8 to10 AM – We packed and loaded the trailer to get ready to move on to our sponsor Baymont hotel in Little Rock, AR.
10:30 AM – Pushed from Stuttgart to Hummoke, AR 14 miles. It took approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach Hummoke.
Break 11:45 – Took a 5 to 10 minute break for Gatorade and water.
12 Noon – I pushed on to England, AR for another 14 miles. We arrived in England at around 1:15 PM. So I’ve pushed my wheelchair all the way from America to England. Ha!
Break 1:15 PM – Took a 15 minute break for an apple, granola bar, Gatorade and water. I need lots and lots of water.
1:30 PM – Pushed on for 34 miles into North Little Rock, AR. Half way through the push we took a short break for fluids. The heat and humidity were almost unbearable. When the humidity gets so high, your body’s natural cooling system, perspiration, can’t work efficiently. See, your body sweats in response to heat and the air dries it causing evaporative cooling. When it is too humid you get no evaporative cooling. To make a long story short – it’s miserable! You also have to be careful. If you are in the heat and suddenly stop sweating you might be nearing heat stroke so get in the shade, cut out excessive activity and drink some water.
*Note* – Dora called local Little Rock television station channel 7 contact “Angela” an hour before we arrived. Angela told Dora they would meet us out on the road when we got close to North Little Rock on Highway 165. When I passed the sign that said “Welcome to North Little Rock,” Dora called again about the television station meeting us. They said that they would be coming out in a white van with channel 7 logos on it. I pushed another 15 miles on into North Little Rock and noticed thunderstorms coming in from the North West. Andy had a flat tire on his bike just ½ mile before we reached Interstate 440. We pulled over at a gas station and Dora again called Angela at the TV station. Because of the lightning and thunderstorms rapidly approaching, and the fact that we were already well into North Little Rock, we decided to quit for the day. Dora called again to Angela at channel 7 to let her know that we would wait at the gas station for the camera crew. Angela told Dora that they were short staffed, and that it was doubtful if anyone would come out to meet us. The news teams get pretty busy when thunderstorms approach. Angela said that she would try to meet up with us at a different time.
4 PM – We loaded up and drove to our sponsor hotel, Baymont. On the way we ran into rain where we had to pull off the road momentarily because it was impossible to see through the downpour.
5 – 6 PM – We arrived at our sponsor hotel, Baymont. We took a short meal break and then uploaded pictures and updated the log.
7 – 10 PM – Unloaded some office supplies and other things. We straightened up and organized the room to work more like an office. Dora bought a new Lexmark 3 in One printer, scanner and copier at Office Depot, since other one had been broken on the road.
11 PM – Went to bed.
7:00 a.m. CST – First thing in the morning, Dora went to Wal-Mart to exchange the printer.
Total miles pushed: 52
5:00 a.m. CST – I woke up and got things ready to go. We received a donation from Ron Sanderson, a guest at the hotel, that morning during breakfast. Again, I just want to thank everyone who has contributed to this Tour. With their support and enthusiasm, I know the Tour will be a success and that together, we will be able to win the war against obesity.
6:00 a.m. CST – We got packed and ready to go. We left some thank you cards and spoke with people before we left.
6:30 a.m. CST – I departed for WISH-TV-CBS for a 7:40 A.M. live interview with Anchor Pam Elliot, on the “Good Morning Indianapolis” show. Pam Elliot was a great interviewer. She really covered the subject well and we were able to let her know that the Big Push and Revolutions tour was to raise awareness and to demonstrate that if I could push my wheelchair across America paralyzed from the chest down, then anyone can become healthy and fit whatever their limitations or adversity they must overcome. We discussed that after the Big Push, I would continue my fight for fitness and write and publish the book “Revolutions” about my journey and plans to improve
The speaking engagement to the USF Bulls went great! The players and coaches were really fired up to hear me speak and I was excited to speak to them and get to see my good friend Head Coach Jim Leavitt. Before I went I knew these guys were capable of doing great things and after meeting them I’m even more excited about their chances this year. I tell you, Coach Leavitt knows how to get the best out of his players so look out for the Bulls this year. In giving them a little motivational coaching I told them they had to think a little like Mike Tyson when he was starting out. He said you train and work harder than anyone so you know you can take care of business. When you enter the ring (or field of competition) and see your opponent standing in the way of where you want to go you’ve got to kill’em and take them out! I let them know they had to give their very best, work harder and smarter than the competition and forge their way to the championship one opponent, one game at a time. I explained that they had to out train, out think, and be more dedicated than any other team. I let them know that to achieve their goals they had to stay focused and sharp as a razor blade. The players and coaches seemed to really respond positively to what I had to say. I had them all sign a team ball we called the 2009 USF Constitution for football promising to do their best and never take the easy way out. They all were enthusiastic about the journals I provided for them and promised to keep track of their progress everyday by writing their daily improvements, goals, sacrifices, and a teammates name and position, grade and something about their teammates goals, home, or favorite things to do, etc. Coach Leavitt liked what I had to say as well and said he was going to hold each team member accountable to what they had promised when they signed that football. Coach Leavitt also wrote a quote of mine on the chalkboard so they could see it every day; “Never let the thought of taking it easy ever enter your mind.” Well I bet these guys live by that this season and beyond. So if you’re up against the USF Bulls, look out because when it comes to their opponents they’re gonna kill’em, cook’em and eat’em!
10:00 a.m. CST – This morning I was presented a Proclamation from Mayor Peterson. As a way to thank the mayor’s office for their support and commitment to the Kevin Saunders’ Health and Fitness Tour of America, I presented Mayor Peterson with a plaque. I gave an impromptu motivational presentation to let everyone know the purpose for this Tour and that I would continue spreading my message of motivation and inspiration during my journey. I challenged the city to get in shape before I returned. I offered to provide tools and resources to help with the efforts that are currently ongoing in the Indianapolis area to make everyone healthier. My new book, “Revolutions” is a great motivational tool full of tips and information about the tour. My other books, “Blueprint for Success” and “There’s Always a Way” are available as well at 
In addition to being a Paralympic wheelchair athlete and author I work as a motivational coach and inspirational speaker. In that role I’ve been invited to speak to the University of Southern Florida Bulls today. Bulls head coach Jim Leavitt and I worked together at Kansas State where he was the co-defensive coordinator while I was the team’s motivational coach. At that time under Coach Bill Snyder’s leadership Kansas State Football experienced what was later referred to as the greatest turnaround in college sports history. Here in Florida Coach Leavitt has created his own amazing story taking this team from non-existence to Division 1-A status in just five short years. Coach Leavitt is truly a man that lives the philosophy of never give up and there’s always a way.