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<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u201cThere\u2019s just no \u2018can\u2019t\u2019 in me,\u201d McClanahan says. \u201cI just don\u2019t quit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That is an understatement. He has also written a book, \u201cFinishing the Race,\u201d about his difficult and complicated journey. In 2002, he entered the Hi-Tec Adventure Race, held in Atlanta, becoming the first U.S. athlete with disabilities to enter and compete. The race called for a 6-mile run and a 6-mile bicycle race through the mountains, a 1 \u00bd-mile kayak race, and five obstacle courses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
McClanahan also became a dedicated bodybuilder, devoting hours and hours of intensive training every day. He still trains avidly, including a regimen of \u2014 believe it or not \u2014 drinking water from a bottle with jalapenos. He began competitive bodybuilding and won a spot on the national Paralympic team, and then went on to accumulate lots of trophies, medals, and the coveted \u201cMr. Europe\u201d title. The bodybuilding led to a deeper role as a trainer. Not surprisingly for such a generous spirit, his motivational strategy includes lots in the way of encouragement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For McClanahan, outreach seems like second nature. He has done talks in churches, Lions Clubs, Rotary Clubs, and many other places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI basically talk about,\u201d he said, \u201chow my faith has really pushed me along and given me that \u2018don\u2019t say no, don\u2019t quit\u2019 attitude.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He continues to work out, gives motivational talks, and takes time to ride his new motorcycle. The physical tests and challenges that he has endured have catalyzed his desire to assist others who need encouragement and inspiration. His goal is simply to elevate the heart and spirit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is easy to simply recite affirmations or slogans about never giving up. To Tyson McClanahan, these are concepts and words he puts into practice \u2014 every day. \u201cQuit,\u201d to him, is a four-letter word. He has exceeded expectations over and over and pushed himself to achievements that are mind-boggling. \u201cI still believe anything is possible,\u201d he concluded. \u201cThe sky\u2019s the limit!\u201d And for McClanahan, the sky is the limit. He is a walking example of what the human spirit can accomplish. GN<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Since the age of 4, Tyson McClanahan\u2019s life was geared toward a love of sports. As opposed to listing the many sports he played, it would probably be more accurate to list the sports he didn\u2019t play. Not surprisingly, he was an active, popular high schooler and \u2014 of course \u2014 a supercharged athlete, playing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":22434,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"\n Bees flit through bright flowers as women walk by, quietly contemplating the beauty around them. This beauty is reflected in their souls, shining brightly despite all they have been through. The peace and empowerment of Good Hope Farms uplift their future and change their lives, just as they have for dozens of other women before them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 25-acre property on the outskirts of Lebanon is dedicated to a difficult but incredibly important mission: restoring survivors of sex trafficking. In the past nine years, around 60 women have come through the program, each leaving with measurably improved mental health and the skills and community necessary to succeed in the wider world. The farm operates under the broader umbrella of Rest Stop Ministries, a nonprofit founded by Rondy Smith for the express purpose of serving victims of human trafficking. It was something she was called to do, Smith said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI was Community Life pastor at Hermitage Church of the Nazarene; at the time, I had been there for 10 years in that capacity and was just feeling a real stirring about a fresh expression, if you will, of a gospel-centered ministry that was outside the walls of the church,\u201d Smith said. \u201cI had the particular burden for victims of human trafficking that had really been breaking my heart.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n It took four years to make that vision become a reality. Smith had to find people to support the mission, flesh out her nonprofit and its methods, and find the funds and property to begin serving survivors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rest Stop Ministries has three core pillars. The first is to provide a safe, secure space for survivors to heal. In Lebanon, that safe place became Good Hope Farms. Coupled with the peaceful location is an 18-24 month therapeutic healing program to help survivors through the work of healing. All of it is free of charge. Rest Stop Ministries covers counselor, medical, and legal fees for everyone in the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe will take care of your every need free of charge if you\u2019ll just come and do the very hard work of healing,\u201d Smith said. \u201cOne of the hardest things they\u2019ll ever do is to heal and then be reintegrated ... successfully back into a society as a whole different person living a whole different life in a whole new way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The primary goal of the first pillar is improving mental health outcomes, and Smith said the nonprofit is proud of its success there. Everyone who comes to Good Hope Farms takes a mental health assessment. Most women are struggling with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, loneliness, and post-traumatic stress disorder \u2014 but after just six months, their mental health outcomes begin to improve exponentially.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pillar two helps residents develop the skills and obtain the documents they need to be successful. Staff assist them with whatever they need to progress, whether learning to read and write, learning to drive, or completing a name change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They also undergo a 9-month job readiness and skills certification to improve economic stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhile they\u2019re in the long-term program doing their healing work, alongside that, they get to earn while they learn in our Hope Enterprise & WorkForce Empowerment,\u201d Smith said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many learning opportunities. Residents run Good Hope Farms\u2019 online store, offering products made by survivors worldwide. The nonprofit is getting ready to launch its own line of survivor-made goods in addition to selling honey harvested on the farm. A partnership with local small business Fried Green Tomatoes allows residents to earn money packing batter and sauce mixes. All of that gives them the skills and experience needed to excel once they leave the farms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The third pillar of Rest Stop Ministries focuses on supporting alums. Transitioning can be difficult, but the nonprofit offers support for a full year after graduation as graduates find housing, jobs, and community. Smith said every milestone is celebrated throughout their whole journey, whether it\u2019s landing that first job, graduating college, or simply learning to cook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTheir lives are enriched and impacted while they\u2019re here,\u201d Smith said. \u201cPeople all the time [ask], \u2018Well, what\u2019s your graduation success rate?\u2019 Well, that doesn\u2019t tell the story. What tells the story is all the milestones that they gain while they\u2019re in the program.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n With its expertise in serving survivors, Rest Stop Ministries is a perfect resource for anyone looking to learn more about the crime of sexual exploitation. The nonprofit offers awareness and prevention training for anyone who wants it. \u201cWe\u2019re right here in your county if you\u2019re looking for people who understand this crime and how it happens and how it works,\u201d Smith said. \u201cWe just know that we need to continue to educate the public on what this really looks like, who these women are, and what beautiful souls they are.\u201d GN<\/strong><\/p>\n","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22429","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/lebanon\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2025\/01\/11-21-24-Tyson-McClanahan-06-1024x657.jpg\")
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