Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80 Page 81 Page 82 Page 83 Page 84GoodLifeFamilyMag.com NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2016 11 Thirteen years have passed sinceTaylor Hooton, a promising 17-year-old baseball prospect, took his own life as a result of anabolic steroid use. Half of his high school teammates were using some form of performance-enhancing substance in 2003 to“get bigger,”and Hooton — then 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds — was urged by a coach to“get bigger”as well. of mountains, taking part in three Congressional hearings and fundraising through numerous events, including an annual golf tournament. THF also joined forces with the Major League Baseball franchise to educate young people across the country. Two years ago, it launched the “All Me League,” a program enlisting professional baseball players to commit to “clean” playing, thus providing positive role models. After just one year, the program had at least one player from all 30 MLB franchises. These days, however, APEDs aren’t limited to the playing field; in our selfie- obsessed culture, kids are desperate to stand out based on their looks and often go to dangerous extremes. “Our biggest challenge has always been getting people to recognize the scope of the problem,” Don says. “Believe me, the problem’s there, and it’s going on in your child’s school.” While the median age for anabolic steroid use is 15 years, the average age to start taking unregulated dietary supplements—including protein shakes, creatine powders and high energy drinks— is just 10 ½. Through his extensive research, Don has found that at least 20-25% of over-the-counter dietary supplements are spiked with anabolic steroids. “Unless you test it, you really have no idea what’s in those supplements,” he says. “Kids need to know what they’re putting into their bodies.” Even after thirteen tireless years, for Don Hooton—it’s just the beginning. THF is now working with the American Academy of Pediatrics as well as top medical experts to develop standardized training materials so that physicians can properly understand and diagnose steroid usage in youths. This group is buildingtowardanationalconference in spring 2017 that will require $200- $300 million in funding. And while Don says he can’t personally fathom these numbers, “Our goal is to continue working to provide research and solutions to the APED problem. If we can accomplish this one thing and do it right, it’ll be the biggest thing we could possibly have accomplished.” For his unprecedented work on the issue of youth steroid use, and his tireless spirit after the loss of his son, we’re proud to award Don Hooton our Very Inspiring Parent (VIP) Award. SHEDDING LIGHT ON A DARK TOPIC Don Hooton calls THF a “family affair” in that each Hooton family member is intensely committed to its mission. Older son Donald Jr. runs all of the educational programs, and while wife Gwen and daughter Mackenzie are not official employees, both volunteer their time and talents in unlimited ways. Surprisingly, research reveals that 85% of our nation’s high school students have never had an adult (coach, parent or teacher) talk with them about the dangers of APEDs. THF provides research-based and highly entertaining educational programs in a variety of settings, including schools, summer camps and more. How can parents make a difference? “THF makes best and high use of any individual and corporate donations, and we appreciate anyone participating in our fundraisers—but there’s a second way to get involved,” he says, which includes parents asking what their kid’s school is doing to address the problem of APEDs. “PTA presidents, guidance counselors, principals, coaches—ask any of these people if they’d be willing to help get this information into your school.” To date, the Hoot’s Chalk Talk program has been presented directly to approximately one million young people, coaches, parents and other adult influencers in high school and university gyms and auditoriums across the U.S., Canada and Latin America. It has also been presented to U.S. Olympic Committee athletes, the USOC board of directors, doctors’and nurses’ groups, educators, school superintendents and athletic directors, insurers and other groups of adult leaders. In partnership with Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers (PBATS) and Major League Baseball, the Taylor Hooton Foundation presents to young people in all 30 MLB parks every summer. THF is currently working on an e-learningprogramtoeducatepediatriciansand other medical care providers. Beginning in 2013, THF began presenting programs in a number of NFL stadiums on behalf of the NFL and was recently contacted by the MMA regarding establishing a program for “clean”MMA fighters. To schedule a Hoot’s Chalk Talk at your child’s school or to learn more about the Taylor Hooton Foundation or the All Me League, visit www.taylorhooton.org or www.allmeleague.com. ABOUTTHETAYLOR HOOTON FOUNDATION The Taylor Hooton Foundation (THF) was formed in memory of Taylor E. Hooton, a 17-year old high school athlete from Plano,TX.Taylor took his own life on July 15, 2003, after using anabolic steroids.Taylor’s parents, family and friends founded the organization after learning of the growing number of middle school, high school and college students illegally using and abusing anabolic steroids, HGH (Human Growth Hormone), unregulated dietary supplements, and other appearance and performance enhancing drugs (APEDs). Theydiscoveredthatthisisaseriousproblemamongyoungathletesandnon-athletes,andlearnedthatyoungpeopleand their parents are uneducated of either the prevalence of or the real dangers of these powerful drugs.Today, theTHF is widely recognized as the national leader on the topic of APED use and has spoken to almost one million people directly with their education programs. Don Hooton speaks as an expert witness before Congress and regularly meets with government officials and state legislatures. He has received numerous awards includingTop 100 Most Influential Sports Educators in America.