As a personal trainer for many years, Mclean had an epiphany. As an athlete, he eventually got to the point where he was receiving more satisfaction from helping other people than from helping himself. He’s still training people without disabilities, but at any given time, Mclean has around 15 disabled children and 30 elderly adults that he trains as well. For Mclean, helping people achieve what they never truly believed possible makes it all worth it. “I have seen clients change drastically physically and mentally,” he says. “From stroke clients who regain the use of their affected arms and other limbs to suicidal clients who have re-found the joy of life and want to live and exist. When people rediscover their self-worth and self-confidence, it is such a blessing to witness.” Some would think Mclean would run into challenging moments along this journey, but he doesn’t see it that way. “I don’t believe in barriers; I believe I can fix anything,” he asserts. Instead, he believes in hurdles to jump over. But there is one part of the job that Mclean doesn’t enjoy. “The most difficulties come with losing people I love to terminal cancer or old age. It never gets easier.” Mclean’s compassion, energy, and impact have traversed the globe helping people with disabilities build up the courage to better themselves. After watching some of his videos online, Mclean says a 19-year-old from Ireland with cerebral palsy filmed himself practicing the same drills to stand up. He sent that recording to Mclean, who was overcome with emotions because of his effects on so many people.
“My passion comes from my gratitude for and knowing how much helping people to better health can positively affect and influence the entire family.”
Mclean also has the world record for the “most people with disabilities in a class,” but he doesn’t like it when people feel sorry or have pity for people in wheelchairs. “I don’t give a damn about your chair. It doesn’t define you,” he has said. “I care about you… I give a damn about the individual I’m looking at.” When he’s not in the gym training, Mclean is hosting free Zoom classes for sick people who cannot attend. Between those and the videos posted online of him helping people get better through his exercises, Mclean has received positive feedback from all over the world. When asked how he’s able to keep encouraging people to give it their all and not get discouraged, Mclean says it’s about forming a genuine bond and real relationship where there is mutual respect. Once he and his client respect each other, any goal is achievable. “To take health seriously, they need to first realize the damage it’s causing their families and anyone who loves them,” he says. “I find the easiest way to encourage people is to show them how amazing they can be. I do this by making them demonstrate their own excellence through exercise.” As a person born into poverty, Maclean says he’s blessed to have a gym. But J7 is more than any ordinary gym. It has won “Gym of the Year” two times in a row. He will tell you that he loves what he does and wears it in his heart. “Anyone who knows me knows J7 is my passion and what I was born to do,” he adds. “So it’s impossible for me not to be happy when I’m here.” Since this is the Inclusivity Issue, Mclean had some final words for people with and without disabilities: “Notice people… look at people and not through people! A disability doesn’t define a person. I LIKE TO CALL IT A PIZZA! A disability is just one slice of that person’s pizza; there are so many other slices. To anyone with a disability, please understand that you deserve to commit to improving your health and well-being just as much as anyone else. All anyone would ever want is to be treated normal. Treating people normally and genuinely caring for people will change the world, I promise you.”
/JAVENO-MCLEAN @J7HEALTHJAVENO /J7HEALTHJAVENO
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