Paul Lacoste Sports has been in Greenville this summer giving people more than the average full-body workout.
The Paul Lacoste Sports Next Level Mississippi – Greenville program started May 28 and participants have trained for one hour a day, four days each week at the Hodding Carter Memorial YMCA. The 12-week “boot camp”program has challenged participants not only physically, but also mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
“Next Level” is the rallying cry of all Paul Lacoste Sports programs and activities, Paul Lacoste, himself, said.
“Our intention is for every individual, based on their circumstances and capabilities, to find a way to improve and take his or her life to the “Next Level” every day. And that “Next Level” may relate to a person’s home life, work life, church involvement, community volunteerism – whatever,” he said.
After each participant goes through the pre-fitness test and pre-medical evaluation to establish “starting points,” Lacoste said they make their way through each area of the YMCA to learn various exercises and drills, become familiar with how to use various workout equipment and get comfortable with all areas at the Y. There have been two classes each day starting at 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. Tuesday-Friday.
In addition to the exercises, Lacoste said participants have been educated on the importance of healthy nutrition.
“Athletes are expected to maintain a daily food journal to track caloric intake and learn how to incorporate healthy decision-making into their daily lives,” he said.
Lacoste said his participants have had access to a dietician/nutrition and mental health counselors.
“Our team recognizes how important positive mental health is to a person’s overall health,” he said, noting near the end of the program, they will conduct a post-fitness test and post-medical evaluation to measure performance and success.
Lacoste said as a mobile business, they rely of facility partners for all of their training locations.
“One could not ask for a better partnership than what we have enjoyed with The Hodding Carter Memorial YMCA. Paul Lacoste Sports is grateful to Mickie (Sandidge) and other YMCA staff members, as well as the Board of Directors, for the opportunity to utilize their outstanding facilities,” Lacoste said.
Although there is no true way to comment on the success of the participants since they haven’t performed their post-fitness tests or gone through their post-medical evaluations, Lacoste said all indications point to Paul Lacoste Sports Next Level Mississippi – Greenville being a “big-time success” with results matching or exceeding any programs in previous years at other locations throughout Mississippi.
Lacoste said they provided a staff-level local head coach and other local coaches from the community to make up the balance of their training staff.
“Our roster of local coaches in Greenville have done an exceptional job of fulfilling their roles and responsibilities. Much of this program’s success will be a reflection of their time, effort, positive energy, and professionalism,” he said.
5K celebration
Participants will have their last workout day Aug. 15. To celebrate the end of their program, Lacoste said they will offer a 5K, which will be free and open to the public, set to start at 8 a.m. Aug. 17.
Registration will start at 7 a.m. and the start/finish line will be near Downtown Grille in Downtown Greenville.
For more information about the 5K or to print a registration form, visit paullacoste.com.
Lacoste said he is excited about the number of athletes that are well-positioned to meet all the requirements for successful completion of the program.
“We are so proud of what these men and women have accomplished for themselves, their families and their communities,” Lacoste said. “How our participants have taken their lives to the “Next Level” these past 12 weeks is such an inspiration to me and all the other coaches. Now is the time to build on this positive momentum and elevate others in Greenville, Washington County and the Delta to do the same.”
Lacoste said his program started more than 20 years ago out of the back of a truck.
Several boot camps in various locations have been hosted ever since, including traditional programs, Fit 4 Change (with the Mississippi Legislature), Fit 4 Teaching, Fit 4 Preaching, Fit 4 Medicine and others.
For about 10 years, Lacoste said he and his team have been determined to come to the Delta and this 2019 summer session was their first time doing so.
The partners for the summer session were Delta Regional Medical Center, Hodding Carter Memorial YMCA, Mississippi Beverage Association, The Lofts at 517 and Fleet Feet.
Lacoste said he wants to keep a long-term presence in Greenville and the Delta region, with plans already in place for regular training programs at the YMCA.
Registration is now open for their fall session, which begins Sept. 3. The early bird sign-up deadline is Aug. 20 and can be completed at paullacoste.com.
