Lance Alexander, known for his roles in popular series such as Netflix’s Family Reunion, Teachers (2016), and Raven’s Home (2017), has embarked on a journey of transformation, chronicled in his book, From Junk to Hunk. This multifaceted project, launched in September during Childhood Obesity Month, encapsulates Alexander's mission to inspire young people to prioritize their mental and physical health.
A Multifaceted Project: "From Junk to Hunk"
From Junk to Hunk is more than just a book; it's a movement. Alexander aims to convey the essence of this movement to young people, which is about getting rid of the “Junk” in our lives-the toxins and negativity that prevent us from achieving our objectives-and becoming a stronger, better version of ourselves, or “Hunks.” The core message emphasizes that mental health is paramount, stating that everything is truly possible when the mind is at the right place.
Alexander is committed to promoting mental and physical health among youth and teens, and this project is just the beginning of his mission. Alexander's approach is sensitive, supportive, and empowering and integrates trauma-informed practices, fostering an atmosphere of trust and respect, allowing attendees to feel comfortable sharing their experiences and vulnerabilities.
The Genesis of a Transformation
Alexander's journey began over two years ago when he realized he wasn't healthy. The teen actor spent too much time sitting around. He was overweight and unhappy.
During the pandemic of 2020, at the age of 15, Alexander found himself isolated and grappling with depression. However, he decided to fight back. After approximately 20 unsuccessful weight-loss attempts, he decided to try one more time. Although his initial goal was to improve his outer appearance, he didn’t find success until he focused on his overall quality of life and his mental health.
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This realization sparked a profound change. Alexander became more active and made healthier food choices. As a result, he shed nearly 70 pounds (approximately 31.75 kilograms). His body wasn't the only thing that changed. Lance's mood also changed. He felt better and was happy.
Overcoming Challenges in Content Control
One of the most difficult aspects of writing From Junk to Hunk was controlling the amount of content. Alexander wanted the book to remain manageable in size, more like a road map than a novel. However, he also felt it was important to be honest and transparent about how he reached his weight loss goals which included changing some bad mental habits. In the early stages of writing, the book it was double in size. He worked hard to trim it because he knew his audience (young readers) may not stick with reading a volume on this subject.
Core Message: Prioritizing Mental and Physical Health
The main message Alexander wants readers to take away from his From Junk to Hunk project is the importance of prioritizing mental and physical health. He believes that transformation must start with the mind. His aim is to inspire young people to clear out negativity and toxicity from their lives, setting them on a path to become a stronger and better version of themselves.
Alexander wants everyone to know that mental transformation must come first. Eliminating “Junk” (stress, emotional eating, excessive technology) is what led to his body transformation. He started with behavior modification, eliminating stress and poor eating habits.
The Power of Documenting Progress
One of the most surprising things Alexander learned while writing his book was the importance of documenting progress within your goals. He realized that keeping records of his journey through pictures and journals was instrumental in maintaining his motivation and tracking his transformation. This documentation allowed him to look back and see the progress he had made, serving as a source of inspiration and a reminder of his “why.” It emphasized the significance of small steps adding up over time and encouraged him to keep moving forward. This can apply to any goal you have.
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Advice for First-Time Authors
As a first-time author, Alexander advises others to simply start. The right time will never just pop up so just put pen to paper and start creating your roadmap on the aspects you want to cover in the book and don’t hold out for the perfect conditions or inspiration to come. Setting smart goals is huge! Ask yourself how do I get from point A. to B. to C.
Alexander is in the early stages of laying out a companion workbook that facilitates a deeper dive into goal setting.
Making a Difference: A Broader Impact
Alexander defines “Making A Difference” as living a life filled with acts of kindness that eventually inspire and motivate others to do the same! He believes everyone with influence and a platform ought to make the most of it by using it for good. You never know how your words or posts on social media might help someone. You could very well be the only person somebody has left to look up to, so never pass on an opportunity to leave a positive impact.
As a change-maker, Alexander is fully committed to promoting mental and physical health among youth and teens. As he travels the country, he wants to impact their behavior and mindset toward health and wellness. In addition to traveling to all fifty states, visiting Boys and Girls Clubs, he plans to continue writing, developing curricula, speaking, and community outreach, to inspire others who work with youth to join the movement by encouraging young people to live healthier lives. He wants to make “From Junk to Hunk” a household name.
Alexander serves as a positive influence, promoting not only personal success but also a holistic approach to well-being. His messages emphasize the importance of strong physical and mental health, encouraging a lifestyle that fosters overall happiness and fulfillment.
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Recognizing the importance of equipping young individuals with essential life skills, Alexander imparts wisdom and guidance on goal-setting, resilience, effective communication, and more.
Building a Supportive Community Through Education
Alexander's impact transcends individual interactions; it extends to the creation of a community united by common goals. Through his work, he fosters connections among young individuals, creating a supportive network that encourages collaboration, shared aspirations, and mutual growth.
His commitment to education goes beyond the conventional. His curriculum and speeches serve as educational tools that empower youth with knowledge, instilling a sense of confidence and competence as they navigate the complexities of life.
Curriculum for Success
Alexander has crafted a curriculum that serves as a roadmap for success. Tailored to address the unique needs of youth, this curriculum provides practical tools and strategies to navigate life's complexities, fostering the development of essential skills for personal and professional growth.
Early Life and Influences
Alexander was raised in West Chester, Ohio, a small township outside Cincinnati. He’s always participated in a variety of extracurricular activities. He loved participating in computer games - lots of them - as well as volleyball leagues and basketball competitions in his community. Growing up, he enjoyed acting in community theater productions and school plays. He discovered how others reacted to him and that’s how he found his love for acting. Initially, he had no idea acting could be a career. In 2017, things became a little more serious when he started taking acting classes in his hometown and decided to participate in a talent showcase in Dallas, Texas which ultimately led to pairing with an agent and manager then relocating to Los Angeles. A part-time move to L.A. led to Commercial and Television bookings and marked the start of his career.
He is blessed that his family has always been supportive and provided good positive examples to follow. His mom has always had a strong passion for volunteer work, so he grew up volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House and doing other charity work in and around his community. Part of our agreement when he moved to Los Angeles to chase his acting dreams, was promising to remain humble, and continue giving to others by volunteering and attending college. He has kept his promises. His sister makes sure he remain humble, he is currently a college sophomore, and he recently received a National Presidential Volunteer Service Award for the time he has given to his local food pantry, Ronald McDonald House, Best Buddies, and Boys and Girls Clubs Of America.
Best Buddies is most definitely an organization that has had a large impact on his upbringing and continues to this day! Best Buddies is an international organization founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, and its mission is to enhance the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development programs. The organization operates in countries across the globe, striving to break down barriers and create a more inclusive society. As a kid who was bullied growing up, this organization resonates with him most because of the underlying message it sends about inclusion. If your readers are not familiar with Best Buddies, it is the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical, and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). There are several different volunteer programs and he volunteer with the Friendship Program. These programs build one-to-one friendships between people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), offering social interactions while improving the quality of life and level of inclusion for a population that is often isolated and excluded. Through their participation, people with IDD form meaningful connections with their peers, gain self-confidence and self-esteem and share interests, experiences, and activities that many other individuals enjoy.
The "Aha Moment"
If I am being real, I woke up one day and became so scared of the fact that if I continued the horrible cycle of not prioritizing my health both mentally and physically, I wouldn’t ever get to see the “possibilities” that was living my full potential (the strongest version of myself both inside and out). Realizing that I had waited years and years for someone to just save me, I finally understood that no one was coming to save me, and it was on me to become my own superhero. After sharing my transformation and having others reaching out for my help, I now have a burning desire to help others unleash their inner superhero.
Steps to Starting a New Organization
First and foremost, sustainability is key. You want to outline a project in stages so that you can go the distance, otherwise it may become too overwhelming. I recommend setting smart goals, this helps with accountability. When I wanted to complete tasks, I would assign dates and where possible document quantifiable data. From Junk to Hunk is built on the entire premise of what I call the I-D-E-C method. These are the four steps on going From Junk to Hunk with any goal (including starting a new organization). With the I-D-E-C method I is for IDENTIFYING your problem. D for DETERMINING “Why” you want to achieve the goal. E is to EXAMINE the necessary steps you will take to reach your goal. Lastly, C is for CLEARING the junk from your life that is blocking you from achieving your goal! For me, the goal was to lose weight, but as you can see the I-D-E-C method is a simple four- step process that can be applied to any project or goal.
Interesting Story
During every Boys and Girls Club visit I hold “Meet the Author” sessions and speak for approximately 10-15 minutes with club members, followed by a Q&A session. Well, while visiting an Indiana Club, interestingly enough, one of the kids asked me if I would arm wrestle the strongest kid they knew at the club. I was sweating and laughing so hard by the end, but it turned into an entire club arm wrestling competition. It was indeed different and interesting, but so epic!
Funniest Mistake
The funniest mistake I made when I first started From Junk to Hunk was thinking that everything about the movement had to be perfect including myself. What I realized over time was that the most important move was to get started. Soon I realized the movement was really all about taking those small steps towards goals and making little changes, taking it one day at a time! Going through this process, I learned eventually small steps add up and you look down and you’re at the top of the staircase and you have completed what you set out to achieve without overwhelming yourself or quitting!
Mentors or Cheerleaders
Yes, I am blessed to have a very supportive family unit with my mom, dad, and sister who all cheer for me from the background. My family is my greatest asset and secret weapon, with them I have learned I can have it all. I also would like to acknowledge my paternal grandfather who is the wind beneath my wings. He is a retired entrepreneur who has always taken the time to talk with me and sow into my projects which has made a tremendous difference in my success.
Impact Story
Yes, absolutely, so in early November 2021, a young person reached out to me for advice on social media, he also has a large following and an interesting platform that I was already following. I could visibly tell he was overweight like me, but I had no idea he wanted to lose weight. After I posted my transformation, he reached out to me, simply asking for me to be real with him about how he could lose weight. I did just that and gave him advice on making small changes by implementing a small amount of daily activity he could do without it feeling like a chore and pairing that with eating in a non-restrictive way where no foods are labeled as bad but being more conscious of decisions with his caloric needs to reach his goals. After he reached out, I didn’t hear from him for over six months. When he reappeared, he shared a public thank you to me on social media, detailing that he had lost 60 pounds and had taken his life back because of my help! This reassured me that I had to keep working to help others who were suffering in silence and my campaign shifted to a higher gear.
How the Community Can Help
There are many things these stakeholders can work towards to help prevent and reduce childhood obesity these few immediately come to mind:
- Create Health Education Campaigns using Socia Media Engagement. I believe these campaigns could do more to create discussions around a healthy diet, physical activity, and the risks associated with being overweight.
- Fund accessible physical activity spaces. Every neighborhood should have safe and accessible fitness equipment placed in parks or playgrounds. This is especially needed in underserved communities. If no equipment is available, I believe a free voucher should be provider for the closest gym/fitness center.
- Create Supportive Policies. Provide subsidized healthier food options regardless of family income. Promote and reward healthy food choices by providing incentives for documented physical exercise and healthy behaviors. Offer the youth something in exchange for the healthy choices they make. Maybe gift cards, tickets for sporting events, workout shoes/clothes, or sports equipment.
5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Started
- Do not set unrealistic goals. I wish someone would have told me this because it would have saved me lots of grief and letdowns. I beat myself up for not completing certain goals which later I learned were not actually attainable early on my journey.
- Document progress. Make sure you take pictures or write down everything on your journey. Once you get going, it will be tough to press forward at times, but journals and photos help you look back and see you did not sit around waiting for anyone to save you, you became your own superhero! About mid-way on my weight loss journey, I started taking pictures and making videos and on my worse days those pictures helped me remember my “why”. So again, no matter your project or goal, document, document document.
- Prioritize sleep. It took me a long time to understand the importance of sleep. Once I made the correction between sleep and performance, I started changing my sleep habits which enhanced my productivity! For those who have a demanding schedule packed with school, jobs, sports, and club activities I know it’s hard to justify sleeping more but I promise you will see a difference in your mood and performance.
- Built a good support system. Make sure your friends are people that keep you motivated to work hard and inspire you! Your friends should be your support system not competition. Genuine friends back each other’s goals and are genuinely happy to each other win! Your friends should have their own goals while supportin… Stretching feels good. It also keeps you from getting hurt. 1 Lance Alexander knew he wasn't healthy. The teen actor spent too much time sitting around. food. He was overweight. He was unhappy. When COVID- 19 hit, Lance was 15. He looked at his lifestyle.