The Anchor Impact Fund is an organization that provides student-athletes at Vanderbilt University a chance to use their name, image and likeness to help promote local causes. Bradley Ashmore is a senior offensive lineman, guard and tackle on the Vanderbilt football team and chose Special Olympics Tennessee as his non-profit to support this year.
Recently, Ashmore helped with a Fit-4-Life® class, coaching a couple of Special Olympics Tennessee athletes at D1 Training West Nashville. The Special Olympics Tennessee Fit-4-Life® program is a wellness project focused on fitness, nutrition, and mental health for teens and adults ages 15+ with intellectual disabilities. It's a 9-week program that encompasses pre-and-post-biometric and fitness testing outcomes, along with once-a-week group workouts and weekly nutrition and healthy lifestyle education. Classes are now offered all across the state thanks to partnerships at local gyms and facilities.
“I interned here at D1 West Nashville this summer so that was my connection," said Ashmore. "I was able to come here today and work with the Fit-4-Life® class with coach Brie and we got to train some athletes and had a good time doing it.”
The athletes did footwork training, strength-building exercises and cardio. Ashmore both coached and participated in the activities. It's not too often that Special Olympics Tennessee athletes are able to receive one-on-one coaching from an NCAA Division I athlete.
“I wanted to do this when I was here this summer but never got around to it so I’m excited to be able to get in here and help the class,” said Ashmore.
Having college athletes like Ashmore working with Special Olympics Tennessee athletes and encouraging them to be the best they can be was an uplifting experience. It not only made a difference in the lives of the athletes training, but also with Ashmore.
