Page 15 - Florida Sentinel 12-25-15 Edition

Features
Personal Trainer Is Passionate About His Work
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
What started out as a per- sonal challenge for a young man in Tampa, became a passion and now is his ca- reer.
Devin Smith, a 2011 graduate of the University of South Florida with a Bache- lor of Science degree in Health and Exercise Sci- ences, is a Certified Personal Trainer, who spends a lot of time helping others at Any- time Fitness, 9225 N. 56th St.
in Temple Terrace.
As a youngster, Devin
was a little on the overweight side. As a teenager, he took a bit more interest in what was going on with him and that started his passion of being fit “because I believe fitness can change lives.”
Certified through the Na- tional Academy of Sports Medicine, as well as a Certi- fied Strength and Condition- ing Specialist through the National Strength and Con- ditioning Association, Smith said he encourages
ically for them. He recom- mends dedicating 1 hour, 3 times a week to whatever program you select. “I’m more about teaching a lifestyle – not a quick fix,” he said, “which entails changing your diet and having disci- pline.”
Smith, a Tampa native, is the son of the late Mrs. Curtistine Jones Garner and William Garner, and the grandson of Mrs. Ros- alie Jones. He is 29 and single.
In his spare time, Smith enjoys playing basketball and cooking. Ironically, he gets requests for his cakes. He also recently took an interest in kickboxing.
What’s in his future? With D. E. S. Fitness (Disci- pline, Effort, Satisfaction) as his personal business ven- ture, Smith plans on getting a Master’s degree in Athletic Training and Sports Medi- cine to expand the doors to his career.
“I am passionate about working with those who are determined to improve their fitness and to live a healthier life,” he said.
‘Skateboarding Twins’ Continue To Train For The National Stage
Dwight Norton (center) and his sons, Darius and Damari.
those he works with “to set long term goals with little goals in between. Use baby steps; don’t try to do it all at once.” Most of his clients are middle-aged.
Smith said over time he has lost about 100 pounds. He found that portion con- trol is very important when considering weight loss. For those who are preparing to
indulge heavily over the Christmas/New Year’s holi- days, his advice is to “enjoy the food, but make sure you get into some kind of physi- cal activity to work it off. Just use common sense.”
He spends a lot of time with his clients, helping them to set goals – working on strengths, weaknesses and developing a program specif-
DEVIN SMITH ...Certified Personal Trainer
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
As some fathers envision their sons playing football, bas- ketball, or baseball, Dwight Norton said from the time his twin sons could walk, the only sport they’ve been interested in is skateboarding.
Darius and Damari, both 11, have actually grown up around skateboarding parks, and for the past couple of years, they have become celebrities at the Skateboard Park on Colum- bus Drive.
Mr. Norton said he’s never had problems out of his sons, academically or socially.
“As far as school is con- cerned, they’re both great stu- dents at Clemmie Rose James Elementary, and they compete in the annual Math Bowl.
“Like most parents, they understand their skateboard- ing activity is made possible only by their success in the classroom.”
Mr. Norton said his sons want to be the youngest skate- boarding champions ever, and the first twin champions.
“Damarius said his goal is to win a title, and Darius was named the Most Improved skater in their under 12 divi-
sion.
“I think it’s great that young
boys want to do something be- sides hanging out all the time and just watching life pass them by. They need to get in- volved in something positive and it needs to be something they enjoy. They must be in a position of always challenging themselves, and never settling for almost or being close. I want them to be winners.”
Mr. Norton said because his boys are still virtually un- known it’s been difficult getting sponsors to help with the cost of them competing and travel- ing.
“They have garnered a cou- ple of sponsors, but nothing close to what they’ll need to continue competing and travel- ing.
“We’ve setup a Go- FundMe account with hopes of getting help with the ex- penses that come with this sport.”
Mr. Norton said it’s im- portant that all parents under- stand there is a financial obligation that comes with competing in skateboarding, so it may be wise to hold fundrais- ers or find sponsors before you allow them to compete on a large scale.
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