April/May 2018 Vol. 1 Issue 10 FREE
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Balling Outta Control
NC A&T AGGIE BRANDON PARKER
Where Jesus Christ is Lord And The People Are Loved
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Do You Have Spunq?
CONTENTS APRIL/MAY 2018
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Jeremy Taylor NC A&T AGGIE FOOTBALL
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Kayla McKoy Health and Fitness Journey
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Vegas Don DBL League
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Jermaine Smith TAPS Inc. of Charlotte
Jordan Twyman HE IS BALLING OUT OF CONTROL
Parker 16 Brandon NFL Bound NC A&T AGGIE Gilmer 21 Paul Progress Fitness Unlimited Spunq Sports Magazine is published bimonthly and is distributed in the Triad areas of North Carolina. We are not responsible for the comments made by our advertisers or the individuals that are featured. Please send all feedback and comments to spunqsports@gmail.com. This publication can’t be reproduced or republished without the written consent of the publisher. 2018 All Rights Reserved - Mykel Media Company, LLC
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Play It Safe During The Summer With Sports Editor’s Note - Terry L. Watson As the warmer months approach, it is very important to play it safe with sports. The sunshine and awesomeness that outdoor sports provide, also come with several dangers that can be avoided if they are not properly prepared for. The first one that should always be respected is the heat. Playing outside means you will sweat more. You will also have to work harder to remain hydrated. Remember to drink plenty of water. Consuming sport drinks is a good option because they are loaded with electrolytes. You should also avoid playing in severe weather such as thunder of lightning as the could potentially cause serious injury or even death. If it’s not safe to play outside, take the game inside until it is. Finally, be sure to warm up and stretch before playing outside. Be sure to allow some time to cool down after playing. This will help to prevent stiffness and pain. Proper conditioning will help to prevent injuries as well. Enjoy the warmer months and play it safe.
Do You Have SPUNQ? PUBLISHER
Terry L. Watson EDITOR
Lolitta Stanfield CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Terry L. Watson WRITERS
Terry L. Watson Junious Smith III Dawn Cauthen Thornton
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Eric Brim Photography Mykel Media Company, LLC Still Shots Photography
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CHEER Photo by Shaw Photography Group
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By Dawn Cauthen Thornton Photos by Eric Brim and Mykel Media Company
Jordan Twyman didn’t originally play basketball. At his size, his father felt he was best suited to carry a pigskin, so he started out on the football field. But as a preteen, Jordan’s interests began to change he convinced his dad, the court is where he wanted to be. “I started playing AAU when I was 12 and then I made my first 8th grade all-star game after that. So, I stayed in the gym, working out non-stop to get stronger and better,” Jordan explains. The 6’1 high school senior plays point guard for Quality Education Academy in Winston Salem, NC. “It’s been easy and hard at the same time. Over the last few years, I’ve moved from school to school for different reasons, so I’ve had to get used to a lot of different coaches,” says Jordan. Where one school had an amazing coach, the competition was lacking, so he transferred. At another school, the coach wasn’t as personable, but he had a good reputation for developing his players and many have gone on to play at the college level. The same coach was also phenomenal at calling plays, so Jordan noticed his skills on the court also increased. Jordan freely admits that he can be impatient at times, like most teens. But he also feels that the struggles he has encountered have taught him patience, discipline, and mental strength. “I always wanted things to come when I wanted them to, instead of waiting to see what God had prepared for me,” Jordan confesses. At 19, he’s mature in his faith and knows that he can go far if he just trusts God’s plan. When he thinks about the pressure of being a student athlete, Jordan prides himself on balancing both with success. Considering his current GPA is 3.8 and he’s a star player, that should tell you his level of focus. His father, Dontay Mitchell, has made sure his son knows that without above average grades, he doesn’t step foot inside of a gym, so to ensure he doesn’t miss any playing time, Jordan divides his days equally between books and ball. In the fall, Jordan plans to attend University of Virginia’s College at Wise. He had looks from
Photo by Mykel Media Company
“I always wanted things to come when I wanted them to, instead of waiting to see what God had prepared for me”.
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other colleges including Johnson C. Smith in Charlotte, NC, but settled on UVA-Wise after an impactful visit there. “This whole recruiting process has been crazy. But I selected UVA-Wise because I really like the coach and the campus.” Another deciding factor was Jordan’s cousin Michal Seals who also attends the school and plays basketball. He sees what the program has done for his role model cousin and plans to accomplish the same goals – become an All-Conference player as a freshman, and an All-American by his junior year. “My cousin has been a great mentor, not just with the college decision, but even all throughout high school,” Jordan explains. After graduation, his summer will still involve basketball, but the son of two entrepreneurs has his sights set on obtaining his real estate license and following in his father’s footsteps. Dontay is the proud owner of a string of houses that he rents, as well as a daycare facility that he co-owns with his mother. He also has a full-time career in the banking industry as an HR professional. “I try to teach Jordan that he should always have multiple streams of income and not just rely on one thing. And it feels good that he wants to do what I do,” Dontay boasts. Jordan’s mother is a business owner in Atlanta, GA, where he was raised prior to relocating to Greensboro. In Atlanta, Jordan lived with his mom and visited his father during the summer months. As he got older, he desired to live with his father full-time, but knew his mother would object. “I just kept begging her to let me live with my dad and eventually she did. It was hard for her at first, because she didn’t think we’d be on top of things. But I think we’ve shown her that we could do it and now she’s really proud of me.” The move was also a change for his father. “Before Jordan came, I lived in a small apartment. So it was time for me to get a house big enough for me, him, and my other son Christian, who also came to live with me,” explains Dontay. In a matter days, the single father of two ditched eating out regularly and gained an appreciation for cooking at home, with his boys, along with many other adjustments. Dontay
Jordan will play alongside his cousin Michal Seals at UVA-Wise
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Photo by Dontay Mitchell
recognizes that he isn’t just raising his sons, his sons are also helping him grow into a better man. “Whatever I tell them to do, I have to be the example. So they’ve helped me as much as I’ve helped them.” The father of two also adds that both sons have great mothers who have been phenomenal along the way. With his new full-time father status, Dontay relied (and still does) on God’s guidance and the support of his family to help him raise his sons with vision, purpose, and discipline. His tactics have obviously paid off, because Christian is currently finishing up a degree in Radiology and Jordan plans to major in Business Administration or Physical Therapy at UVA - Wise. Photo by Mykel Media Company
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In October 2017, Jordan’s own faith was tested when he learned that his cousin and best friend was suddenly killed in a car accident on his way home from a basketball tournament. “When Dez (Dezmond Woods of Southwest Guilford High School) died, it was really tough. It took a while to get over that. But I just had to accept that he’s with the creator and be there for our younger cousins because it was also hard on them.” Jordan credits his parents for helping develop his strong faith and remembers growing up in a ‘holy environment’. He currently attends Evangel Fellowship Church of God in Greensboro. Even through the difficulties and dealing with adverse attitudes, egos, and setbacks, the athlete’s eye is set firmly on the prize. He has carved out a plan for the next several years that involve business ownership and possibly some time playing professional basketball internationally. Right now, he feels he’s too young to decide on which path he’ll travel, but there is no doubt that he will be fully prepared to make an educated decision when that time comes. S
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F OCOHTEBE AR L L
JEREMY TAYLOR
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By Junious Smith III Photos by Mykel Media Company
A cornerstone of the North Carolina A&T defense for the past two seasons wasn’t even a scholarship player starting out. Jeremy Taylor didn’t sulk about not having the chance to prove himself early, although he had a decorated high school career. At Kinston High School, Taylor was a stalwart defensive back, helping the Vikings reach their first state championship appearance in football in 2011 as a junior. The following year, Taylor recorded 95 tackles and three sacks, adding three touchdowns on offense on his way to Eastern Plains Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors. Taylor also excelled in two other sports, helping Kinston win the 2011-12 state championship in basketball and finishing fourth in the state in the triple jump in track and field. Still, Taylor didn’t get have many suitors at the next level. Fate would then intervene in an added opportunity to showcase his abilities. “I wasn’t really looked at by a lot of schools, but I had the opportunity at A&T to walk on,” Taylor said. “That was the school I planned on going to anyway because I wanted to go for my computer engineering degree, but one of the coaches said I could possibly walk on.” Taylor redshirted in 2013 and spent the next two years playing mostly on special teams. Taylor relished the opportunities, compiling 49 tackles and four sacks over the timeframe, starting twice his freshman year. Taylor’s best games came against Alabama A&M in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge on Aug. 31, 2014, where he had three tackles, a sack and forced fumble and then had two sacks against Norfolk State on Oct. 10, 2015. Taylor’s plays would warrant a permanent spot on the team. “I was looking for a way to pay for school and then my junior year I was able to get a scholarship, which was truly a blessing,” Taylor said. In 2016, Taylor had a breakout year, starting every game for the Aggies and leading the team with 79 tackles on the season. Taylor also added 10.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks, four interceptions, three forced fumbles and 12 pass defenses. In spite of playing as a linebacker instead of his usual safety position, Taylor excelled and was named first-team All-MEAC in the process on a (9-3) A&T squad. Although Taylor was making a change in position, he said it wasn’t much of a hassle. “It wasn’t a big transition for me because at Kinston the safety basically handled linebacker responsibilities,” Taylor said. “It was just going from covering the perimeter to going around it.” Heading into the 2017 campaign, Taylor would move back to the safety position. While he was confident in the team’s abilities, he wasn’t expecting such a stellar year. “To be honest, I felt like we would have a good season but I didn’t think it would be perfect,” Taylor said with a laugh. “We had a lot of strong players coming back from last year, so we were confident in doing well (in 2017.)” The Aggies would finish the year 12-0, captured their ninth conference title and defeated Grambling in the Celebration Bowl 21-14 on Dec. 16 to win their fifth black college national championship. A&T would finish the season seventh in the FCS Coaches Poll as a result. In spite of the new position, Taylor would lead the team in tackles for the second straight season with 69. He would also add 14 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles, five interceptions and 13 pass defenses, spearheading an elite defense. The Aggies allowed just 12.3 points per game with only one opponent scoring more than 20 points (when Charlotte posted 31 in a 35-31 A&T road win). Taylor would also pick up another first-team All-MEAC selection, this time in the secondary.
“I think it showed my versatility throughout my career,” Taylor said. “To be a twotime All-Conference selection speaks for itself, but also to make it in two different positions is definitely a blessing.” For Taylor, the focus has shifted on the 2018 NFL Draft, which will be held from April 26-28. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound standout has a reach of 95-and-one-half inches, a 32-and-one half inch vertical leap and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds according to ncataggies.com. Taylor said he’s hoping for the opportunity to showcase his abilities at the next level and can be versatile enough to fit anyone’s needs on the field. “I feel like I could fit any team whether they need me as a nickelback, safety, or outside linebacker,” Taylor said. “I’ll definitely work hard in any position.” Taylor’s work ethic and humility comes from his hometown, an area full of athletic talent. Kinston has numerous athletes in the major sports, including former NBA stars Cedric Maxwell and Jerry Stackhouse and currently has two others in the league with the Detroit Pistons’ Reggie Bullock and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Brandon Ingram. The last NFL player to come from Kinston is Quinton Coples, who was selected 16th by the New York Jets in 2012. Taylor said he tries to embody the phrase “Kinston tough” in everything he does. “For me, ‘Kinston tough’ means that coming from a small area, you have to work even harder to make it,” Taylor said. “It’s a different mentality and I definitely don’t take anything for granted.” Taylor said he’s been thankful for his time at A&T and the computer science major. He wanted to do as much as possible on campus. “If I could give advice to anyone, it would be to take advantage of your opportunities,” Taylor said. “Besides football, I pledged Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., was involved in the National Honors Society, and did plenty of other things on campus. You have to be well-rounded and enjoy everything college has to offer.” Overall, Taylor said he hopes to hear his name called in the NFL Draft or get picked up in free agency. “It would mean a lot to be drafted, especially being overlooked for such a long time,” Taylor said. “I’m definitely humbled to have this opportunity and I’ll do my best to represent my hometown and A&T.” S
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TRAINING
JERMAINE SMITH TAPS Educational & Sports Academy
Information and Photos Provided by Jermaine Smith
Jermaine transferred to Central State of Ohio for his final season in 1995. Jermaine spent eight years from 1996 - 2002 as a player in the NFL, CFL and Arena Football Leagues. Jermaine is married to Cynthia Floyd and has raised 6 children. Cynthia has been a vital piece in the continued movement of TAPS. S
Jermaine pictured below with his wife Cynthia
Jermaine Smith has a wealth of experience working with youth and athletics throughout the State of North Carolina. He is the Founder/CEO of TAPS Inc., a non-profit organization in Charlotte, North Carolina that has provided After School enrichment, cultural arts, summer camps and sports to over 800 at-risk youth. Jermaine has been the Regional Director of AAU Football since 2015 overseeing the Southern Football Conference. Under his leadership the conference has produced FIVE state championships and three National Titles. He has also served as an assistant coach in the high school rankings and is the Head Football Coach for the 2017 Conference Champion Ridge Road Middle School Ravens, feeder school for powerhouse Mallard Creek High School. Jermaine has hosted a free football camp for the last three years in his hometown of Eden, N.C. to give back to the community that helped to mode him. Jermaine’s goal is to prepare athletes for life beyond the playing fields. In January of 2018 he was named Fullback/Linebacker coach of Charlotte’s new Professional Arena Football Team, the Carolina Energy. At the college level, Smith was a starter for the national champion (NAIA) Central State of Ohio Marauders in 1995, his final collegiate season. He finished that year with 50 tackles, eight quarterback sacks and three forced fumbles. Smith began his collegiate career at Northeast Oklahoma Junior College, earning national Junior College All-America honors as a sophomore, and transferred to East Carolina in 1994, closing out the season as the team’s leading tackler in the 1995 Liberty Bowl against Illinois.
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TAPS Educational & Sports Academy 704-674-8331 www.tapseducationandsportsacademy.com
NUTRITION
Stump’s Perfect Portions
“Preparing Healthy Meals So You Don’t Have To”
By Terry L. Watson Photos by Stumps Perfect Portions
Lets face it. With the hectic lives that we all live, it’s hard to eat healthy. Not only does it take time and money to shop for quality ingredients, but the cooking process can be time consuming as well. Fortunately, there is someone who has come up with a solution for these challenges. Stump’s Perfect Portions is a small meal prep company that was created to help individuals and families maintain a healthy lifestyle. Helping people make better choices based on nutritional information and portion sizes is what Knight says they do best. Their goal is to save you time and money while taking away the stress of grocery shopping and cooking. Their meals come freshly prepared and prepackaged. All that they ask you to do is heat and eat! The menu offers a special that is changed weekly along with a variety of proteins, vegetables and carbs. There is definitely something for everyone. Stump’s prices range from $6.50 to $8.00 per meal. Whether you are looking for a healthier option, a home cooked meal, or just looking for convenience, Stump’s will be glad to cook meals for you! When it comes to Stump’s Perfect Portions, they offer much more than meal prep services. They offer full service catering as well. No matter the size of your event or the venue, Stump’s will meet the demand. They are truly about creating memorable experiences for you and your guest. Stump’s catering is known for its tasty menu and trust worthy service. They strive for excellence and going beyond our clients’ expectations. Knight says he believes in fresh, quality ingredients, and use locally sourced meats and vegetables as much as possible. Their attention to detail along with their presentation is backed 100% by the Stump’s brand. We proudly serve Greensboro and the surrounding areas of the Triad. S
Shaun Knight Order Online, Available For Pick Up & Delivery
www.eatstumps.com For more information, please call 336-451-9885
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BASKETBALL
Information and Photos Provided by DBL
Campaign 4 Change is a nonprofit organization committed to enhancing the quality of life for all citizens and improving the image of our communities through extensive community service efforts to educate, empower, and change the negative mindset of today’s youth. We focus on reviving morals, goals, and dreams to help restore hope back into the community. C4C provides a street level, comprehensive, culturally competent and unique approach to influence the most difficult to reach troubled youth. Our message is universal and is unattached to any race, age, religion or gender.
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Founded in 2001, we are committed to initiating collaborative efforts to bring citizens, businesses, and community organizations together to improve the living conditions within the state of NC and bridge the gap of the economically disadvantaged. As such, C4C has a number of initiatives, programs and collaborations to bring Campaign 4 Change (C4C) is a nonprofit organization committed to enhancing the quality of life for all citizens and improving the image of our communities through extensive community service efforts to educate, empower, and change the negative mindset of today’s youth. They focus on reviving morals, goals, and dreams to help restore hope back into the community. C4C provides a street level, comprehensive, culturally competent, and unique approach to influence the most difficult to reach and troubled youth. Their message is universal and is unattached to any race, age, religion or gender. Founded in 2001, C4C is committed to initiating collaborative efforts to bring citizens, businesses, and community organizations together to improve the living conditions within the state of NC and bridge the gap of the economically disadvantaged. As such, they have a number of initiatives, programs, and collaborations to bring the community together and foster a better way of life for all. DONS Basketball League (DBL) is an impoverished community focused outreach program that is free for all youth, and at no cost to parents. It is mainly for kids that desire to be active in sports but cannot afford to pay for AAU. The DBL administers an 18-week intensive summer basketball league open to all its participants and their families. Launched in 2012, the independent league presently enrolls approximately 220 disadvantaged youth (ages 12–17) through its league 18 teams. The basketball games simulates the authentic NBA experience. DBL incorporates mandatory community service, educational and character building workshops, and physical fitness. All kids are giving a well-balanced “cooked” free lunch during practices and game days. The DBL also provide several other programs that are for (ages 5 - 11), as well as free weekly Life Skills workshops for the youth parents. DBL gives youth who might otherwise have too much free time on their hands a place where they can go and participate in physical activity in a safe, supervised, and structured environment. The League is geared for youth living in the most underserved communities. DBL’s staff reaches out to participants in every way possible including providing transportation, food, clothing, mentoring, and many other protective factors. The staff’s core focus is to stray kids from gangs and drugs and their goal is to guide participants to become productive citizens. Community Outreach is an important element of involvement and DBL aims to reach as many members of the community as possible. In an effort to truly focus on the mission, participating youth must serve first and play basketball second. Discipline is administered and integrated into all elements of the league experience. All league officials, coaches, and representatives emphasize the league’s core values: productivity, sportsmanship, and brotherhood. The DBL has a very unique approach, their first focus was to create a program that would get the kids off the streets during the highest crime rate for youth, which is on a Saturday night between the hours of 5pm - 9pm. They host educational classes,
Vegas Don - CEO and Founder workshops, and games from the hours of 3pm - 10pm as well as providing youth with a free meal at 1pm. Their logic is simple, if they have kids in a gym during these high risk times, they will not be out in the streets doing crime or becoming a victim to gang violence. Youth has to complete mandatory community service every week and if they do not they are suspended from playing in the game. This teaches them to give back to their community and responsibility. Each week an educational life skills workshop is hosted before the game starts. If a kid does not attend the workshop they are not allowed to play in the game. DBL partners with educators and business professionals to facilitate these workshops. They have partnered with PNC Bank, The Institute, NAACP, Teachers, Lawyers, Community Leaders, and Government Officials to facilitate workshops. Workshop content ranges from Financial Literacy, Conflict Resolution, Resume Writing, and How to apply to College to name a few. The true value of this organization is found in giving kids who live in a dark world hope, and showing them that someone does care. the community together and foster a better way of life for all. S
Campaign 4 Change DONS BASKETBALL LEAGUE (919) 519 - 8156 www.C4C4LIFE.com 15
FC O OO A TC BHAI N L LG
BRANDON PARKER
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By Junious Smith III Photos by Mykel Media Company
It may be hard to believe that a vital member of North Carolina A&T’s offensive line had to fight for minutes while playing football at A.L. Brown High School, a perennial powerhouse in western North Carolina. During Brandon Parkers’ four years there, the Wonders went a combined 45-11 and made it to the third round each season. Parker would have his opportunities but said there was plenty of competition in house. “We had so much talent on the team that I didn’t play as much my junior year,” Parker said. “There were a lot of great players and it was definitely intense.” During his senior campaign, Parker was a strong reason for the Wonders averaging 287 rushing yards per game, yet he didn’t receive a lot of scholarships. The Aggies did show interest early and Parker took the opportunity. “I didn’t have a whole lot of offers, but one of them was A&T,” Parker said. “I fell in love with the school and wanted to do my part for the team.” After redshirting his freshman year, Parker defended the blind side for A&T and started all 12 games. His play warranted a third-team All-MEAC selection and would be the start of what would become a stellar career. Parker would start every game in his college career and become a firstteam all-conference selection from 2015 through 2017. The Associated Press would also name Parker as a second-team FCS All-American his junior year and first team as a senior. Along the way, the Aggies would finish 40-8 during Parker’s time there, including three MEAC regular-season titles and two Celebration Bowl wins. Parker would lead the team in pancake blocks three years straight and also helped star running back Tarik Cohen break the school’s single-season rushing record in 2016 with 1,583 yards. The Aggies also threw the ball well with Parker protecting the blind side, and Lamar Raynard completed 64.6 percent of his passes that same year, the highest completion percentage in A&T history. Raynard would also lead the MEAC in completion percentage and passing efficiency at 140.8. Following a 9-3 in 2016, Parker said he felt confident about 2017 despite Cohen being drafted in the fourth round by the Chicago Bears in the NFL. “I could definitely see the changes from my freshman year,” Parker said. “Over the past few years, we’ve been doing our part to build up the program and continue putting up winning seasons. The coaches did a great job getting us prepared for 2017 as well. We knew we had lost Tariq but felt confident enough to have a great year.” The Aggies didn’t miss a beat offensively despite losing the school’s only 5,000-yard career rusher in Cohen. A&T would average 36.4 points per game with 48 total touchdowns. A&T averaged 6.6 yards per play and 429.5 per game on the way to a perfect season, capped off with a 21-14 win over Grambling on Dec. 16 in the Celebration Bowl, taking the black college national championship in the process. Raynard would break his own completion percentage with 65.3, throwing for 2,707 yards and 26 touchdowns compared to just five interceptions. Marquell Cartwright would also step into Cohen’s shoes and perform admirable, gaining 1,190 yards on the ground with 14 touchdowns. Parker was never called for a sack in his career and only had four penalties. In 2017, the Aggies was the top team in the MEAC in terms of third down conversion, total first downs, rushing offense, scoring offense, fewest tackles for a loss allowed, fewest sacks allowed, and total offense.
With the NFL Draft looming from April 26-28, Parker has been getting plenty of notoriety. The 6-foot-7, 309 pound left tackle has been projected as high as a fourth-round draft pick by NFL analyst Lance Zierlein. Parker was taught technique by his father, Curtis, who played on the offensive line for North Carolina and coached high school. Parker said he’s thankful for what his father taught him and believes it would be a big asset in the NFL.
“I think my athleticism and technique are my best attributes,” Parker said. According to an analysis on NFL.com, “Parker’s high center of gravity creates some athletic challenges for him, but he possesses the physical traits that teams are willing to draft and coach up. Despite his college experience, Parker is a bit of a project who will need to continue to work on his technique and core strength before he is ready to handle NFL pass rushers. Parker plays a high priority position with a limited talent pool this season and should go earlier than the tape dictates.” The website also lists strengths for Parker such as well-timed punches to distract pass rushers, his smooth look when pulling or moving in space, an ability to be adept at using his length to aid in block recovery, and ability to sink hips and redirect weight to adjust to a moving target at the second level. Parker said he’s thankful for the additional notoriety, something he’s worked for since high school, but is a bit surprised by it. “It feels good, but it’s a bit awkward to have this type of recognition,” Parker said. “I had been overlooked for so long, so to be seen as a draft prospect is great, but I also know I put in a lot of work to reach this level. It started at A.L. Brown — I think we have one of the top weightlifting programs in the state (in terms of high school) — and it played a big role for me.” S
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FITNESS
KAYLA MCKOY
Living A Healthy and Physically Fit Life for Herself and Her Family By Junious Smith III - Photos by Kayla McKoy
It took some time and dedication, but Kayla McKoy is on track. McKoy has been working on a weight loss journey since November 2017 and is on track to reach a goal on April 29, dropping 45 pounds in the timeframe. McKoy, a former basketball player and cheerleader at East Bladen High School and a Liberal Studies major from North Carolina A&T, said she’s been described by others as a motivator, something she’s proving even further with her weight loss journey. “I love inspiring and uplifting others because I feel like that is my purpose in life,” McKoy said. “People would also say that I am kind, patient, creative, and detail oriented. When I am not working and spending time with my family, I enjoy creating gifts, writing poetry and books, reading, dancing, and doing photography.” McKoy has inspired others as an artist and writer, but took an introspective look in her own life for the weight loss journey. “Everyone has to figure out what inspires them,” McKoy said. “My pictures from high school and old jeans that I could no longer fit into inspired me to lose weight. I had been wanting to get back to a similar size for years. I looked so much healthier and happier back then. My family also inspired and motivated me to lose weight. I would not have been able to do this without them. Knowing that I could one day live a long, great life inspired me to get my body and health together. Many people desire to lose weight for the summertime and they fail sometimes because they want it quick — so they choose fad diets. I wanted something that would be a complete lifestyle change.”
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“I wanted to look good for myself but the thought of my mom telling me, ‘You are going to be a beautiful bride one day’, rang in my head throughout the journey. I knew that if I wanted to like how I look on my wedding day then I was going to need to work hard to look the way I desired to look. I think that it is a great thing to have certain life events to look forward to, because that is motivation in itself.” McKoy said she didn’t have a problem with her weight growing up due to a high metabolism and active lifestyle. In 2009, McKoy had her first daughter, Kaydence, and another, Lyric, three years later. As she struggled to find a consistent way to keep weight off, McKoy said she wanted to keep at it for her family and self-confidence. “I also began my weight loss journey because I wasn’t happy or satisfied with what I saw in the mirror,” McKoy said. “I have been trying to lose weight for about eight years. I got tired of not feeling beautiful even when my family told me I was. I got tired of not liking how I looked in pictures. I got tired of not loving myself. I knew that my health could decline if I kept following the same path. My mom warned me about diabetes running in the family. So many thoughts consumed my mind. I was tired all of the time and I wanted to feel great and have more than enough energy for my children.”
Before After BEFORE AFTER
McKoy took a more simplistic approach with losing weight, refraining from the aid of wraps, pills and unnatural methods. McKoy began her journey at 205 pounds and has made tremendous strides since. “I basically merged a few methods together to get the results I have gotten and am still getting,” McKoy said. “In November 2017, I began going to the gym again. I began going one to two times a day, three to four days a week. I spent 30 minutes to two hours each visit to the gym. I combined cardio with weight lifting. I found that the weight lifting really cut down the fat a lot and it helped me gain muscle. I have been eating mostly vegetables, fruits, nuts, and meat. I cut down a lot on my carbohydrates. I stopped adding sugars and salts to my foods and noticed a huge difference in my mid-section. I have chosen to eat more baked and sautéed foods verses fried foods. I also stopped drinking juices. My diet consists of only water, green tea and black coffee as my beverages.”
BEFORE AFTER
McKoy said meal prepping and intermittent fasting have assisted majorly. McKoy said she started fasting to kick off 2018 after doing extensive research prior to, and has been consistent with it. “With intermittent fasting, I ‘skip breakfast’ and eat my first meal around 11:00 a.m. each day,” McKoy said. “My eating window is from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. each day and my fasting period is from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 a.m. During my fasting time I only consume water, green tea and/or black coffee.” McKoy said she’s learned plenty about herself during her process. “I have learned that I am strong,” McKoy said. “I have learned that I do have self-control and that I can accomplish anything if I stay dedicated and set my mind to it. The only thing that I changed this time that I haven’t changed in the past when I wasn’t successful was my mindset. The day that my life changed was the day in November of last year when I decided that I was not going to give up again. I was going to succeed this time. I was determined. My mind was made up and I began to believe again.”
Kayla’s food selections have aided in her journey McKoy said anyone looking to follow in her footsteps must be willing to keep going, even through trials and tribulations. “Even if you fail at times, do not stop and most certainly do not give up,” McKoy said. “Do a lot of research, because your health is valuable. If you fall, get back up and start where you left off. Over the years I have given up so many times. I don’t want you to go through that same challenge. You have a choice. Choose to make it right. Your health is counting on you to win.” S
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Dale Townsend
DESTINE TO MAKE IT FITNESS By Dale Townsend Photos by Dale Townsend
“Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit. When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distractions, the gates of the soul open.” ~B.K.S. Iyengar Yoga guru B.K. S. Iyengar’s says it best. The gates of the soul are open when you’re healthy. I ascribe to the same ideals by taking a holistic approach to good health which focuses on the mind, body and spirit. We often draw from current or past weaknesses to either improve our life condition or maintain the status quo and that of course may not be the best path to good health. No, it’s not something I’ve personally done, but you may know someone who at some point has. Eat what you want, when you want. Find comfort on the couch curled up watching TV with a bag of chips in one hand and a refreshing high sugar soft drink in the other. My alternatives are to train yourself to stay in motion, opting instead to make simple changes and thoughtful food choices. Do some squats and leg lifts in front of that flat screen if you don’t want to miss your favorite show. You eventually want to do more like taking walks through the park, inhale and exhale while enjoying the peacefulness of the wind brushing across your face. Guess what? You’re burning calories. Think about it this way. Walking at a moderate pace (3 mph) for 15 minutes will burn 50 calories; 30 minutes will burn 100 calories; 1 hour will burn 200 calories. My fitness vision was inspired by my own personal experiences and professionally while working in the field of mental health. I incorporate exercise and nutrition into my physical fitness plans. No fad diets. Plant based creative cooking and simple meal preps satisfies our insatiable desire to fill up without the high fat. With 16 years of expeirence working in the food industry and a passion to help people achieve optimal physical health, my commitment is personal and on point to strive for excellence. Testimonials from past clients include mothers who never thought they could stand tall and see their feet below their chest, and middle aged men with beer bellies depending on pockets full of pills to ease the pain of gas or indigestion. I say fight those preventable health conditions with a fitness battle plan.
Dale Townsend Destine To Make It Fitness (704) 962-5290 20
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I am inspired mostly by the athletes who face life changing injuries, but get a second chance to do what they dream by getting back in the game after consulting my practice and following my individualized program. Simply put, change your life and your lifestyle will change. All consultations include health assessments, medical history, consultation, individualized training plans or small group training.
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www.progressfitnessgso.com progressfitnessgso@gmail.com 336-965-3452
Paul Gilmer
Monthly Tips from Progress Fitness Unlimited Frequently Asked Questions And Tips
What if I only have 30 minutes to work out?
Make the best of it: Do five minutes of cardio then hop off and do 10 pushups, 10 body-weight squats, and 10 crunches. Now hop back on the cardio and do five more minutes and repeat that pod of exercises. Go until you run out of time.
Should I eat protein or carbs after my workout?
Both your post-workout meal is arguably the most important meal of the day if you train with any kind of intensity. You need to replenish the glycogen stores that have been depleted by consuming carbohydrates, and you need to make sure you have adequate protein so that your body can repair itself after the beating you just put it through.
How much should I sleep?
Although eight hours has been a general rule of thumb, new research has emerged that seven hours is the sweet spot for brain function and living longer. Your best bet is seven to eight hours of sack time a night.
What cardio should I do?
Do cardio that you find most fun first. Then, switch it up to the types that you’re more unfamiliar with to reach an ultimate state of fat burning and aerobic conditioning.
How often can I do abs?
If your abs are sore from training, give them a day’s rest. But be sure to work the entire core, in addition to crunches and sit ups, incorporate moves for stability and oblique’s such as planks, side bends, Russian twists, leg raises, and leg rotations.
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