August 28, 2013
Brian Neal Fitness Foundation Expands Programming, Launches LGBT Athletic Mentoring Program
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 3 MIN.
Brian Neal and his life partner Bobby Blair are in New York City this week at the 2013 U.S. OPEN Tennis Championships to announce the launch of the Brian Neal Fitness and Health Foundation LGBT athletic mentoring program.
This program is designed to provide a safe and private 'one on one' mentoring program for all LGBT athletes worldwide. The plan, Blair stated, is for LGBT athletes "to have access to an infrastructure of support and guidance as they journey through the coming out process to living a true and honest life regarding their sexual orientation."
A former professional tennis player, Blair's own memoirs, "HIDING INSIDE THE BASELINE" will be released this year. The storyline traces Blair's path first as a top gay ranked tennis player to his recognition as a world-class tennis coach in the 1980?s and 1990?s.
The new athletic mentoring program has won the acclaim of numerous world class tennis professionals, such as Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, and former champion, Billie Jean King, who stated: "Bobby Blair is committed to providing a safe and confidential support team for LGBT athletes around the globe and by sharing his own experiences and showing how important it is to live your truth, I know he will make a major impact on the lives of those he reaches through his Foundation and his new book."
A press conference slated for Thursday, August 29at the Roger Smith Hotel will feature some of the biggest names in the tennis sports world. Those who will be attending and speaking include famed tennis coach Nick Bollettieri, ESPN and CNN commentator LZ Granderson, French Open doubles champion Luke Jensen, and a former top ten player in the world Carling Bassett-Seguso. The book will be authored by Barry Buss, himself a former top pro.
"The support and encouragement I have received from the tennis world is truly humbling," Blair said. "Having the biggest names in my sport recognize my story as a game changer for a better tomorrow for our LGBT athletic youths and to embrace Brian and my desire to help other athletes so they can have an easier path to freedom and happiness than I had is something that encourages us to work as hard as we can to make a difference."
Meanwhile, the Brian Neal Fitness & Health Foundation has surged recently, coming back and offering an expanded series of health and wellness services which includes a Healthy eating workshop; Life mentoring courses with Howard Cohen; yoga classes with Robert Schein; and body alignment science classes by Paul Bunting.
Intense Fitness, Push Fitness, David Levinson, and Michael Festa, along with Brian Neal, are providing group workouts.
Providing his own boot camps and weight training classes on a weekly basis, Neal now says that "My life dream and passion is coming true as I work daily to help people live a happy and healthy life who have been challenged with life altering medical conditions. I am also excited as we launch our LGBT athletic mentoring program this week to help young people live their true life as they utilize sports as a foundation to create a happy and successful life on and off the fields and courts."
The Brian Neal Foundation also offers complimentary gym memberships at STEEL GYM for those recipients who qualify for Foundation services. If you would like more information on how the wellness programs, and how you can become a member, review the guidelines at www.briannealfitness.org
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
