All tagged Physical Wellness
Meet Tamara Walcott. She is a world champion powerlifter and holds two world records. Seven years ago, when Walcott was over 400 pounds, she decided to change the way she was living for herself and her two children. In 2018 she started powerlifting, and since then, she has starred in an Ulta Beauty commercial, became an ambassador for Project Rock, and started her tour “My Strength is My Sexy.”
Humberto Orozco’s life was changed at just 19 years old–when he was diagnosed with HIV. Despite the stigma associated with the virus, Orozco continues to prove to himself and others that it is possible to live a life unimpeded by HIV. Orozco is now a social media activist, promoting positivity within his community and educating others on HIV.
Since the late 70s into the early 80s, Bobby Wilson has been serving his local community through urban agriculture. In 2009, Wilson used his retirement money to build Metro Atlanta Urban Farm, which teaches marginalized families to grow their own produce sustainably, hosts training programs for volunteers, and emphasizes the value of healthy eating–all while promoting equity for farmers of color.
Fueled by passion and a desire to educate–meet Mackenzie Strong, a blind woman with albinism. Mackenzie Strong lives up to her name–she is well-known on her college campus and swims competitively, all while with albinism. Despite the stigma surrounding disability, Strong advocates for her community and is paving the way toward a more inclusive world.
Chef Kenny Minor has always had a love for being in the kitchen and after cooking as a hobby for many years, this passion turned into a career. Minor wants to educate and inspire others on the importance of what we put into our bodies and how this affects us daily. Using the elements of cooking and singing, Minor is able to connect with anyone willing to try one of his recipes!
After 40 surgeries and doubts from her doctors, McKenzy Hupke just walked across the stage and graduated from Wagner University. Seven years ago, Hupke was diagnosed with Stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. College graduation was a big part of Hupke’s bucket list and after an emergent brain surgery this past March, she was able to graduate from college alongside her peers.
The Solomon Islands is located in Oceania, to the east of Papua New Guinea. There are six major islands, as well as hundreds of smaller ones. At the Kilu’ufi Hospital on the island of Malaita, there could potentially be a life-changing movement for the people there with the help of Walking Free.
Maurelhena Walles is the founder of Equity Design with the mission to close the gap between health, wealth and life expectancy. She does this by designing physical activity programming that uses an equity lens as well as data.
After noticing the toll that certain health issues were having on the Black community, Cherie White decided to use her passion for fitness to create resources that can open the door to better overall wellness. Her website BLK&FIT has various workouts, recipes and routines for her audience to follow.
Meet Diane Cade, a three-time cancer survivor. She has survived hairy cell leukemia twice and has recently survived uterine cancer. She now shaves her head for other cancer patients so they do not feel alone.
Black content creator and skincare enthusiast Ricardo Ron, has dedicated his platform to one main message: skincare has no gender. Ron uses his multiple social media pages to share product suggestions and give tips to men on how to take their skin, beard and more.
Alyssa Banks is the founder and CEO of the Princess Program Foundation— a college club turned non-profit devoted to bringing princesses and the magic to children with terminal illnesses both in and out of the U.S.
September 11, 2021, will mark 20 years of the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in lower Manhattan. Tim Sullivan, with the New York City Fire Department, tells his story about being a firefighter on that day and reminding us never to forget the spirit of 9/11. Tim also recounts meeting the late 1st Lt Travis Manion and connecting to Travis Manion Foundation.
Parents are placing their birth experience into the hands of Doulas. With COVID-19 protocols and an increase in black maternal mortality, Doulas are becoming a birth commodity. Marilyn Rice is an educator that became a Doula to specialize in assisting parents through births, postpartum care, and emotional support in the event of child loss. After experiencing a pregnancy loss herself, Rice found sharing her story with others as a way to heal.
Matt Onojafe is the owner of Jafe Cycling. His bike shop caters to the Maryland community in repairing bikes and uplifting individuals in their health and wellness journey. Onojafe says that bike clubs bring people together and will soon become staple organizations for positivity and encouragement in the near future. “If a lot of us tend to just focus on what makes us passionate, your ability to impact your community increases, it elevates so much more.” - Matt Onojafe
The 100-Mile Ruck is a challenge organized by veteran Jon Klipstein to raise money and awareness for mental health and suicide among veterans. With 270 miles marched over three days and over $7,000 raised, the event was a massive success.
“I can’t wait to see how much of a difference we are going to make in the future, how Teds for Beds is going to grow and evolve,” Jabbour said. Separated by more than 2,500 miles, two college students, one in Virginia and one in California, came together to help spread joy to pediatric patients across the United States. Teds for Beds is a non-profit based in Charlottesville, Virginia, with a mission to put a smile on children's faces.
Meet 16-year-old Bella Adlah created an organization, Have Fun & Stay Strong, which has created over 300 packages with toys for pediatric patients in hospitals. Bella has partnered with 22 hospitals and 1 foster care center and is always looking for ways to grow her outreach and impact. Read more about Bella's work.
Founder and CEO of Mango People, Sravya Kalyanapu, has created a makeup brand that is all-natural, non-toxic, and inclusive of all skin tones. Inspired by her South Asian roots and the ways that nature can be used for beauty, Mango People uses fruits as pigments while sticking to their motto: “If you cannot eat it, it does not belong on the skin.”
Hayley Procacci has hiked all 273 miles of The Long Trail. Procacci decided to embark on this trail after becoming unemployed due to the pandemic, in search of a purpose.
