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A U G U S T / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9 M A C O N M A G A Z I N E . C O M | 8 3 10.9.19 10.9.19 SAVE THE DATE SAVE THE DATE newtownmacon.com/tour Free tour of Downtown Macon highlighting future, current, and recently completed projects. *First-time visitors and local residents only. Certain restrictions apply. $28 minimum value. At participating studios only. Orangetheory® and other Orangetheory® marks are registered trademarks of Ultimate Fitness Group LLC. © Copyright 2018 Ultimate Fitness Group LLC and its affi liates. CALL FOR FIRST FREE CLASS! OTFMacon 4357 Forsyth Rd, Ste 250 | Macon, GA 312105 | 478.845.4505 NOT PECS NOT Q UADS NOT GLUTES ONLY ONE MUSCLE GIVES YOU MORE LIFE . ™ CONNECT YOUR HEART TO YOUR WORKOUT. "I saw the first episode, and it's great, and I got an email from the executive producer and the network president saying how pleased they were," Hodges said. "e beauty of this thing is, none of it is staged. All of it's the real deal. is is what my daily life is like! People are gonna be amazed at the things we do." In one episode, Hodges performs an emergency amputation on a chinchilla whose leg had gotten caught in a ladder. In another, VJ gets some hands-on knowledge from his dad when he learns how to palpate a cow to check for pregnancy. "I think this was God's way of saying, 'Nah, it's not time for you to quit yet,'" said Hodges, who signed a multi- year, multi-episode deal with National Geographic. "Now, my reach will be much larger. My book was doing well, but this gives me a national platform to reach out and show the world that anything is possible." More of an audience means more awareness of Hodges' decade-old nonprofit, It Takes a Village Foundation, which aims to educate young people about entrepreneurship and community. "I'm all about teaching kids to fish instead of just giving them the fish," Hodges said. "Socioeconomics plays a huge part in how we're doing. It's hard to concentrate on getting educated if you're worrying about where your next meal is coming from." e foundation offers mentorship and support for young people seeking guidance and business skills, and also partners with Kohl's to offer a yearly holiday shopping spree for kids in need. "It's amazing how life comes full circle," Hodges said. "You can be at the lowest point, but if you work hard, you can find yourself in a position where you can bring others up, offer support and show them the ropes." In the meantime, Hodges is living his best life here in Central Georgia. "e thing I've learned about Middle Georgia is that it doesn't matter what you look like. If you provide a good service, people will support you," he said. "I feel the support and the love, and it's like a family. Everywhere I go, somebody recognizes me. I don't know if it's the mohawk, but when I'm out at a restaurant or the grocery store, people are always coming up to me and saying, 'Hey, Doc!' and telling me about their animals. I love that." You can be at the lowest point, but if you work hard, you can find yourself in a position where you can bring others up, offer support and show them the ropes." – Vernard Hodges "