It's Time To Get M.A.D.E.!

It’s Time to Get M.A.D.E.

By: LaToyur Tisdale

Get M.A.D.E.? I know you’re wondering, “what is getting M.A.D.E.”? Make All Desire and Envy (M.A.D.E. ) Fitness is the new next-level fitness program that is taking middle Tennessee by storm. M.A.D.E. is a collaboration of personal trainers who are redefining health and fitness in Nashville and the surrounding areas. Founded in 2009 by personal trainers Omar Edward and Bronson Colbert, M.A.D.E. Fitness is introducing new creative, innovative, and challenging ways of promoting fitness by using strong physical training and intense boot camp sessions.

In 2009, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) reported that the obesity rates in the United States for adults and youth across the nation were 27.1%. This rate was an alarming 32.8 % for the state of Tennessee. Tennessee was rated as 3^rd worst-ranking state in terms of health. M.A.D.E. is now working diligently on making middle Tennessee a healthier and more active state. Their clientele is increasing as the inches and weight of their clients decrease. The results of attending personal or group sessions have left clients looking and feeling better. M.A.D.E. offers various packages from personal training sessions to partner sessions or group sessions. The individual sessions are customized workouts catered to the personal goals, pace and physical needs of the client. These sessions emphasize the precise amount of core training, cardio and weight training to get the client in the absolute best possible shape. They also offer group sessions that include a set amount of cardio, core training and strength resistance that makes the fitness experience for any community or social organization exciting, exhilarating as well as supportive.

Recent partnerships with local Nashville and Rutherford county organizations have expanded the exposure of M.A.D.E. from the gym to the community. In December 2010, M.A.D.E. co-sponsored a Christmas “Boot Camp Toy Drive” with the Urban League Young Professionals of Middle Tennessee. Getting the community in shape with maximizing the holiday experience for a child on Christmas, this is what M.A.D.E. Fitness is all about. With the obesity rate among the youth at an alarming 16.9% in Tennessee, M.A.D.E. Fitness has extended their guidance from adults to the youth, In March 2011 M.A.D.E. Fitness worked in conjunction with the Community Take Back Initiative Task Force at the Real Talk Real Teens Action Summit on bringing awareness and preventing childhood obesity. M.A.D.E Fitness facilitated the morning “Wake-Up Call” mini-workout and during lunch facilitated an interactive workshop with the youth on the importance of nutrition and healthy eating choices.

Being a native of Tennessee, I was disappointed at the statistics mentioned above. But in my own challenge to be M.A.D.E., last year I began working with personal trainer Omar Edwards of M.A.D.E. Fitness. I was (am still) considered obesed. When I first began working out with Omar, my idea of cardio was a “brisk walk” on a treadmill. I had prided myself on 2 minutes on the elliptical and was convinced that the bare minimum was good enough. My first session was 5:30 am and the warm-up consisted of 3 sets of 20 jumping jacks and 3 sets of touching my toes 12 times alternating right hand left toe, left hand right toes. This is the WARM-UP and not the exercise. Simple enough? After about 5 jumping jacks and many words I’d be ashamed to let my grandmother hear me say; I was winded and DONE!! After a month, I graduated to doing the warm-ups (without passing out) and 2 sets of workouts that consisted of cardio and weight training. 3 months in, Omar had taken a woman that was prided on brisk walks and 2 minutes on the elliptical and transformed her into an obesed woman that was up to 45 minutes on the elliptical BEFORE the training session. The training sessions not only deviated my attention from focusing on my surroundings but more importantly on my health and well being. I was instructed to keep a food journal and soon learned how to make better eating choices (fast and fried foods are never good, even if it’s a vegetable). I also learned that failure is not the lack of success but simply not trying. There were exercises he had me try that didn’t work well with me, but he introduced me to alternative workouts that would get the same results. I received the best training, 200% of positive reinforcement as well as complete honesty when he knew I was being lazy and not giving it my all. Since then, I had the pleasure of attending a boot camp session and the team work among everyone who makes up M.A.D.E. Fitness was commendable. They truly work as a team and their cohesiveness made the environment even more comfortable for their clients. So I am not only a supporter of M.A.D.E. Fitness but I have experienced first-hand the workouts and nutritional assistance. My starting weight was in the mid 300’s (closer to 400 than I ever want to be in life) and now I am in the 200’s. So when they say you are getting M.A.D.E., you really are. It’s a makeover, physically, mentally and spiritually. I had the opportunity to ask the trainers of M.A.D.E. Fitness a few questions:

YM: Who makes up M.A.D.E Fitness?

M.A.D.E .: M.A.D.E. Fitness consist of Victoria Cunningham (Co-founder/Personal trainer), Chasity Bell (Business Development Specialist), Cecilia Crenshaw (Business Development Specialist), Bronson Colbert (Co-founder/Personal trainer) and Omar Edward (Co-founder/Personal trainer).

YM: Where did you meet?

M.A.D.E. : Victoria, Bronson and I (Omar) met at a previous gym we used to work at. From the moment we met, we all knew we were great trainers and had a deep passion for fitness. We just had to find a way to convey our abilities and passion to the masses. That's where Ms. Bell and Ms. Crenshaw stepped in and got us on the right path to display our talents to the masses.

YM: How and why did you choose the name Make All Desire and Envy (M.A.D.E.) Fitness?

M.A.D.E. : We chose the name Make All Desire and Envy Fitness (M.A.D.E) because deep down inside nobody wants to be unhealthy. Everyone desires to be fit mentally, physically and spiritually. Although the result of working out is seen in one's outside appearance, it does far more for the mind and soul by lifting one's self esteem and making them mentally strong. If you can transform yourself into the healthiest and fittest you've ever been, it will give you the confidence to concur any obstacle. That's something to be desired and envied and we provide that.

YM: What made you both want to be physical trainers? Why is the health and wellness of others important to you?

M.A.D.E. : (Omar Edward) I've played football all my life. In college, I suffered a knee injury that forced me to challenge myself to get back in shape. Until then being healthy came naturally to me because I was a fit athlete. During my rehabilitation process is when I develop a passion for training.

M.A.D.E. : (Bronson Colbert) I've always been engaged in some form of physical activity such as football, basketball and running. After high school I attended Columbia State Junior College where I became a member of the basketball team. While there I developed a strong interest in fitness. After leaving Columbia State Junior College that passion for fitness still held a deep place in my heart. Ever since then I've been determine to turn my passion for fitness into a career.

YM: I’ve heard that a large portion of fitness is not just working out but what you eat as well? Are there “healthy” foods that people seeking to lose weight should avoid?

M.A.D.E. : Eating right is the main aspect for being healthy. It doesn't matter how hard you workout if you’re not eating right. Here are some foods that will help you reach you fitness goals and some you should avoid.

***Good Foods***
Avocado
Fish
Nuts
Grapefruit

***Bad Foods***
Simple Carbohydrates - Sweets - Candy, Cookies, Pastries etc...
Fast Food
Fried Food
Sodas and Artificial Juices

YM: For the person who is “intimidated” with a public workout, what advice or words of motivation that you have to get them past that fear or anxiety?

M.A.D.E. : For someone who fears public workouts and are intimidated by group classes, we suggest this: Think of everyone around them as a support group. We definitely understand how someone could feel that way but here at M.A.D.E. Fitness we think of each other as a team. We encourage participants of the classes and clients to get to know each other and develop friendships. If someone is having a difficult time to complete an exercise or eating healthy we can support one another. Getting in shape has to be a lifestyle change and it can be challenging at times. So if you can develop a friendship with a group of people that share your same goals in life it will make your journey to success a lot easier.

YM: What is a future goal of MADE? Where do you see M.A.D.E. Fitness in 5 years?

M.A.D.E : 5 years M.A.D.E. Fitness will have multiple gym locations across America.
Fitness DVDs will be sold nationally along with other avenues making M.A.D.E. Fitness a household name. It is our desire to start our own charity foundation, so we can always give to those who are less fortunate.

YM: Any words of advice for the YUR Magazine readers?

M.A.D.E : We want to thank YUR Magazine for believing in our dream. Also for
allowing us to speak to your readers and tell them who we are and what we stand for as an
organization. If you want to get in the best shape of your life come get made with the trainers of M.A.D.E. Fitness.

YM: The trainers of M.A.D.E. Fitness have the desire and passion to see EACH client, regardless of age or size, in the best health possible. Believe me I know from experience. So are you with me? Are you ready? Let’s get M.A.D.E. !!

For more information about M.A.D.E. Fitness or the date and times of boot camp sessions, contact MADEFitnessTN@gmail.com or visit their website at www.MADEFitness.webs.com.

GEM - Review

Last Friday I had the pleasure to seeing the stage play GEM (Good Existing Men) written and directed by Michael L. Walker. This play was about the men of the Monroe family. Centered around B.B. Monroe, faithful husband, wise uncle, caring brother and devoting father, he is the rock and voice of reason of his family. His younger brother L. B., who is dealing with the challenges of life as a result of his own due to mistakes and bad choices in women. Jalil, the youngest of Monroe men, is living a playa lifestyle but soon learns that the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence. Bobby, the cousin, is going through a divorce but discovers his own value and worth as a man and mate.

What I liked the most about this play is that these men were ordinary men with imperfections but they were still good men. Also, these men had the support of positive women in their lives. B. B. (Clark Harris) had his wife, the lovely and spirited Sherri (Christian Riley), by his side. Sherri was a strong woman yet knew when to stand behind and support her husband. This husband and wife team was the glue that held this family together even when things seem to be falling apart in their own house. Jalil (Aaron Rosebud) had the support of his girlfriend Lisa (Celicia Reed). Lisa who was taken for granted but Jalil, who soon recognized the treasure, he had in this woman. Bobby (Eric Williams), who was unappreciated by his ex-wife Maya (Alita Brielle Terry), opened his heart to Tara (Christina Kretchik) who nurtured this good man and saw the GEM in him. And then there were the feisty aunts, LiLi (Sesizrike Shaw) and Aunt Nita (Thelma Hardesty) who adds just the right amount of spice, wisdom and laughter to this family structure.

I commend Mr. Walker and his star cast for the work and time they put into this play. The actors in this play brought each character to life. I know someone like or similar to each character in this play.

GEM was a brilliantly colorful display of the drama, love and support in the modern African American family. The family members took the good, the bad and the ugly of life and made it work. No life is without trials and tribulations but it’s how you rise together that really matters. This play is worth seeing again and definitely recommended for women and especially men to check. You never know, you might have a GEM right under your nose.

Real Talk Real Teen Action Summit

Nashville, TN — Being a teenager is very exciting with being exposed to new opportunities and seeing the world with limitless possibilities. Yet for some local teens this journey is laced with obstacles like homelessness, discrimination, teen pregnancy, bullying, gang violence, teen domestic violence, self-esteem, drugs and alcohol only to name a few. On Saturday March 26, 2011, the Community Take Back Initiative Task Force (CTBI) in collaboration with Nashville Community Coalition for Youth Safety (NCCYS) by IMF Peniel hosted the first annual Real Talk Real Teen Action Summit. The RTRT summit was organized the Community Take Back Initiative Task Force (CTBI), which is collaboration of individuals and local organizations and agencies from across Middle Tennessee. This one day event brought out almost 100 youth between the ages of 13 - 18 to the Tennessee State University Avon Williams campus where this event was held. Created for youth by youth, Real Talk Real Teen Action Summit was designed to generate youth driven dialogue and provide immediate access to local resources that address some of the pressing safety issues our local youth. The summit’s workshops, included topics like “Creative Expression through Spoken Word” facilitated by Youth Speaks Nashville, “College Readiness” hosted by the Oasis Center and “Erasing the Stigma” facilitated by Tennessee Voices for Children, and “Beyond the Influence of Gang Violence” facilitated by the Preston Taylor Boys and Girls Club. During lunch, the youth were taught about nutrition and healthy eating choices by M.A.D.E. Fitness after which they created collages that represent how they view themselves and their peers. Organizers later arranged for the youth to travel next door to the downtown YMCA for the “Teen Shine” talent showcase. This talent platform not only spotlighted the youth eager to display their gifts and talents but also provided an opportunity for them to bond their peers over days event. . For more information about the Real Talk Real Teen Action Summit, email CTBINasahville@gmail.com or visit the website at http://realtalkrealteens.webs.com/

Get PLUGed in!!

PLUG (People Linked Under God), a nonprofit organization created by Bobby “lil Buddy” Boyle and his wife Temeshia Boyle, was founded in 2009 in Hardeman County of West Tennessee. This spiritual based organization was founded on the importance of family, unification and community peace. In an interview with the organization founder, Bobby “lil Buddy” Boyle, he stated “We stand behind our members. We walk along side one another, not behind or ahead. We are all brothers and sister whether we were born by blood or just in the community. We want to show what the power of God can do, once implemented back into the communities. Our community service is free of charge; there is no cost to the love of God and the love of one another. “
PLUG serves as mentors in the community. This mentorship extends from men and women to the community youth. They teach principles of self respect as well as the respect of others. Rapidly growing in numbers, this organization is surpassing county and state borders. Their message of “Fighting to do right, not fighting to do wrong” is counteracting current neighborhood violence (domestic and gang). They have already appeared on local news stations for their abundance good deeds demonstrated throughout West Tennessee. Bobbie “lil Buddy” Boyle, states “We want to change the face of the world. There is power in numbers. If criminal and violent gangs can make the history, so can we! Love conquers all! We are real regular people; therefore there is no condemnation within our group. We have standards but we are not judgmental.”

Being a native of Whiteville, Tennessee (Hardeman county), quite naturally I was thrilled to hear about the community coming together to make change. My younger brother Lorenzo Tisdale Jr. (current member of PLUG), began telling me about this organization in December 2010. The compassion and excitement he expressed when speaking about PLUG and its founders sparked my interest about this organization. I was first intrigued and now I am plugged into PLUG.

For more information about PLUG, contact 731-659-1538, 731-254-2462 (hotline), or email PeopleLinkUnderGod@yahoo.com. WEBSITE COMING SOON!!

He Only Has Eyes For Me

He only has eyes for me

He only has eyes for me,deep, dark
piercing through my soultearing me apart piece by piece
bit by bitmuscle bone and flesh all under x-ray examination but
he only has eyes for me
When it's good
It's good
When it's bad
It's worse
Windblown furniture
Pictures and plates tossed to & fro
Uncontrollably
Leaning trying to break the fall and soften the blow
but it only becomes stronger and harder to withstand
no place to run or hide
& then silencee
erie, calming, almost peaceful
but the un rested soul senses that this is temporary.

he only has eyes for me
fictional conversations with friends about the good times when memories replay factual scenarios
I’m pasting glitter n gold on stones in attempt to soften cold hard glares that at any moment
can increase with the whirlwind
destroying the perception of paradise
he only has eyes for me
I thought I could survive tornados and floods
But now floods are forming from the tears that have collected on the side of my bed from countless nights of silent suffering
Tsunamis wash away former images of me,
thoughts of peace
wishing for a calmness that was a result peace and not fear
a stillness that followed meditation and not degradation

tides are pulling up all filth and trash
reminded of what was discarded by others but has become my reality

Fighting for air
but each breath is getting hard to take, harder to fake
I'm struggling just to stay afloat

what was once a child’s toy, not meant for adults
now has become a life preserver helping me maintain my only sense of connection to the land of the living.
Future goals to see the 3rd Heaven, beyond the clouds
But I fight to stay in a earthly hell
Still believing that he has eyes for me.
He eyes now effect me and the am-ness of I
distant memories of self has broken past the surface
and I choose to fight one more day
The am-ness in I have decided that distant memories will become future aspirations and his eyes are only temporary
The best way to avoid his eyes is to relocate
Swimming toward hope and faith
riding them with determination until strength has re emerged
And now the am-ness in I have endured
Survived
and now
moved on to retaking and rebuilding what’s rightfully mine
His eyes were only for a season and I have now moved to places where his eyes can no longer haunt or torment me
My peace can be re gained and my I’s can now see beyond earthly realms and embrace the fullness and wholeness in me.
His eyes didn’t define me nor will they break me
but I am a better me
He said he only had eyes for me but I was ready to be rid of his eyes and his storm.

(c) copyrighted 2010 LaToyur Tisdale

Behind the Mask of One Man’s Mind

Behind the Mask of One Man’s Mind

When I sat down with poet John Mask, I really didn’t know who to expect. This author, poet, and motivational speaker has one of the kindest spirits that I have ever come across. Originally from Gary, Indiana now residing in West Tennessee, John Mask has been traveling the country spreading messages of faith and healing with the active promotion of his new collection of poems entitled “One Man’s Mind”. John has been speaking everywhere from the churches to the local open mics. He has taken this book of poetry and created a platform to inspire and motivate men and women throughout the nation.

One of his poems that speak volumes is the piece entitled “I Hear the Screams”. This poem is brimming with compassion of a person reaching out to a victim of domestic violence. Mask’s poetry covers topics from faith, spiritual hypocrisy to ups and downs in relationships. Poems like “Mother “and “My Heart Cries” speak to the soul of the reader and express the vulnerability of real emotions.

My Heart Cries

The More I look into the mirror
Nothing seems any clearer,
Why do I cry from all the pain inside?
When I’m happy, that’s when I’m sad.
When I’m upset, that’s when I’m glad.
Things are all mixed-up; yet I can’t fix them up.
My heart still cries,
Trying to pick up and start all over,
The more I try to stand up straight,
The more I bend my shoulders,
Why oh Why does my heart still cry?
The more I try to stop the pain, the more I die inside.
I pray everyday for the pain to go away
But I can’t lie, nor would I deny; the more I pray
The more my heart still cries.
By John J. Mask © 2009

Transparent in his message and on paper and person, John is genuine with his readers and fans. In a conversation with YUR Magazine earlier this year John stated that he never imagined his poetry would impact people the way that it has. He has been contacted by both men and women who’ve been moved by his words. This may be “One Man’s Mind but his message is reaching the masses. In November 2011, Mask is due to release another book entitled “Revealing the Mask”. His readers are anxiously waiting the revealing of this new work of revelation and enlightenment that all began with one man’s mind.

Both books will be available for purchase at Amazon.com.


One Man’s Mind (ISBN 978-0-9818956-3-5) was published through Curry Brother’s Marketing and Publishing . http://www.currybrotherspublishing.com/


Revealing the Mask was published through Feel Me Inc. Publishing Division. http://www.feelmepublishing.com/

**** For more information on John Mask, contact the websites below. ****

http://www.facebook.com/ (Keyword search John Mask)
http://www.google.com/ (Keyword search John Mask or John J. Mask)

2009

2009

Arriving in a chariot pulled by horses of promise,
promise of wealth, good health and a long awaited success,
each New Years Eve praying the same prayer and making the same proclamation.

This is My Year, last year almost took me out but this is the year.
365 days lead to 10 years.
10 years, 3 months and 20 days later of the same proclamation,
now anger and discouragement sets in,
bitterness towards “passa” for saying your change is gonna come.
Well my change has been coming since Sam Cooke bellowed those notes.

A degree, house, 3 cars and 3 death certificates later,
feeling as stable as a mobile home on a vault line in Cali.
Heart been broken so much from disappointment that its consistency can be sifted like sand be the sea shore.

Perfectly wearing that smile written about by Hughes,
faking the funk so much that even I began to believe the lies that rolls so sweetly off the tongue,
fooling surface friends and concerning those who know me too well,
unaware of the rise and fall of the sun and moon,
stars go unnoticed,
even the trees and flowers are ignored for more important things like
bills and bill collectors
late mortgages,
and notes that were not left by ones of unconditional love,
shivering with fear at the buzz of the phone,
buckling at the knees with the open of mail stamped with last notice.

You see it was divine in 05, fixed in 06, clever in 07, late 08, left behind in 09 and now we stand at the threshold on twenty ten
baggage in tow
every dream, vision, and promise
tucked neatly in K Mart luggage awaiting for it’s time of exposure to light
shaking with anticipation of manifestation

I feel like a soldier
battle scars and war wounds
memories of yesterday haunting me,
got people in my ear telling me to forget about it and
focus on a brand new tomorrow.

The day I had to pick up 3 death certificates, were once tomorrows

brand new tomorrows

As I take one step to the door of 2010 and reflect on 2009
I can’t help but remember soulful songs that pricked my heart and drew tears of happiness,
words of poetry from the lips of homeland soldiers in community trenches that
spiritually see the bright future of a discarded generation.
familiar gestures of kindness acted out towards a stranger,
friendships bonded,
and blessings of the Almighty coming forth from unfertile stones.

As I enter into 2010 I can’t help but awaken and shake my faith,
the size of a mustard seed but has the power of an unseen yet Powerful God,

As I move into a new decade,
I feel grateful for second chances,
thankful for joy, peace, protection and favor,
all of that overriding past hurts,

I am here
now
here
present
alive
here
walking
here
breathing
here
alert
here
I step forth
take another step
and another
and await for the new chapter to unfold.

Author: L. Tisdale

(c) Copyright 2009