Trampoline coach inspiring kids
03/08/2009 Calvin Parker senior has come from rock bottom to inspire a new generation of trampolinists.
Parker coaches trampoline and tumbling at his recently-opened Sonic All-Star Cheer in League City, where he hopes he helps children of all ages soar to new heights.
Most importantly, Parker ensures self-esteem and a way to channel positive energy, reports the Galveston Daily News.
"This is about confidence," he told the news provider. "It's a way for kids to develop and have fun in a safe way. I want to see them excel in and out of the gym."
After suffering early heartache in his childhood, Parker was spotted doing backflips and handstands in his neighbourhood and later became an all star athlete.
"It was perfect for me," Parker said. "All that negative, teenage stuff went away."
He told the newspaper that on trampolines, his emotions were released and got rid of his fears. And when he completed a technique, he felt like he was on top of the world.
Now, Parker acts that way when he sees one of his 229 students complete a jump or grasp a skill. He started with just 41 less than a year ago when he started in League City.
Trampolines can give both mental and physical health benefits to children and adults, and even Nasa extols the health benefits of using rebounders and trains its astronauts in quick, efficient regimes.
Parker coaches trampoline and tumbling at his recently-opened Sonic All-Star Cheer in League City, where he hopes he helps children of all ages soar to new heights.
Most importantly, Parker ensures self-esteem and a way to channel positive energy, reports the Galveston Daily News.
"This is about confidence," he told the news provider. "It's a way for kids to develop and have fun in a safe way. I want to see them excel in and out of the gym."
After suffering early heartache in his childhood, Parker was spotted doing backflips and handstands in his neighbourhood and later became an all star athlete.
"It was perfect for me," Parker said. "All that negative, teenage stuff went away."
He told the newspaper that on trampolines, his emotions were released and got rid of his fears. And when he completed a technique, he felt like he was on top of the world.
Now, Parker acts that way when he sees one of his 229 students complete a jump or grasp a skill. He started with just 41 less than a year ago when he started in League City.
Trampolines can give both mental and physical health benefits to children and adults, and even Nasa extols the health benefits of using rebounders and trains its astronauts in quick, efficient regimes.
