Fitness Odyssey president Stephen Adams has big goals for new organization

Arielle J. Patterson

Fitness Odyssey, one of Ohio University’s newest organizations, takes a different approach to physical fitness. The group’s goal is to help encourage students to live a healthy lifestyle, mentally, physically, and spiritually. President/founder of Fitness Odyssey, Stephen Adams, is using his love of fitness to help inspire fellow Bobcats and people across the country.

Fitness Odyssey's Stephen Adams (Image from Instagram)

Adams, a senior at OU and former athlete, is studying to be a sports physician. Over the summer, he was thinking of ways that he could create a community of students with similar health goals as himself. Adams says that the organization is primarily a support system for people looking to improve their lifestyle choices when it comes to health. “We basically grow and get better by being surrounded by other people who want to grow and get better,” said Adams.

According to Adams, the community aspect is a big part in becoming successful and achieving your goals. “Having that group encouragement and having people to hold you accountable, it’ll give you that push, that mental commitment to get there.”

However, Adams does not want to limit himself to just Ohio University students. “I would like to make it national. I’m thinking about even proposing it to other universities and installing chapters at other universities.”

Adams has started to take the concepts of Fitness Odyssey globally through the use of social media. His Instagram page (@Adonis_of_Fitness) has been up for about three months and already has almost 6,800 followers.

(Image from Instagram)

“I promote positivity on my page,” Adams said. “I do that by posting positive quotes and positive pictures on my page that provide encouragement.” In addition to visual encouragement, Adams also posts exercise videos and healthy eating suggestions.

Adams says his own journey to improve himself started with not eating out so much. He said that when he would eat out or at a fast food restaurant, he would try to choose a healthier option. For example: instead of burger, fries, and a large Coke, he would have a chicken sandwich and a fruit juice. “Limit your portions and try to include more healthy fruits and vegetables in your diet,” he advises.

When it comes to working out, Adams suggests not over exerting yourself, especially if you are trying to get back into shape. He says starting with a consistent routine of maybe three days a week will keep you from pushing yourself to the maximum limit and prevent you from giving up.

Be sure to follow Stephen Adams on Instagram and check out Fitness Odyssey at one of their bi-weekly meetings Thursdays at 5 p.m. in Walter Hall.