Things that matter just do not appear out of nowhere. They take time, determination, and a deep sense of purpose. Tambra Wilkinson leads a team of caring people who are very practically helping those fighting Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, and stroke.
Tambra oversees Day One Fitness. It is a gym that exists to “Equip. Challenge. Empower.” From their specially equipped gym in Beech Island, she and her staff are making a difference daily in the lives of the hundreds who use their services.
Tambra begins her story this way, “The short simple answer is it was very much a God-directed path. I’ve never felt called to do something until this. Many things that were put in my path kept reminding me this is something you’re supposed to go do.”
It started when Tambra was placed in a 5K race. After the race, she received a “goodie bag.” The bag included a magazine with an article about Parkinson’s disease. The person authoring the article was Jennifer Parkinson. Jennifer talked about a non-contact boxing program called Rock Steady Boxing that was of major help to her as she battled the disease. Tambra did not know much about the disease at that time, but the article planted a seed that would later come to fruition. She was struck by the fact that this type of therapy could provide some immediate help to those fighting this battle.
After discovering that was no place in the CSRA that offered this specific type of program, Tambra found one in Atlanta. Although she was working full time, she decided to go ahead and make the trek to volunteer there on weekends.
A brief time later, Tambra saw a sign on her way to work promoting a Parkinson’s “Moving Day” event in the CSRA that was supposed to include a non-contact boxing demonstration. She thought this local group was working with the organization she volunteered for in Atlanta. It wasn’t, but it ended up helping her connect and receive training with “Rock Steady Boxing” in Indianapolis.
The vision became clearer as she continued moving forward. She completed more levels of training and was convinced that creating a non-profit was the best way to serve people in the CSRA. Day One Fitness (Named after a song by Matthew West) began with four people in November 2015. Tambra says, “My goal was, if I help one person, then it’s enough.”
She describes her first challenge this way, “Where were we going to start our programs?” Originally, they were going to begin at Evans Fitness Center, but just days before, a smaller MMA studio (also in Evans) became available. That location was home for Day One through their first year. A building on Fenwick Street in Augusta then became their new home. They received equipment and flooring for a greatly reduced price from a gym that was going out of business. Over the course of one frantic week, walls were taken down and other vital repairs were made.
Tambra said, “We never missed a day and opened up there. Thought we would be there about three years and would be able to have a capital funds campaign to raise money for our own building someday.” Those plans were modified when, after two years, the church that owned the building announced that they were merging with another church and would be putting the building up for sale.
The church had generously donated the space and utilities for Day One which was a tremendous blessing and allowed them to survive. With news of the sale, they shifted into high gear and launched a capital campaign raising about a third of their funding goal toward the purchase of their own place.
During their search, they became aware of the building they currently occupy, but it was out of their price range. When they met with the seller, Tambra said, “We sat down, and we explained our mission and our passion. The gentlemen looked at me and said, “So, do you really believe that this is what you’ve been called to do, that this is something God has called you to do?” I said, “Absolutely.” He said, “Well, we’re not in the business of standing in the way of God, so we will sell it to you for your original offer.” The arrangement ended up as a lease purchase with 100% each month going toward the principal. Another blessing and affirmation.
The new space was well suited for their needs and God continued to provide. One example is the steel frame structure needed to support the heavy bags. It became available when a fitness business closed and left it in the building they had vacated. With the help of a small but determined team of volunteers and a trucking company that volunteered to move the beams, another large hurdle was overcome.
For Tambra, there is no doubt who put her on this path. “I think the common perception is, do you have someone in your family who has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s? Why are you doing this? What led you down this path? God led me down this path.”
Tambra says many participants become like family. Their recently dedicated strength training equipment was provided by a family who had been impacted by Day One. This October, they will also dedicate their building in the name of another former participant when they celebrate Day One’s fifth anniversary.
Tambra says this experience has impacted her faith. Specifically, she says, “I listen a lot more. I’m more in tune maybe? I’ve become more open to hearing and also to redirecting. I think every day is an opportunity to minister and it happens a lot in here.”
There are some terrific volunteer opportunities available for folks with a variety of skill sets. Find out how you might get involved. Call 803-265-1699 or email info@DayOneFitness.org.
