Local nonprofit to receive donation from Hardin Valley resident

Jeff Hamlin, a 59-year-old gym enthusiast from Knoxville, Tenn., is making waves in the fitness world by entering Muscle & Fitness Magazine’s “Mr. Health & Fitness” contest. But his motivation goes beyond personal achievement – he hopes to inspire the youth of his community to prioritize physical fitness and overall well-being.

Hamlin believes that taking care of one’s health is crucial for a fulfilling life. “If you keep putting it off getting started, you know you’re looking at health issues, medicines that keep you alive,” he said. “If you’re proactive and you’re always on the front edge of putting good nutrition in your body and exercising, well, you can not only add years to your life but add more life to your years.”

While initially hesitant to enter the contest, Hamlin now has a bigger goal in mind – donating the $20,000 grand prize to the Emerald Youth Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting health and fitness among children in the area.

John Crooks, the director of marketing and communications at the Emerald Youth Foundation, expressed gratitude for Hamlin’s generosity. “You know, $20,000 is not a small change, and so that would certainly go a long way to supporting our health and fitness programs with young people and, you know, doing the work that we do,” he said.

By participating in the contest and supporting the Emerald Youth Foundation, Hamlin hopes to spread the message of the importance of health and fitness to the community. The first round of voting in the contest ends on May 16, and Hamlin’s efforts are already making a positive impact on the lives of many.