Student Spotlight: Johnny

Johnny, an 11 th grader from East Austin College Prep, is embracing the jkl program with high expectations for himself. Johnny had previously dropped out of P.E., but towards the end of his 10 th grade year, he realized he needed a change. Johnny joined the jkl program and immediately started to gain the confidence he needed to push through fitness activities. Johnny is now embarking on his first full year with the program and he is already seeing results. He has gone from a size 3XL T-shirt to a 2XL T-shirt. So far, his favorite activities in the program are spending time in the weight room, running miles in his local community, and meeting new friends. Johnny is hoping that the changes he has made will inspire his peers to join the program as well. His secret ingredient to staying motivated is the music he listens to during his workout sessions. His most current, favorite song is “Nothing Else Matters” by Metallica. In two years, Johnny hopes to enroll in his dream college, Baylor, where he plans to major in medicine to become a pharmacist one day.

Washington Redskins Charitable
Foundation Event

just keep livin Foundation Founders Camila and Matthew McConaughey recently flew to Washington, D.C. to celebrate our organization's continued partnership with the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation. This event, held at FedExField on Monday September 12th, was dubbed a "Pre-Game Party with Matthew McConaughey." The approximately thirty guests, including Redskins fans and supporters of both philanthropic organizations, attended a cocktail reception and informal Q&A with McConaughey before venturing down to the field to watch the teams warm-up before kick-off. Come game time, guests made their way up to the suites to watch the Redskins take on the Pittsburgh Steelers for the first Monday Night Football game of the NFL season. While unfortunately the Redskins ended up losing 38-16, the evening was still a success, with the proceeds raised going to support the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation, the just keep livin Foundation and youth programs across the region.

j.k. livin students “Go Ape” thanks to the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation

The Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation and Go Ape recently helped give our j.k. livin students from Roosevelt High School a life-changing experience! The adventure began with a great interactive safety demonstration and gradually the students were able to participate on zip lines, wooden stairs, balancing ropes and the ultimate Tarzan jump - all in the middle of the woods! This was a great bonding activity that allowed both the students and teachers to build trust, encourage teamwork and ultimately reach their goals. The first few stations were a bit slow due to some hesitation and nerves, but as the trip progressed, the students began building their confidence! We are grateful to the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation for creating such exciting and eye-opening experiences for our jkl students in the D.C area. Read more about the Go Ape adventure on the Redskins website HERE.

Texas Rangers Labor Day 5k Race

This year at the 4th Annual Texas Rangers Labor Day 5k Race, our just keep livin students from Pinkston High School reigned supreme! We had a total of 6 Pinkston students place in the top 11 for the 15-19 age division of the race! Our top 3 female finishers included Heaven (1st place), Ivet (2nd Place), and Laurann (3rd place). All students who placed in the race received Fitbits for their efforts and were acknowledged at the jkl Rangers Field Day! We appreciate the continued support from the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation for providing opportunities for our jkl students to support the community and be active.

Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation
Event and Field Day

On Monday September 19th, students in our Dallas area just keep livin Foundation programs got to experience a special treat, thanks to our longtime partner, the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation. Teens from Eastern Hills High School in Ft. Worth, L.G. Pinkston High School in Dallas, and Sam Houston High School in Arlington were brought to the Rangers Youth Ballpark for an afternoon of fitness and fun, complete with relay races and hula hoop games. In addition, the kids got to meet just keep livin Foundation Founder Matthew McConaughey and his eight-year-old son Levi. Congregating on the shaded bleachers to beat the 100 degree heat, the kids shared their favorite parts of the just keep livin program, and had a great time getting to ask Matthew questions and asking for his advice on how to follow their dreams. They were even treated to a special surprise experience from recently-retired Rangers player, Prince Fielder! The students enjoyed a dinner of Pollo Tropical before being brought over to Globe Life Park, where they watched the Rangers take on the Anaheim Angels and come away with a 3-2 win. Thanks so much to the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation for an amazing continued partnership and for always creating such special opportunities for our students!

Thrive Market Partnership

On September 14th, Thrive Market, who has been so generous with our programs in the past, provided our students at Animo Inglewood Charter High School in Los Angeles with a very special afternoon surprise. Each of the fifty students present at the j.k. livin session received a Thrive Market tote filled with healthy and delicious snacks, which the kids were thrilled to rifle through and rip into right away! In addition, students were each given a coupon redeemable for a free membership with the service (valued at $60), as well as a $100 stipend for purchases on the site, which led to a chorus of enthusiastic cheers. Thrive Market vendor Go Raw joined in the festivities as well, as that company has committed to donating individually packaged pumpkin seeds to Animo Inglewood for the entire school year! We'd like to express our sincere appreciation to Thrive Market for thinking of just keep livin and our amazing students, and we look forward to expanding our partnership.

Coaches Corner with Jenn Zerling

Gallon of Water Multi-Muscle Workout

The summer months are coming to a close, but that doesn't mean your workouts should. When you just don't have time to physically go to the gym, it's possible to grab a quick total body routine right at home, and sometimes right where you are, wherever you are. I know I am not original to introduce the water bottle workout, but I might be original to say, "go with a gallon". While the popular recommendation is to drink half of your body weight in ounces of water a day, I say, carry a gallon jug with you because then you never have to count water bottles or glasses and you get to thoroughly gauge your intake each day. As long as you drink the gallon throughout the day and not too much all at once, it shouldn't be problematic. If you have concerns, please consult your physician.

Get the workout HERE and get ready to get fit anywhere!