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A few weekends ago, I was invited (for the second year) to attend Roland William's ( NFL player for the RAMS) YOUTH LIFELINE OF AMERICA Free Lifeskills and Football camp in St Louis, MO. As a guest, I brought my sister Zakiya. I was excited when I found out last year that they would fly my guest out to accompany me. Most of you who know Zakiya, know that she is the best date ever. She is always the evening's best entertainment! This was an incredible weekend. It kicked off with a red carpet/charity auction at a Mazerati dealership. Last year, I can recall how funny it was to watch Zakiya freak out when she found out that she was going to walk the red carpet with me. I just told her to smile and look good. LOL. Im telling you, this is where all my posing knowledge paid off. I would stand in front of a camera, do my "heel to toe" pose and smile like I've been rockin the red carpet for years. Internally, I felt as weird as she did.... thinking "seriously guys, its just me....really". Meanwhile, there are big time NFL players and actors walking in behind me. Unfortunately, I have NO CLUE whoare because I do not watch TV and keep up with sports. Yeah, last year I met and hung with Ravens star Ray Lewis and had no idea who he was.... So, when he hit on me, I didnt act too impressed. LOL. Kiddin, I was impressed actually....b/c he is super fine! :)
Anyways, back to the auction. We mingled and walked around checking out the scenery. When the auction began, it didnt take long for Zakiya and I to realize how much money we DIDNT make. LOL. We ended up co-sponsoring a kid to go to camp. We are delighted that we were smart enough to realize that 2 bank accounts can do more damage than one.
The next day was our first day at the camp. We got to visit a childrens' hospital and youth center. I was accompanied by actor Las Alanzo from STOMP the YARD and FAST and FURIOUS, my buddy Justice from American Gladiators and NBA Hall of Famer Jo Jo White among others. It was an honor to speak to these kids with these guys. I especially was inspired by Jo Jo who told the kids that THEY were our most valuable human resource and that THEY would inherit the future. At the children's hospital, I got to visit kids in the ICU. We werent allowed them why they were ill and in the ICU. This was difficult for me. TO see them in such circumstances and not know what had happened was heart breaking. But being a part of putting a smile on their face was priceless. I was happy to be alive and serving in that way on that day.
The next day, I was out on the field coaching football. It was awesome, I totally acted like I knew what I was doing. I just yelled at them and kept saying..."Come on, show me someth'n GOOD!" haha! When we went inside, we had a panel discussion. The highlight of this was me bragging about how high my plyo push ups got off the ground. I did a series of plyo push ups for them and totally wowed them. I think I officially put on FITNESS on the map for these kids, and also the other NFL players who had their mouths wide open in amazement. I must say, it felt good to get that kin of respect. :)
I am single and do not have kids yet. So I can just tell you that this camp was a dear treat to me. My life is often consumed with contest prep or helping other adult women reach their fitness goals. Spending the weekend with kids who just want to have a dream they can believe in was so rewarding. It confirms that every bit of work I've put into my career as a competitor is paying off in my influence in areas like these! God is good and knows his plans for me.
No matter what you do, remember that someone is watching you and looking up to you. Its an awesome responsibility!
Have a great weekend and I'll see you at the WA State!
    
Tanj
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Tanji
