice which has one of the greatest impacts on a human’s mental and physical health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Being physically active can improve

your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities.”

The most obvious reason for engaging in physical activity is weight management. Exercising, combined with a healthy diet, is the healthiest and most effective way to shape

your body the way you desire. To keep it simple, the more you work out the more calories you’re going to burn. What people may not realize is the extensive amount of benefits exercise provides, outside of physical appearance purposes.

Exercise is an extremely effective and underutilized tool a human

Story and Photos by Sarah Aku Layout by Amelia Greer

can use to combat depression and anxiety. Those who seek help from primary care providers are treated immediately and predominantly through medications, also known as pharmacologic therapy. Due to this form of treatment, “It is likely that many of these patients are not educated regarding nonpharmacologic strategies for managing the symptoms of their depression. Treatment of clinical depression can be improved by the addition of cognitive-behavioral therapies and by exercise,” states Senior Science Advisor Lynette Craft.

According to The Benefits of Exercise for the Clinically Depressed, an article from the National Library of Medicine, “The monoamine hypothesis states that exercise leads to an increase in the availability of brain neurotransmitters (e.g., serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine) that are diminished with depression.”

It’s important for people who suffer from depression and anxiety to begin incorporating exercise and other healthy habits into their daily life. Exercise can also be a beneficial additive to pharmacologic treatment if the medication is needed.

Physical activity also fights off and reduces the risks for diseases and health conditions. Engaging in consistent physical activity lowers blood pressure and supports healthy cholesterol levels by boosting highdensity lipoprotein, or the “good” cholesterol. This is an effective and powerful way to protect yourself from cardiovascular diseases. With strokes and heart disease being the leading causes of death in the U.S., you can strive to increase your chances of living longer and hit the gym.

Other than combating depression and various health conditions, incorporating planned physical activity into your routines enhances almost every aspect of your daily life such as, but not limited to, boosting energy levels, promoting better sleep and enhancing sexual performance. In theory, habitual exercise can help humans live a more fulfilling,

productive, healthy and long life.

A common opposition to exercising is the lack of enjoyability it holds.

Beginning a workout routine may be difficult for your body at first, but the more consistent you become, the stronger and more comfortable your body will be. Find a routine that fits in your schedule and choose exercises you enjoy doing. Exercise is not limited to the weight room. If you enjoy the outdoors, find hiking or biking trails to run, walk or bike. If you’re a homebody, find at-home workouts to do in the comfort of your living room. This also applies to those who can’t afford a gym membership. At-home and outdoor workouts are totally free! The internet is an excellent free resource to find a workout plan. Find an affordable set of dumbbells and let the at-home gains begin! Once you develop a routine that fits your personality and your body becomes accustomed to strenuous activity, you can begin falling in love with exercise and watching what your body can accomplish.

If you feel as though you are unable to properly exercise, there are plenty of in-person and online trainers who can put you on a workout plan specifically designed for you. As stated previously, the internet is also your best friend. Find a reliable video series and get tips on how to properly perform movements.

Incorporating planned physical activity into your daily life is achievable, accessible, affordable, and necessary to obtaining an extended happy and healthy life. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends 75 to 300 minutes of aerobic activity weekly. These minutes should include a combination of both moderate and vigorous activity. They also recommend engaging in strength training for your major muscle groups at least twice a week. Consult a doctor before engaging in exercise if you have chronic health issues or any other concerns. Consult a personal trainer to get help exercising safely and properly. It’s your time to start living, all you must do is start!

JACKIE ROBINSON: Beyond the Baseball

“There’s not an American in this country free until every one of us is free.”

Story by Audrey Wilkins

Layout by Kara Potts

Photos by Pixabay

Say the name Jackie Robinson, and everyone knows who you’re talking about: the legendary baseball player who has one of the most impressive baseball careers of any player. Feats of his career include earning the Rookie of the Year award his first year with the Dodgers in 1947, being named All-Star every year from 1949-1954 and becoming the first black player to win the National League Most Valuable Player Award. However, Robinson’s triumph over inequality and his impact on civil rights are truly what make him a hero.

Robinson faced racism both on and off the field. While he served in the army in 1944, Robinson was ordered to sit in the back of a Texas bus because of the segregationist practices still going on at the time. When he was signed to the Dodgers in 1946, Robinson had to endure racist slurs from fans and other players, egregious hate mail and death threats for almost his entire career.

In addition to social discrimination, Robinson had to face discriminatory laws while the Dodgers played in the South. Because of the Jim Crow laws in place during that time, Robinson could not legally stay in the same hotels or eat in the same restaurants his white teammates did.

Though Robinson was treated as subhuman, he never stooped to the level of the people who discriminated against him. Robinson turned the other cheek when he received threats and was taunted, he showed discipline and never acknowledged it. This is due to Brooklyn Dodgers Executive Branch Rickey. In an interview with Robinson, Rickey told him not to respond when he underwent racial abuse.

Robinson allegedly said, “Are you looking for a negro who is afraid to fight back?” Rickey replied that he was looking for someone “with guts enough not to fight back.”

Although Robinson had every right to defend his equality as a human being, he didn’t. He endured years of torment so other black people, like him, could have a shot at doing what they love. This impact is still being felt today.

Dave Roberts, current manager of the Dodgers, recently visited the Jackie Robinson Museum in New York City. After the tour, Roberts said, “It was great. What’s great is he was a great baseball player [and a] great athlete, but Jackie’s passion was civil rights and equality and more so than baseball. It was more that baseball was just a vehicle to use his voice, which is pretty cool to see and actually pretty inspiring.”

Robinson continued his passion for civil rights after he retired from baseball in 1955. He was active in many civil rights groups, including the NAACP. Robinson said about civil rights, “There’s not an American in this country free until every one of us is free.”

Although Jackie Robinson is a household name people associate with the civil rights movement, they may not grasp the finer details of his monumental impact. The film “42” documents events from Robinson’s life and career, and is an acclaimed resource to educate and inspire people about Robinson.

Thanks to Jackie Robinson, people have a role model for dealing with times of adversity. He is an example of strength through discipline and a reminder to stand up for what you believe.

“Though Robinson was treated as subhuman, he never stooped to the level of the people who discriminated against him.”

Story by Ben Wishart

Layout by Alex Rinks

Photos from Pixabay

Everyone will experience struggle, in some form or fashion, throughout their life. One of the most grueling issues we face is how to properly deal with stress and our personal issues. For years, people have been experimenting with different coping mechanisms for stress, and how to properly manage it.

Though I believe psychological therapy is an effective way to help an individual work through difficult periods of life, it may not be for everyone. People have their own preferences on how they wish to deal with their hardships, and it’s completely understandable that counseling may not be the best for all.

That being said, there are many other methods of coping that have proven to be extremely therapeutic. I believe music is one of the best forms of therapy and one of the greatest forms of art we ever created. In just one piece, there are so many elements and layers to be explored. It tells a story, relays emotion and allows the listener to connect in a very intimate way. Every piece, across all genres, has something to offer.

Every person has their own unique and individual tastes, and oftentimes, their own interpretations of different songs. Music genres exist because of this. Some may listen to the lyrics of a song and derive a meaning from the words, while others (like myself) listen more theoretically and analytically, focusing on the musical composition.

In addition, some enjoy listening to music that expresses the emotions they’re feeling at the moment. For example, if I’m

feeling happy or excited, I’m more inclined to listen to rock music, or something with an electric guitar, maybe in the key of C or G. However, if I am feeling down, mellow or depressed, I might choose to listen to a softer song, such as a classical piece in the key of Db or Gb.Regardless of your personal tastes, genres exist to help listeners find something that resonates with them. This can be especially helpful during times of heightened anxiety. There are different kinds of music therapy that can help you to take great steps in alleviating tension. It doesn’t have to be a certain song or genre that helps a person to relieve their stress. It’s all based on what the listener is feeling at the present moment.

Some may not have a taste for music at all. There are many who say music doesn’t appeal to them. They may listen to a piece, regardless of genre, and not pull anything from it. There are people who are skeptical, maybe those who have tried pursuing therapy but haven’t found the right kind of music for it to be properly effective.

If just listening by yourself does not grant the desired results, there are other ways to utilize music for relaxation. You can try composing, dancing, singing or sharing songs with friends. There isn’t one style fit for everyone. This is the beauty of music. There are so many effective options within the realm of music

therapy, all of which can help relieve tension, stress or anxiety. Everyone discovers their tastes and favorite genres through exploration. So, even if you haven’t found a genre you relate to yet, music therapy is always there to act as a soothing balm for hard times.

Finding Balance

Story by Alex Rinks

Photos by Lauren Sowards

Layout by Aliyah Edmondson

Through seeing the hardships of those around her, she discovered her passion for helping them shine a flashlight on their shadows.

Angela Rector is a licensed counselor at Tennessee Tech. College students can go to her when they feel suffocated by their stress and anxiety. The root of her love for counseling stems from her pull to help others in her early life.

Her passion also derived from her earlier education, though there was pressure from her family to take a different career path. Coming from a line of doctors and engineers, there was always a looming expectation for her to follow in their footsteps.

Many relatives believed she would be more financially successful if she pursued one of the careers her family members had, but that did not stop her. She said, “These are great fields, but they are not for me. I chose counseling for the reward I receive knowing I give people hope.”

Rector reflected on a tragic story she heard which traveled through the desks of her seventh grade classroom. One of her classmates was scared to verbalize her struggles with an alcoholic father. The girl expressed how she did not have a safe space to exist. After hearing

this, Rector opened her home to her and let the girl stay with her family.

Rector never placed herself into a category during school, rather she tried to speak up for the voiceless. This admirable and empathetic quality later became the reason for her declining mental health once she entered the workforce.

Rector found herself working excessive hours and was unable to say no when it came to helping people. She described, “There was a point that I failed to implement self-care and became emotionally exhausted.”

Not only did these overwhelming work conditions impact her mental health, but they also damaged her ability to work and maintain her relationships with her family. Rector began neglecting her family and was not able to be the best version of herself for her clients, which was a pattern she knew she could not continue.

When she felt her lowest, she began utilizing important practices such as self-care and mindfulness. Rector discovered ways to create a division line between her work and personal life. She says, “One way that helps me shift my focus is to call a family member as

soon as I get in the car at the end of my workdays.”

The practice of taking care of yourself is not something learned overnight. It can become easy to place our personal challenges in a closed-up box in order to focus on helping others, but it will impact our lives in ways we are unaware of.

“Achieving a measure of work-life balance helps to maintain a healthy personal life, as well as a successful worklife,” Rector says.

She wishes to remind anyone choosing the same rewarding yet difficult career path to always take care of yourself and remain genuine. She also highlights the significance of making connections with others, both in and out of the workplace.

Rector is able to be a healthy and successful counselor today thanks to her cultivated support network and due to her practice with setting boundaries, which allows her to not overexert herself.

Equipped with her ability to implement a balance of self-care and hardwork, she continues to help students get through any dark days of depression and anxiety they face during college.

“The girl expressed how she did not have a safe space to exist, to which Rector opened the door to her home and let the girl stay with her.”

TTU TAKES NYC

Agroup of Tennessee Tech students majoring in the new Design Studies program embarked on a study tour to New York City. The group, consisting of Fashion Merchandising and Housing and Design students, got to tour various studios, showrooms and museums around the city as part of an opportunity to gain real-life knowledge in their fields of study. “Being in New York inspired me and has me working harder at my goals. I can’t wait for my next trip,” says senior Fashion Merchandisng student Lexie Heiskell. Overall, the trip was a huge success in fostering creativity and forming connections for those in attendance.

Story and photos by Canaan Jones

Layout by Aliyah Edmondson

Body Talk

With the holidays only months away, there is a buzz of excitement in the air. Halloween candy, Thanksgiving meals, and countless Christmas treats leave everyone’s mouth watering. Leading into the new year, these holiday indulgences coincide with people making New Year’s resolutions, resulting in two common undertakings: working out and losing weight.

While there is a healthy way to work out and lose weight, the influence of pop culture and diet culture can worm its way into young minds. Alexis Brock, a junior at Tech, described her

struggle with these very issues, including her battle with anorexia

Brock recalled her self esteem issues starting in high school “I stopped eating in high school my sophomore

to Tennessee, where she decided to try and improve her condirion, prioritizing eating. She attributed her struggle to the diet culture in her house and having a mother and sisters who all wished for a “perfect body”.

“Nobody even noticed the extreme weight loss because of the baggy clothing I wore. My self-esteem was pretty much at rock bottom.”

year. This is when I moved to Florida, and my self image worsened,” she said. Eating just a granola bar a day dropped her bodyweight to just 109 lbs at its lowest. Her senior year she moved back

Her freshman year of college, she devoted herself to gym culture. “I wanted a change, so I started going to the gym and eating more,” she said. Making time for the gym in her life helped her to slowly see a change in her body and self image.

“I Stopped Eating In High School My Sophomore Year.”

Story by Leah Dunn | Layout by Canaan Jones | Photos from Pexels

“I realized when I worked out I actually had an appetite to eat, and I had to eat to eventually see any growth in the gym.” By eating more, she saw her weight go up by 10 lbs over the summer, which was a slow but steady start to recovery.

Going to the gym three to four times a week gave her a routine, and she made it a priority to go.

“I was living off my meal plan so I was just consuming a large amount of carbs.” With the option to eat on campus, Brock was also able to increase the amount of fruits, meat, and vegetables she ate, creating a healthier, balanced diet.

“I honestly struggled with that at first. I went out to eat a lot because the Caf didn’t always have what I wanted, but it got so expensive so I had to make do.” With her weight up significantly, and higher muscle mass, Brock had found a new purpose for going to the gym.

“I may have said I started for weight gain, but it turned into 100 percent for mental health.”

Brock, who was also diagnosed with depression, said it gives her reason to get up in the morning. She said “That is not an easy task!”

Brock found most of her information online. “I downloaded

TikTok and eventually ended up on the gym rat side.” she said.

Reflecting on how she began her new-found hobby, Brock recalled turning to TikTok for information.

“I honestly had no idea what I was doing when I first started and I was too nervous to ask for help, so viewing these videos helped me to figure a lot of it out.”

Brock has learned countless tips including when machines should be used.

“I learned about what body parts to work out and how to stretch the right way, free weights, just anything you could think of really.”

Brock also especially appreciates the content created by women, for women.

“The gym is mostly dominated by men, who are sometimes terrible with how they treat women, and it makes asking them for help as a newbie either uncomfortable or sometimes dangerous. I enjoy content created by women and seeing other girls at the gym makes me feel less alone in my workout journey.”

She also feels some equipment seems to be made solely for men.

“Some of the machines, even when adjusted, just don’t feel right to use because of how the grips or seat feels just not made for girls sometimes - but it feels amazing when you’re able to actually do a set with them.”

Brock also enjoys the healthy eating side of TikTok.

“All summer I was thinking nonstop about fruit bowls and how much I love them. That’s one of my favorite parts of enjoying food again, is how much of it tastes so good.”

Ultimately, Brock is grateful that she and her family have escaped the harmful culture of toxic dieting.

“I didn’t enjoy it when my family

was consumed by it, and I hated how I felt wrapped up in it with no escape. Thinking that starving was my only option to achieve the body I thought I wanted, and now realizing that doing so made myself miserable I’m so grateful that my family grew out of it.”

Brock has a little brother who she spends a lot of time with, and she is glad he has not been affected by similar struggles.

“I couldn’t imagine him going through what I dealt with, the suffering that you feel when you live like that is something I would never want him to experience.”

Brock said she knows the problem of diet culture goes beyond just gender and can affect boys and men despite an apparent lack of community for them on the web regarding these issues.

“It’s different for them in small ways, while the issue of being ‘too fat’ is always pushed by the media there’s also a push for more muscle or more masculine features or actions, which aren’t always given by genetics.” Brock said she tries to be a positive role model encouraging healthy eating and plenty of outside time and exercise to hopefully foster a healthier lifestyle

“I may have said I started for weight gain, but it turned into 100 percent for my mental health.”

TTU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age. For inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, contact affirmact@tntech.edu