Brothers foster community health, wellness
The sun was setting when the Mcdonald brothers led their group fitness class in stretching and loosening muscles. Then they challenged their students — physically, spiritually and mentally.
“Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go!” Patrick Mcdonald Jr., 33, shouted as the class dashed out of the Mcdonalds’ new MACFIT Athletics gym on the North Side.
Several women and men sprinted in single file behind their coach. They darted by a 20pound bluetooth speaker that Jeremy Mcdonald, 28, had lugged to the parking lot. Labored breathing was lost in the din of hip-hop beats blasting across the compound.
After the 5-minute run/jog, the group headed back inside for a dynamic series of stretches, followed by a high-intensity portion that included jumping rope and quick foot moments.
The well-muscled brothers are more than leading exercises; they’re teaching a lifestyle, a deeply held philosophy they live by.
“It’s a holistic approach,” Jeremy Mcdonald said. “It’s about mind, body and soul, having everything in balance.”
The brothers’ goal is to unite the community while inspiring wellness and health. They and three trainers offer training and classes at their gym on Jones Maltsberger, near San Antonio International Airport. The “MAC” in MACFIT stands for move, achieve, change.
Classes are held Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., with one class on Saturday at 10 a.m. They’ve just added a youth strength and conditioning class, Monday and Wednesday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 9 a.m. The workout sessions include cardio, muscle toning, strength training, weight loss, health and wellness.
Their philosophy is rooted in the teachings of their parents, Nichelle and Patrick Mcdonald Sr. Their ideals include discipline and a commitment to physical conditioning acquired during years of playing high school and collegiate football. When their gridiron careers ended, they found purpose by combining sports experiences and family values.
Their father served in the Air Force for 24 years. The family lived abroad at installations that included San Vito Air Station, Italy; Patch Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany; Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene; and Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio in 2001. As military dependents, they leaned on one another as they moved to new schools and neighborhoods.
“A lot of time, all we had was each other,” Jeremy Mcdonald said. “It forced us to almost become one.”
The brothers learned the business side from their mother, who owns a bath and body boutique on the Far West Side called Taste of Texas Candles and Things.
“It’s in our blood,” Patrick Mcdonald said. “We wanted to use our gifts and talents to eventually make a living from it.”
In 2015, they started free outdoor classes on Saturdays at Brennan High School. For the first two years, they held free boot camps, just to get their name out. They’d pull the equipment from Patrick’s truck, set it up and work out with whoever showed up.
Their parents have always been their biggest supporters. One morning, that support became particularly important. They had arrived early at the school, ready to go. But not a single person showed up for the free class. The brothers were feeling low and wondered whether it was worth continuing. Then their father arrived. “Don’t be discouraged in this moment,” he told them. “Continue to be excellent, continue to push forward, and these times will not continue to be.”
His words of encouragement still inspire the brothers.
A hallmark of their journey has been their challenge to San Antonians to do one million push-ups.
The challenge began last year during Dreamweek and continues today. Families and individuals tag them on social media with video clips of their push-ups.
Anyone can participate. So far, San Antonio has logged 63,000 push-ups.
For Dreamweek this year, the brothers also sponsored a panel discussion about bridging the gap between generations.
Member Josie Vela said the brothers and their clients — who include members of the military, employees in the financial sector and entire families — have forged a bond during the sessions.
The coaches said Vela’s energy is contagious during workouts. Vela said she did close to 400 push-ups in an hour for the challenge. Four years ago, she weighed 235 pounds. Today, she weighs 157.
“We have really good coaches,” Vela said. “It’s a good tribe and good people. That’s what you have at MACFIT. It’s not just fitness. It’s the fellowship, the connections and so much more. ”
Another client is Shetigho Nakpodia, 67, pastor of Redeemer’s Praise Church at 107 Pine St. She rises early to attend the 6 a.m. classes. The brothers said they’re impressed and inspired by her commitment.
They call her “Mama Nak.” “How do you not work out hard when you see someone her age just going after it?” Patrick Mcdonald asked. “It makes everybody match that work ethic. She’s something special. Everything we ask her to do, she does it with a smile.”
The brothers have helped with the pastor’s food deliveries from her East Side church to the homeless downtown.
They said their future includes a Next Up program for youth, including mentoring. The program’s tagline is “Empowering the next generation of athletes and leaders.”
The brothers live by Romans 8:28, a Scripture they believe stands for perseverance: “All things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Jeremy named his blue nose pitbull after that verse.
Every Monday, they interact with the community through their podcast@ move achieve change.
It’s a chance to recap their week, current events, health and wellness topics, and best practices from an entrepreneurial standpoint — plus a review of movies they watched during their down time.
“It’s a chance for our clients to see a different side of us,” Patrick Mcdonald said. “We are real people. We laugh, we joke, and it’s an opportunity to kind of see that.”