Photo By Taikeila Dale | Sgt. 1st Class Perry Taylor gets a workout of his own during his lunchtime workout...... read more read more
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By Staff Sgt. Taikeila Chancey
USARCENT Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. – While deployed to Iraq in 2007, Sgt. 1st Class Perry Taylor sustained serious back injuries when the convoy he was riding in was struck by a roadside bomb. In 2013, the Campbell, Ala., native lost his mother to diabetes, in large part due to her poor eating habits.
Taylor, 45, chose physical training over surgery to recover from his injury and vowed to maintain a strict diet to improve his overall health. Now, Taylor has turned his dedication to his personal health into a passion for helping others.
"When I see a person who is overweight and struggling, if asked, I will go above and beyond the call of duty to help them because I see my mom in them,” he said. “I don't ever want anyone to go through that pain, if I can help it.”
According to the research firm Gallup Inc., the adult U.S. obesity rate increased in 2013 to 27.2 percent, up from 26.2 percent in 2012, and is on pace to surpass all annual average obesity rates since the company began keeping statistics in 2008. In 2013, South Carolina, home of U.S. Army Central, ranked as the seventh most obese state in the United States.
With an ever-growing population suffering from obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, excessive weight gain and heart disease the need to be healthier has never been greater.
U.S. Army soldiers are required to maintain a certain level of physical fitness in accordance with Army regulations. But when Monday-through-Friday physical training alone is not enough, soldiers can look for a different approach to meet or exceed the Army standard.
A personal trainer, like Taylor, is one of the most popular approaches.
Maj. David Riley, a USARCENT personnel plans officer, has attended Taylor’s lunchtime workout session for the last 30 days.
“I have noticed a significant change in my body tone, as well as my overall health,” Riley said. “I feel that allowing Sgt. 1st Class Taylor the chance to change my life has been very effective and motivating.”
Taylor, a 24-year infantryman, newlywed, father and combat veteran has trained more than 200 soldiers and has written fitness plans to assist many in meeting or exceeding Army standards. Taylor's motto is "Let me change your life."
Taylor’s life changed during two deployments.
While deployed in 2001, during the initial invasion of Iraq, Taylor and other soldiers were hit with a depleted uranium shell, while they were attempting to seize Baghdad International Airport.
“I was nearly paralyzed on my left side for a period of time requiring steroid shots and physical therapy,” he said.
During another deployment to Iraq in 2007, a convoy he was riding in was hit by a roadside bomb, injuring Taylor’s back.
“I was informed by doctors that my back had a 25 percent chance of healing on its own without surgery,” Taylor said. “I chose not to have the surgery and immediately put more effort into living healthy and being physically fit."
While visiting with soldiers at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., Taylor saw many of them overcoming incredible odds and injuries.
“My point here is no matter how far gone you think you may be, there is always hope and a healthy solution, if you are determined,” he said. “I tell everyone not to let an injury hold them back; there is almost always a way.”
Taylor not only became a personal trainer, but is also certified in Bootcamp, Tabata, indoor spin, extreme circuit training, intense mixed performance accelerated cross training, and is a licensed Insanity instructor.
Taylor says he will always be available for a soldier who needs a helping hand becoming healthier.
Staff Sgt. Alicia Lance, who recently gave birth, is a recent first-time attendee of Taylor’s lunchtime training session.
“I joined the class, not only to get back in shape, but for my overall physical health. I’m happy I decided to join and feel assured I will get just what I came here for,” Lance said.
“I love helping people and having the ability to help them change their lives,” Taylor said. “Being able to see the increase in their self-confidence and overall health makes me incredibly happy."
| Date Taken: | 03.11.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 03.11.2014 04:06 |
| Story ID: | 121809 |
| Location: | SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Hometown: | CAMPBELL, ALABAMA, US |
| Web Views: | 78 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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