Faith, Basketball, & More w/ Coach Eric Walker
Join Adrian Rangel as he interviews ABA Rising Stars coach, Eric Walker, about succeeding in faith-based programs.
Join Adrian Rangel as he interviews ABA Rising Stars coach, Eric Walker, about succeeding in faith-based programs.
Faith, Basketball, & More
Coach Eric Walker, affectionately called 'Coach E', sat down on the N2AthleteX podcast to discuss how he balances faith with both his youth & professional basketball athletes. As the head coach of the Roanoke Rising Stars and organizer of the Skills & Drills Basketball Camps, Coach E aims to provide an outlet for athletes... and not just through sports.
Keeping The Faith
By starting every practice and game with devotionals and prayers, Coach E keeps the faith in athletics. He leads by example, giving thanks after every game, and regularly growing in his faith practices.
Growing up, Eric's family went to church but it wasn't yet a part of his lifestyle. He went onto the military, getting out of the habit of the Sunday preachings... only to find it again in North Korea. A few years later, Eric understood why he kept drawing closer to the Faith. He is a messenger.
And through this realization, Coach E began incorporating the publications that helped to influence his faith into his practices. Together, athletes and Walker dissect both the biblical principles & life principles presented in these passages.
Coach E began to speak his truth while letting others still be themselves. This practice of devotions continues even if he is not there, and it's this consistency that has given such great results for the athletes and teams he's coached.
Practicing What You Preach
Aside from his professional basketball teams, Coach E also hosts early morning Skills & Drills Clinics. Every Tuesday and Thursday, athletes of all ages show up before dawn ready to learn. Coach E is right there with him, devotional in hand and ready to lead.
"If you want success, the day starts early."
Coach Eric Walker
Just as Eric strives for excellence in his faith and coaching, he expects his athletes to do the same.
Student-Athletes who walk into his gym with a C- grade won't cut it. To find success in basketball, school, and life; these kids must put for A+ effort in all things they do. And when that mentality clicks for his athletes, Coach E can tell.
They set their alarm to be on the court at 5 am. They get their parents up to drive out there. They show up awake and ready to get better. This type of preparation does more for the athletes than any jump shot or sprint drill. Coach E's clinics prepare athletes for college and beyond -- they're ready to wake up early, handle the training, and school.
Now, sometimes, this can be difficult to accomplish. Parents may be hesitant to wake up that early to take their child to train, drop them off at school, then head to work. It's a lot to handle! On the other hand, as discussed in Dr. Turk's episode, there are parents who may push their children into waking up before they're ready... practicing more than they care to... and burning them out before their prime.
That's why Coach E makes a point to make his clinics and practice about the athlete, even by bringing ALL ages of athletes together.
The Bigger Picture
Walker's training rarely differs in the age of the athlete. Yes, there are progressions and regressions as with all drills and exercises. But, when a third-grader walks into the gym and sees a professional athlete ready to do the same drills, something special happens.
The younger athletes get a sneak peek of what they could be if they stick with the drills and improve their abilities. And while they may not be ready to perform the exact drills, they are willing to try it... AND NOT AFRAID TO FAIL! As well, the older athletes have a chance to role model and lead the youths. This helps push them to not only be better athletes but better individuals.
And it is these types of individuals that help Coach E and his ABA team bring joy into the Roanoke community. As these athletes work as messengers and role models, kids are given hope and someone to turn to. Everyone is then able to come together and bring some peace to an otherwise tragic world at times.
Join the Movement
If you're a coach looking to bring some more faith to your teams and athletes, Coach E has this advice: make it your own. Bring your own flair to it and grow with your teachings as you wish your athletes to grow. Find what you identify with, and see how it can help the athletes.
Many times, kids will hold onto whatever it is they're feeling/experiencing, unable to talk about it until they explode. But, by not pushing anything on them and simply speaking your truth, you are able to open the door to discussions.
Not ready to start daily devotionals and prayers with your athletes? That's okay! Even a simple share of the Rising Stars movement or Coach E's clinics can help spread this positive message. Check out the Rising Stars' Facebook Page or send a message to Coach E here.
Skills & Drills Basketball is hosted every Tuesday & Thursday from 5 am - 7 am at Faith Christian School.
Resilience In The Face Of Adversity w/ Kellen Smith, PT, DPT
As the first month of 2020 comes to a close, most individuals are realizing how hard it will be to reach those goals… but PT, Kellen Smith, and paraplegic, Scott Mills, have something to say before these individuals give up.
As the first month of 2020 comes to a close, most individuals are realizing how hard it will be to reach those goals… but PT, Kellen Smith, and paraplegic, Scott Mills, have something to say before these individuals give up.
Resilience In The Face Of Adversity
The beginning of a new year always spurs up conversations about our new goals for the year. For many, these goals are lofty --
"I'm finally going to get a budget together!"
"This is the year I lose 20 pounds!"
"It's time I stop procrastinating on projects and dreams."
But, for others, their new year's resolution is as simple as enjoying a basketball game for the first time since the accident.
Kellen Smith was just 16 years old when a Chevy Astro Van hurled into him at 59 mph. After suffering a fractured leg, internal damage, and a head injury; Kellen spent 30 days in UVA. A once proficient soccer player was told he may never play sports again. Kellen was wheelchair-bound.
It was almost 2 months before Kellen could begin to walk again... but only with crutches. Eventually, he proved the doctors wrong, finding weightlifting and cheerleading.
Kellen progressed through the years, cheerleading in both his undergraduate and graduate programs. Now, a PT at [unsure if he is still working at Roanoke Memorial], Kellen directs his focus on trauma and cardiac ICU patients. And it's here where he found his passion.
The Real Love For Wheel Love
Not every patient he met would be able to walk again, and oftentimes, they asked, "what comes after this?"
For years, Kellen couldn't answer them. It wasn't until he met paraplegic, Scott Mills, paired with another major surgery that an idea sparked in Kellen. After electing to re-break and set his once fractured leg (due to back pain in recent years), Kellen was out of work for 6 months.
But, for Kellen, this wasn't a time to mope or feel down. This was the downtime he needed to create Wheel Love with his friend, Scott. Wheel Love is a non-profit organization dedicated to getting differently-abled folks out and active!
Kellen recently sat down with Adrian Rangel on Episode 15 of the N2AthleteX Podcast. Together, the pair discussed the beginnings of Wheel Love... and their thoughts on what the future has in store.
Wheel Love began as a spinal cord injury support group. However, Kellen and Scott noticed there were more people in Southwest Virginia that needed their help. CP, Spina Bifida, Autism, and more affect hundreds of individuals on a daily basis. And, Wheel Love is here to support them any way they can.
It's Human Nature
It's very easy to experience an injury and give up on sports. It's easy to not try to do things differently. It's in our nature to see all the things we CAN'T do... thinking to ourselves, "man, that would be so cool to do if only I could."
There will always be resistance when it comes to changing the way we approach life. but Kellen and Scott are set to change that. No matter how massive the injury, no matter the activity, Wheel Love looks at the situation and asks, "how can we adapt this to make it available?" Wheel Love offers a wide range of activities for differently-abled athletes, including:
Wheelchair Basketball
Adaptive Kayaking
Adaptive Skiing
Bowling
Fishing
And with the help of generous donations, volunteer therapists, and a community of supporters, they are soon to offer more activities. Take a look at some of Wheel Love's up-coming events here {{hyperlink to community events page}}.
"Give Me a Sawzall and a Hammer"
This is the kind of mentality needed to make a difference. To not let boundaries or expectations get in the way of accomplishing something great.
Wheel Love is showing not only those who are wheelchair-bound but everyone who thought their goals were too high to reach... that WE CAN. By showing and supporting others it is possible to step outside their comfort zone (and succeed), Wheel Love is making a difference every day.
"That first step is scary as hell, but then you're like, 'Damn, that was cool. That was neat.'"
Kellen Smith
Watching a child with autism -- who was resistant to kayaking in the unknown waters at first -- laugh with joy and never want to leave... allows others to see what is actually possible (not what they thought was possible).
There are no restrictions to be a part of the Wheel Love community -- because there are no restrictions on what is possible for people. So, what's your excuse?
Life doesn't stop moving. There are moments that are going to be tough -- really tough -- and moments that are going to suck. These are the times when we need to lean in and embrace the suck. As the first month of 2020 comes to a close, and most individuals are ready to give up on their goals, this is your motivation to keep rolling.
Share The Love
For those that wish to make a contribution or share the love of Wheel Love -- visit wheellove.org or visit them on Facebook @WheelLoveSWVA!
Know of someone who would love to be involved? Maybe you'd love to be involved in Wheel Love -- email Kellen at wheelloveswva@gmail.com