2023.03 -- US Storybook 2022 updated 4.14 - Flipbook - Page 46
like he’s definitely the kid you want around all the other kids. And I remember
once I realized how old Omarion was and that he was like one of our alum and kind
of transitioning out of the Leadership Development Program. You know, I had a
conversation with him and I was just asking like, you know, what’s next?”
And that’s when the lightbulb went off. Before this point, Omarion wasn’t sure what
he wanted next in life. But what he was sure of, was his interest in fitness. Something
he and Matt shared an affinity for. That’s all it took for Matt to connect Omarion with
his very close friend, Bryant, who is a personal trainer, one who is also deeply moved
and motivated by mentorship. He knew it would be an easy connection. But first, Matt
had to be sure that Omarion was moving with intention and was really serious about
the opportunity. So when Omarion demonstrated follow-through, Matt made the
connection. He invited Omarion to come out and shadow him at the gym. At the time,
Bryant was actually in the final stages of opening his own gym. Talk about perfect
timing. Omarion had the opportunity to sit in with Bryant and his business partners,
and witnessed firsthand the nitty gritty of getting a business off the ground. Now,
Omarion is working daily in the gym, and is on track to become a personal trainer.
Matt truly sees the young people he’s mentoring - sees who they are, what they want,
what they’re afraid of. And from seeing and being seen, the jump to building trust,
building a relationship is a small one. And one day, when these young men are grown
and leaders in their own right, they’ll tell people that once upon a time, there was a
coach named Matt who believed in them, who pushed them to find out who they are
and what they want, who helped them become the people they are today.
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PEACEPLAYERS UNITED STATES STORYBOOK