posts . She likes the idea of having the class in an outdoor environment .
“ I love that you can be riding through the park and you see everyone exercising and you say , ‘ You know what , I think I am going to stop and go .’ And DJ ’ s probably the most welcoming person you will meet , like ‘ Hey , get on in here ; come on ,’” she said . “ That ’ s what ’ s so amazing about him because not everyone has that welcoming personality .”
A lifelong athlete , Mitchell said he has always been physically fit from playing sports , especially basketball , his whole life . But , he said he knows a little bit about starting anew . BTBY came about after his own personal struggles in life .
“ Some things that I went through personally , such as , I guess I did not know I was depressed at the time , not feeling comfortable with myself , comparing myself to others , not too happy about life , those types of things . I was able to come out of it , so I wanted to help other people come out ,” he said .
His days are now spent working as a personal trainer and serving as founder and president of BTBY . Besides the exercise classes , BTBY hosts several basketball camps each year to increase interest in the sport and to raise funds for its back-to-school giveaway of school uniforms , backpacks and school supplies . The organization also joined forces with Magnolia Mouths Media and the Stronger Together Foundation to host a health and fitness expo in Meridian in mid-January .
Mitchell said he is trying to reach more people with his message of striving to reach your full potential and being the best version of yourself that you can be .
“ The goal is to reach all people . It doesn ’ t matter your height , your weight , your size , your background , your ethnicity , your religion , your political beliefs ,” he said . “ We don ’ t care about none of that . We see people as human beings . We want to power unity .”
“ We are trying to enlighten people with the importance of being comfortable with yourself ,” Mitchell said .
Anna Hover , whose nonprofit media company Magnolia Mouths Media has spotlighted Mitchell ’ s BTBY fitness initiative in the past , credits the Saturday morning classes with helping to improve her physical health this year .
Hover , who has several health conditions , was reluctant to join the class at first after receiving invitations from Mitchell to come check it out .
“ I actually walked around the lake one time and saw the group and I wouldn ’ t come join because I felt intimidated ,” she said . “ Now I realize how silly that was .”
Hover said she has found the group ’ s members inspirational and the camaraderie engaging . She encourages anyone who comes upon the exercise group to join in and not let feelings of insecurity keep them from taking part .
“ You don ’ t have to be physically fit to come ,” she said . “ When I first started , there were many times when I sat and watched . They did modified exercises .”
In this group , everyone can find a place to feel comfortable with exercising , she said .
“ I try to promote this all the time and I know people won ’ t come because there may be some fear , but there ’ s nothing to be scared of ,” Hover said . “ This is a wonderful group of diverse people from all walks of life with one goal and that is to live a healthier , happy life .” M
Anna Hover , in the black shirt . follows the exercise routine during a B . T . B . Y . class one Saturday morning in December at Bontia Lakes Park . The fitness class is taught by Darrin Mitchell Jr . of BTBY Way of Life .
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