Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC - 51

Clockwise from left: Phillip Small
is now a certified USA Boxing
coach and works with his son in
the ring.
Phillip took up boxing as part
of his weight loss fitness plan.
He now offers beginner classes
tailored to bariatric patients.
Phillip with his family several
years ago: from left, Phillip;
son, Phillip III; wife, Lindsay;
and daughters, Alizavette and
Angelina.

Now entering his third year after
surgery, Phil reflects on his journey, and
fondly remembers one of the best days
of his life.
"Of all the milestones, I'll never,
ever, forget the day I fi rst stepped foot
on a roller coaster with my kids. I got a
little overexcited and ended up getting
us all season tickets," he laughs. "I
swear we rode every single ride in the
park that day."

A Renewed Zest for Life

But Phil didn't stop with roller coasters
and bumper cars. He had a completely
different outlook-a renewed zest for
life-and decided he was going to make
the most of it.
"I would say GMC and the Center for
Weight Management gave me my life
back, but I've never lived like this before.
I am physically able to do so much more,
and I have more energy than I ever
knew possible.
"I've always been passionate about
music, and I remember the first time
I put on a show after surgery-I was

jumping around on stage, and the
energy-I could just feel my energy
lifting the crowd up out of their seats!
It was remarkable. My music career
has never been more successful-and
now I get to make a living following
my dreams."
But for Phil, the triumphs that mean
the most always go back to family.
"Most important to me is how the
extra energy and ability to do things I
couldn't do before has given me more
time with my kids," he says. "I'm able to
participate in their lives in ways I could
have never imagined."
As part of his fitness plan, Phil took
up boxing. His youngest son had been

boxing for years, and Phil thought it
would be a great activity for them to
do together.
"Boxing is hard-there were plenty
of times when I wanted to give up, but
my son just kept pushing me. He was
my motivation." He laughs, "Now I'm a
certified USA Boxing coach, so I get to be
the one who pushes and inspires him."
Phil has also turned his newfound
passion for boxing into a way to
give back to the community. In
addition to regularly visiting CWM
to encourage others going through
the program, Phil also volunteers his
time instructing free weekly beginners
boxing classes, specifically tailored to
bariatric patients.
"GMC and the Center for Weight
Management saved my life, hands down,"
Phil says. "I'm so proud of myself and
how far I've come, and I'm proud of
where I'm going. Now I want to give
back, because I think everyone deserves
a chance to feel that way." ■

WEBSITE

Ready to Start Losing?
Learn about the comprehensive weight loss options at GMC's Center for
Weight Management by visiting gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/bariatrics.

FALL 2019

51
http://www.gwinnettmedicalcenter.org/bariatrics
Vim & Vigor - Fall 2019 - GMC

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