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Inspiring 815: Ethan Taylor

Getting on a roller coaster may seem like a normal experience for someone Ethan Taylor’s age. But for him, the journey to get on a roller coaster has not been easy.

“In high school I got on a roller coaster and I didn’t fit and so I had get off and it was the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to me.”

For most of his adult life, Ethan has battled with his weight.

“I was 368 pounds. I was coming off a back injury, I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t run and couldn’t lift things. I pretty much just sat in bed, and that forced me drop out of college. I was just in a bad place mentally and physically, I was abusing substances.”

It took him hitting rock bottom to pick himself back up. That’s where Jim McIlroy with Food 4 Fuel stepped in.

“He got real serious in January, and he wanted to sit down and really talk about how he can transform his life, and his mind and everything.”

While Jim is Ethan’s weight and diet coach, he is also his life coach.

“It makes my heart just absolutely explode with joy. I’m so proud of him all the time, and I’m with him all the time. Like every day.”

Jim is helping spread the message of Ethan’s journey, and inspiring others to do the same.

“There’s a lot of people that can benefit from seeing somebody that just says I’m willing, I’m ready and I’m able. So, we were willing to put some assistance behind Ethan, but he had to make the decision. He made the decision, we were just there to help him.”

Ethan Taylor, inspiring 815, one pound at a time

Watch the video, HERE.

Breakfast and Blankets event serves 115 people

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – This weekend is the kick off to national hunger and homeless week and organizations in Rockford are coming together to help the homeless community.

Saturday morning’s initiative was to help out as many homeless people as possible. For the third annual Breakfast and Blankets event, three organizations came together: The Fatherhood Encouragement project, Food 4 Fuel and the Rockford Police Department. In the end, they were able to help 115 people stay a bit warmer this winter. People were lined up in downtown Rockford ready for a hot meal and winter clothes. So they could be ready for the colder weather headed our way.

“We want to make an impact, a lasting impact. So, that is what I think is super important about the Fatherhood Encouragement Project and our serving is we have dad’s and their families come and they get hands-on experience with really developing relationships in our community with folks who are in need,” said Danial Petrie, president of The Fatherhood Encouragement Project.

If you would like to get involved with the Fatherhood Encouragement Project you can find their information on Facebook.

Full article, here.