Daisy Wilson, Market Leader discovered MEGA Influencer, Coach King. Coach King was a former athlete whose weight spiraled after injury. He turned to running to get him back on track.
On Performance Apparel
On is a perform all-day type of fitness line. The apparel has innovative technology right sewed. Aside from the standard thumb hole you might see in other brands, they also include a watch hole! On clothing was built to be versatile.
To celebrate, Daisy is putting together an On Performance Apparel fashion show. Models will be displaying the clothing, On representatives will answer questions, and there will be a sneak peek into new releases.
Coach King
Coach King and Daisy met at a local race in the Raleigh area and bonded immediately over marathons. Standing at an impressive 6’10” and 280lbs, Coach King’s presence is striking and not easily missed. Coach King grew up playing soccer. In college, another sport beckoned him. When he moved to the USA, he received a scholarship to play basketball in college. He injured himself, putting all his basketball aspirations to rest – his career was over.
Within eight months, Coach King had gained 90 lbs. With an active lifestyle, this was something he had never have experienced before. He was left not knowing how to lose it or where to start. Previously, everything was set up through trainers, chefs, meal plans, and workout regimens. All he had to do was show up. So, when the weight came on, his self-worth diminished along with it. King knew he was going to have to reset his life.
Coach King Comes Out of the Funk
At first, Coach King admitted to being in denial. His body was shutting down. He did not want to believe it. It was not until his doctor sat him down and said, “if you don’t start taking care of yourself now when are 25, you won’t live to see 30.” This was all the motivation he needed. To educate himself, he turned to YouTube. Coach King began watching tutorials and following motivational speakers. As his journey went on, he would post his wins on social media, big or small. Three years later, he wanted to put his determination to the test, and so he joined the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon – his first-ever.
If there is one lesson he learned training to be a runner, it is you are your coach, your accountability partner, and your mental strength. For Coach King, this was one of the hardest things he has ever had to do, but in the end, it was beyond worth it.
“You have to be uncomfortable to be comfortable.”
Sharing and Connecting
One of the many gifts that came with pursuing running as a career was the community and positivity surrounded it. Everyone is cheering you on and wishing for the best, even from the sidelines. Coach King weighed 390 lbs. at his heaviest, and he serves as an inspiration for anyone looking to get into running. Never having been a runner before, Coach King went for it.
View this post on Instagram
He went from playing a 40-minute basketball game to not being able to run a mile. But with determination, anything is possible. All you have to do is put in the work, time, and commitment. Success and ease will follow.
So, what is next? Well, he is facing the challenge of a lifetime. He is currently training for the New York City Marathon this fall! Make sure to follow his journey on Instagram to stay updated on what he has got planned next!
