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 3rd 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.
