Bringing out the “Heart of a Champion” in Our Nation’s Youth

It was 5:47 am and I had been up for over 2 hours. This is because I am paralyzed from the chest down. When I was on my feet I could jump out of bed, get in the shower and take off in no more than 10 minutes. Now that same process is slowed down because of my high paralysis and takes 2 or more hours. It is tough, I am not going to lie but it’s worth it when you’re doing your best by bring out the champion and helping others bring their inner health and fitness champion out too!

Sometimes we all have to look at life and think of the possibilities. Like my long time friend and two time Olympic Pole Vault Champion Bob Richards best said it, “You have to have the will to win no matter what the odds.” Bob wrote one of my favorite books entitled, “Heart of a Champion.” In this book, he shares incredible true stories of athletes who have overcome hardships, disabilities, racism, sexism and more to become the world’s best. “Heart of a Champion” is about catching the contagious enthusiasm for individual greatness as well as the beauty of working as a team.

I still believe as individuals we all want to win or get to the top and reach our goals. I think Bob Richards hit the ‘nail on the head’ with his book and it is applicable as much today as it was over 50 years ago. In our case, it is the same inspiration, motivation and education we want to share with our nation’s youth, parents, teachers and Americans of all ages, that no matter what shape you are currently in that there is a “champion within you fighting to get out”. The inner champion in each of us wants to be fit, wants to get involved on a regular basis in fitness activities and wants to learn about eating the right balanced nutritional means or snacks.

So come tide along with us today as we work on bringing out the “Heart of a Champion” as we continue on the ‘Big Push’ across America the preamble to the “Fitness 4 All 50 State Tour”. The “Fitness 4 all 50 State Tour”, a non-profit organization 501(c) 3, in to St.Louis a city that is known as the “Gateway to the West”. That giant arch in St.Louis stands for what was at one time a chance for a new and better life as they traveled west in the 1800’s.

Kevin getting a proclamation in St. Louis

Our quest in St.Louis, today is to help promote fitness activities and proper nutrition to the city’s youth. We spoke at Memorial and Beaumont High School and met with city officials to present them with our idea of proper health and fitness through our health and fitness summit. They have a great start already here in St.Louis with the Department of Health, http://stlouis.missouri.org/citygov/health/. This website shows how hooked on health they are and we are here to help take it towards the next level. So let’s get started. Also check out http://www.co.st-louis.mo.us/ .

Kevin with students in St. Louis

KEVIN’S PERSONAL JOURNAL

5:47 a.m. CST – This morning I had an interview with “Today in St. Louis” on KSDK NBC Channel 5. (www.ksdk.com) We discussed the basic points of the tour, including  how to become active and healthy and how that will make you look and feel better, how I’m pushing across America paralyzed from the chest down to inspire and motivate the American people to get fit and meet with city and community leaders to provide tools and resources to create lasting health and fitness initiatives for Americans of all ages.  I explained the tour was a non-profit foundation and that people could find out more by going to our website, www.kevinsaunders.com/blog/ .  And as always, I welcomed any support from companies or individuals who wanted to help support our efforts and help us continue to bring our grass roots initiative to communities across America.

Morning and early afternoon – After the interview, we spent the first part of the day unpacking and preparing for all the events we had lined up this week. It is going to be a long week, but I am ready! St. Louis is very supportive of the tour and everyone we meet wants to be involved. 

3:30 p.m. CST – We left the hotel and headed for Tony’s house. Tony works for The Visibility Company and he helped plan most of the events this week in St. Louis.  Before dinner, we talked a little business.  Tony went through the week’s scheduled events to make everyone was up-to-date. This was something we tried to do at each stop on the tour to make sure that everyone was on the same page about our mission to promote proper fitness and nutrition to Americans of all ages especially our nation’s youth, parents, and teachers .  It was soon time for dinner, or maybe I should say it was time for the party. Tony’s family, the three of us, and Brian (the head designer for one of our sponsors) were all there. I really enjoyed sitting down for a family-style meal.  Being on the road 24/7 makes it hard to do that.  It was very thoughtful of Tony and his family to invite us. Unfortunately, a bad thunderstorm came through the area around 9 p.m. and ended the party.  It knocked the power out of a large portion of the city including Tony’s home.  We stayed a few hours later than we expected to at Tony’s house. By the time, we were able to return to Baymont Inn and Suites; it was late in the evening.  We drove back in the darkness past blown over tree limbs and power lines. Tony’s house was without power for several days.

The whole situation made me think of how ironical people are.  Almost every day individuals face emergencies like the one the storm presented.  They do whatever it takes to overcome the crisis.  However, an emergency like the nation’s obesity crisis, causes damages everyday and there are no signs of it slowing down. Why are they not approaching this situation the same way?  I felt a renewed sense of determination for my mission to start the “Fitness 4 All 50 State Tour”.  I MUST do whatever it takes to help America overcome the obesity crisis.  Every city I visit, every person I talk to and every presentation I give to school or during the health and fitness summit  is a step in the right direction to helping spread our message of proper fitness and healthy eating habits.

Kevin and student from Beaumont High in St Louis

DAY 2

9:00 a.m. CST – My day began with an interview at the CCIN studio for the “Hooked on Health St. Louis” show.  I was very excited that I had the opportunity to be a part of this show.  St. Louis is working hard to become a healthier city and community and I am happy to help in any way I can.

Get Hooked on Health in St. Louis TV interview Kevin talks about his BIG PUSH - H and F tour across America

12:30 p.m. CST – Our next stop was at the historic St. Louis Arch.  We met with Rollin Stanley, a representative from the Mayor Slay’s office.  I received a proclamation from the mayor showing St. Louis’s support of the Tour.  Because of their commitment to health and fitness initiatives like “Get Hooked on Health St. Louis”, I presented the city with a sculpture.  I also challenged them to keep improving their efforts by getting even more community members involved in making their community a healthier place to live and take it to the community kids whether it be in the class room with their teachers or at home with their parents.After the meeting, we had a chance to visit with one of the photo journalists covering the event.  During our conversation, he talked about the great sporting events he covered over the last 17 years and the great athletes he met. Because of his experience, what he said next really meant a lot to me.  He said he really admired what we were doing for the people and communities of America to help them live healthier lifestyles.  Without help from people like this photojournalist, the ‘Big Push’ Tour  would not be as successful as it is.

St. Louis Proclamation

5:00 p.m. CST – Tonight, the St. Louis Cardinals played the Cincinnati Reds and I was being introduced before the game. The owner had me speak with the players; I gave them a short motivational talk like I have done so many times before for the Kansas State Football team.  (The Cardinals won their seventh game in a row; I like to think I added a little inspiration!).  We arrived at the ball field around 6:00 p.m. and we met Tony and his family at the stadium. Tony introduced me to Steve Sacks and his family. Steve Sacks set up the pre-game announcement with Marty Hendin, the Vice President of Community Relations for the St. Louis Cardinals.  The announcer introduced me and explained the ‘Big Push’ tour our to motivate and inspire all Americans to get fit through proper fitness and nutrition. The announcement ended by encouraging them all to make their community a healthier place to live.  When he was finished, I tipped my hat to the crowd.  They even had me up on the big screen!  The fans were great and they gave me a big round of applause.  After thanking the crowd, I headed up to our seat to watch the game.  On the way, I met a couple of the players. I told the players to bring out that “Heart of a Champion”( if the whole team did this they would win hands down) so hard and keep your focus so that the Cincinnati Reds would doubt their ability. That really is the key to life, “Never Give Up!” So often when things get hard we quit trying, quit working, quit everything and just plain give up.

 I never would have made it as a champion wheelchair athlete, motivational coach, inspirational speaker and author if I gave up. To be truthful, life isn’t easier when you give up. It just gets harder. When we give up we don’t succeed at anything. Without success each day becomes harder than the one before it. If we just put forth the effort, if we decide “no more losing! I will “Never Give Up”, I will work hard until I win!” then life will get better and better. We will come to expect to win and that attitude is what makes us winners in health, in our jobs, in all aspects of our lives. So “Never Give Up!, There’s Always A Way!”

Kevin explains the importance of health and fitness