Strongman at Rise Performance 618: Strengthening the body, mind, and relationships

ANNA, Ill. (KBSI) – Joey Hawkins is a trainer at Rise Performance 618, and he picked up the sport of strongman three years ago. 

“It’s honestly helped me keep pursuing my fitness goals and managing my health,” Hawkins said.

Hawkins is a type 2 diabetic. 

“The past three years, I’ve had the best numbers since I got diabetes about eight years ago,” Hawkins said of the impact strongman has had on his life.

Joshua Messamore joined Rise two years ago and has been consistently involved in strongman the last seven months. 

He said this sport has helped him manage his mental health. 

“This is really a place that I can come in, put the rest of the world aside. I know I’m going to have a good time with everybody here and just really let loose, have a good time and be myself for a few hours,” he said.

And people like Messamore and Hawkins are testaments to the power of this sport to bring people together and have a positive impact on multiple aspects of life. 

“It’s that kind of camaraderie and almost family feeling it builds because people try it out, they get hooked, and then you’re sort of on this journey together as you get stronger, as you improve and grow as an athlete and as a person,” Hawkins said.