3 minute read
THAT'S WHAT HE SAID
that's what SaidHE
AERIK WILLIAMS, OWNER OF SHOOT 360 CHARLOTTE
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INTRODUCTIONS I grew up in Columbus, Ohio, and attended Johns Hopkins University where I was a 4-year soccer player and received a Bachelor of Art degree in public health. I was inducted into their hall of fame in 2018. While in medical school at Ohio State University, I met my wife Lindsey by a chance encounter at a restaurant on campus. An allergy/immunology fellowship at Wake Forest brought me to North Carolina in 2012, and I currently practice medicine in Salisbury. I’m also the owner of Shoot 360 Charlotte, a brand-new basketball training facility. My son, Max, is 12 and is passionate about basketball—playing AAU basketball for CLT1 (a travel basketball organization).
Men and women are different. Ok, so maybe that fact didn’t really surprise you. After all, it’s been 28 years since John Gray popularized the idea that men are from Mars and women are from Venus. And as much as we love sharing women’s stories, we decided it was time to lend the Martians of LKN our ear, too. This month we share the perspectives of Aerik Williams of Shoot 360 Charlotte.
MY HEROES My dad inspired me the most. He was a family physician in Columbus, Ohio, and one of the rst Black doctors in the city. I was in awe of how he was admired by seemingly everyone. I knew I wanted to be just like him. I had the pleasure of him “hooding” me at my graduation from medical school. He is e Ohio State University College of Medicine Class of 1978, and I am the class of 2008, so it was very meaningful on many levels. My other hero is my grandfather, Jesse Williams, who was in the Army and a World War II veteran. Having served his country with honor and pride, despite being treated like a second-class citizen, he is buried with an American ag in his casket.
LET’S PLAY BALL! While I have a passion for practicing medicine, I also LOVE to play sports. In addition to soccer, I also played basketball growing up which was my rst love and something my son and I can now share. Basketball taught me a lot about life in general … lessons in teamwork, discipline, resiliency, respect, compassion, and character that I want to pass down to my son and other young athletes as well. Shoot 360 Charlotte gives me the perfect opportunity to do just that by helping kids develop those skills as they learn and grow on the court. And maybe even most importantly of all, our students at Shoot 360 Charlotte can nd a sense of belonging and accomplishment through skill development and team dynamics that they might struggle to nd o the court. I can’t explain the feeling it gives me to see that moment in a young athlete’s life when “the lightbulb comes on” and he or she realizes that dreams can come true through hard work and determination. For me, that is what it is all about.
LIFE—IMMERSION THERAPY Challenges keep life interesting. We all came face-to-face with our obstacles during the COVID pandemic. I know for me, running a medical practice and being concerned about my son’s mental health with remote learning was challenging. But we overcame it all by accepting the reality. No need to panic. No need to worry. No need to complain. With experience, I have an understanding that challenges will come to pass. Stay prayerful and in the moment … count your blessings and spread the love. w
Aerik Williams, MD, MPH, currently practices medicine at his private practice in Salisbury and is the owner of Shoot 360 Charlotte, located at 9800 Twin Lakes Parkway in Charlotte. Contact them at 980.224.7831 or visit www.shoot360.com/charlotte.
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