YOUR KALAMAZOO FBBC EXCLUSIVE JOURNAL 4026 S. Westnedge Ave., Suite 1, Kalamazoo, MI 49008 — www.fitbodykzoo.com
THE MENTORS WHO MADE ME TWO PEOPLEWHO PUSHED ME TO BECOMEWHO I AM
Over the years, I’ve had a lot of mentors, coaches, and teachers who have spurred me on, believed in me, and helped me become the person I am today. I’m not sure where I would be without all the guidance I’ve received from these incredible figures, but I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t be good. But whenever I look back on the people who’ve really steered me in the right direction when I needed it, there are two names that come to mind: Kevin Tuitt and Rob Link. Kevin Tuitt was my high school soccer coach. My brother blazed a trail of athletic success through the team before I arrived at the school, so when I came along, Tuitt had an idea of what I was capable of. He was constantly pushing me to become better. He
celebrated every one of my accomplishments, but at the same time, he helped me see how I could constantly improve, both on and off the field. Don’t get me wrong, there were times when his unrelenting belief in me actually sucked, such as those endless runs around the track or the challenging drills he ran me through whenever he got the chance. In a lot of ways, he taught me the sheer importance of pushing through the pain, both literally and figuratively. He took a personal interest in my development not only as a soccer player, but also as a person, and he always made me feel valued, even when other things in my life didn’t. Sometimes he drove me home from practice, and we’d chat in his car along the way about college, life, and absolutely everything that was important. Though I don’t hear from him anymore these days, he left an indelible impact on me for which I’ll forever be grateful. Rob Link is a client here at Fit Body Kalamazoo, but more importantly, he’s my pastor at The River and is a constant inspiration in my everyday life. Ever since I first stepped into that church a few years ago, his impassioned, hopeful sermons have resonated with me. He finds that perfect balance between encouraging people that God always has their back and stressing
that each of us needs to take responsibility for our own personal and spiritual growth. Early on, when I started attending The River, he invited me on a walk, and we still meet up, walk around, and chat about what’s going on. The way he carries his faith inspires me. It’s not just something that he has; it’s something that he actively works on every single day. He’s always authentically himself and doesn’t have any need to prove his worth to anybody else. He makes time for people and offers guidance with compassion and understanding. In many ways, both Rob and Kevin are stark contrasts to my general upbringing, during which mistakes were frowned upon and punishments were harsh and emotionally exhausting. It may sound cheesy, but perhaps the most important thing Rob and Kevin have done for me is to genuinely believe in me, to believe in my capacity to be the best person I can be, without shaking their heads when I stumble. It’s impossible to put into words just how powerful a trust like that truly is, and I’m deeply grateful for the faith they placed in me. –Adrian Shier (269) 271-9170 — PAGE 1
August 2018
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