Today we met with the media
Meeting with the media
6:00 a.m. CST – We woke up and got ready to leave for a radio interview with WHBQ 560 AM. We arrived at the studio in time for my 7:20 a.m. interview with Eric and Eli. They were great interviewers because they kept the interview very upbeat. During this time, I was able to state the full purpose of our Tour as well as my personal story of my accident. I mentioned our website, so that people listening would be able to find out more about the Tour. I also mentioned that we were a non-profit foundation and that I was pushing across America to help motivate individuals to live healthier lifestyles. In addition to educating everyone, the money raised during the Tour will be donated to the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association, and the YMCA of America. Eric and Eli asked how people could help. I again referred them to the website and said that we welcome any individual or organization who would like to be part of helping sponsor our grass roots effort to help shape up America one community at a time.
8:30 a.m. CST – Immediately after the radio interview we left for an interview on “Live at 9”, which airs on the local CBS affiliate, WREG Channel 3. We drove to the Peabody Center, which is where the interview was taking place. Alex Coleman and Marybeth Conley interviewed me. They conducted a fantastic live interview and I was able to get all of our points across in the interview. I left them with a copy of my book, There’s Always a Way. They were amazed at what I was doing and again asked what the viewers could do to help. I referred them to our website and pointed to my black shirt that had the website printed on it. They wished me well on the rest of my Big Push and on the 50-state tour. They asked me to come back and see the improvements Memphis had made after being named one of the fattest cities. I told them it would be an honor and privilege to return and that I was sure with them helping to motivate the viewers that they could become one of the healthiest cities in America.
After the “Live at 9” broadcast, another reporter for WREG Channel 3 pulled me aside. He conducted another interview with me for a program that aired later in the day. He also had his photographer take some footage of me pushing in my chair for the program.
11:00 a.m. CST – After the interviews we took a break for an early, healthy lunch at a local favorite restaurant in the Peabody Center and then returned to the hotel.
2:30 p.m. – We reattached the trailer to the Jeep and set out to meet some media for a short 1.5 mile push from the Airport Inn hotel to the Baymont. As we were leaving our hotel a reporter from the local Fox affiliate, WHBQ Channel 13, met us. They followed us to our starting point, where we met our police escort. I pushed the mile and a half very quickly averaging around 20mph the entire way. They were able to pull up along side me in their van and get some footage while I was pushing.
5:00 p.m. CST – We saw my story on CBS WREG Channel 3. They did an awesome story and covered all of our main points.
7:00 p.m. – While Dora and I were out at dinner, we met Todd and Regina Ainsworth. Todd told me that his brother was one of the top heart surgeons in the South and that he and his wife both work with the American Heart Association. He was sure that they would like to help us in our efforts in helping improve health and fitness for communities and people across America.
11:00 p.m. CST – Finally, it is time for bed. It may be hard for me to sleep tonight though. Memphis has been a wonderful city to visit. Everyone here has been so supportive of the Tour.
