By Shawn Wansley, JCJC Sports Information Director
ELLISVILLE – Rob Graf knows a thing or two about strength, conditioning and staying fit.
After all, the Vernon, Texas, native has served as the strength and conditioning coach for both Texas A&M; and the Detroit Lions in the past. Now, he is Director of Endorsements for AdvoCare International, a health and wellness company.
“Being a strength and conditioning coach in the NFL is an interesting gig,” said Graf, during a presentation on Dec. 3 in the Home and Health Auditorium on the campus of Jones County Junior College. “You learn a lot when you deal with athletes that make millions of dollars a year.”
Graf talked about performance training during his visit to JCJC. He said it encompasses several different aspects.
“Performance training is not just about lifting weights or running or just doing a general workout,” he said. “It’s a combination of those things. The human body is so complex. The more I learn about the human body the more I realize what I don’t know about the human body.
“There are so many complex systems in the body and they have got to work together.”
Graf, who was a champion discus thrower at Texas A&M;, became associated with AdvoCare in 2005. The company offers world-class energy, weight-loss, nutrition and sports performance products and has received the backing of several well-known athletes, including New Orleans Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees, Denver Broncos’ quarterback Kyle Orton, San Francisco 49ers’ running back Glen Coffee, Seattle Seahawks running back Julius Jones, Milwaukee Bucks’ guard Michael Redd and New York Jets’ placekicker A.J. Feely.
“When you work with guys like Drew Brees or Kyle Orton or Glen Coffee, I am allowed to give them some free products, but I can’t give them any money,” said Graf. “But these guys will endorse our product because they know it works. They want the products because they know it helps them and helps extend their careers.”
AdvoCare has products for healthy weight management, energy and nutrition, a balanced lifestyle, advanced sports nutrition and even skincare. There are also business opportunities available for people who want to distribute the products.
One person who can vouch for the AdvoCare products is JCJC Lady Bobcat head basketball coach Sandra Sumrall.
“Our team started using AdvoCare last year prior to a game we played against Co-Lin,” said Sumrall. “After that, the girls wanted to use it as much as possible. Not only has it helped our team, but I personally have been on the AdvoCare 24-day challenge. In 24 days, I have lost nine pounds and 12 ? inches.
“I really believe in their products.”
Sports fans across the country will become even more familiar with AdvoCare during the month of December because the company will be sponsoring a college football bowl game.
The AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl will take place on Dec. 28 in Shreveport, La. The game will feature Georgia vs. Texas A&M; and will be televised at 4 p.m. on ESPN2.
“We are the first direct sales company to be a title sponsor of a bowl game,” said Graf. “We are very proud of that.”
To find out more about AdvoCare, go to www.advocare.com
