Jawon Chisholm Overcomes Extreme Adversity, Inspires Fitness Success

Twenty-some years ago in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 10-year-old Jawon Chisholm was playing in his yard and noticed a car parked on the street. Moments later, another car approached, mayhem broke loose and young Jawon witnessed a murder. This would not be the only murder he would see in his hometown.

Jawon was by all counts a gifted athlete from a very young age. He started playing football while in kindergarten and loved the sport. Interestingly, NFL Running Back, Ricky Watters, and Offensive Lineman, Micah Parsons both grew up on the same street from Jawon – an area that was impoverished and at times extremely dangerous. Jawon attended Harrisburg High School and during his first year excelled on the school’s team as an all-purpose running back.

Until, during that same year, he faced gun violence again, and this time he took a bullet.

“I looked down at my foot where I’d been shot and it looked like a jigsaw puzzle,” he said.

Jawon would then face a doctor’s recommendation to amputate (thankfully, this did not come to fruition), complete reconstructive surgery, a long stay at Hershey Medical Center, and over a year learning to walk again.

A Surprising Comeback

Surprising doctors and his physical therapist, Jawon got back into his pads and onto the field as a Junior and became one of Harrisburg’s most respected running backs of all time, having once scored a record-breaking six touchdowns in one half.

As a high school senior, he received an offer to play for the University of Akron Zips, where his success then landed him a spot on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster.

A handful of years later though, Jawon found himself in a dark place. Having played football at 206 pounds, he now weighed 173, was weak, unable to eat, having difficulty sleeping, and had lost his motivation and drive. He was facing a deep depression. He made an appointment with a doctor.

Fighting Mental and Physical Health Issues

“When Dr. Thomas walked into the room, and he’s this big buff healthy guy, I thought, ‘This is how I want to be,’” said Jawon. “I was thinking to myself, ‘I used to look like this and I want it back.’” The doctor told me I was ok and healthy, and that I needed to eat.”

Then the COVID-19 global pandemic hit. Quarantined, Jawon began making great – and big – meals. Before long he began gaining weight. And didn’t stop.

“I blew up,” says Jawon. “To 260 pounds. I didn’t feel good. I didn’t like it.”

Another medical appointment ensued, and this time Dr. Thomas looked at Jawon and asked, “Are you trying to kill yourself?” The doctor went on to warn him of high blood pressure, diabetes, and other diseases he could face. Jawon was not only frustrated by how he felt but now he was highly concerned about his health.

“I decided right there that I was going to take the weight off and get fit again.”

Jawon looked to his past Akron teammates and friends Kurt Mangum II and Hakeem Lawrence for advice. “Hakeem was a fitness instructor, and he built a plan for me,” said Jawon.

Jawon followed the plan and began to see results. Gaining momentum with his training, and in talking to Kurt and Hakeem, the idea to get certified as a personal trainer surfaced.

Leveraging ISSA to Create a New Path

“Opportunities started to come up that tied to getting certified,” said Jawon. “It just kept coming up and it was the perfect time for me to do it. So, I registered with ISSA and just attacked it immediately. As I was going through the education, I began to think, ‘This is going to change the game for me.’ And it did.”

Now, Jawon works as a trainer, a mentor, a motivator, an inspiration, and an example for hundreds of kids and adults in his community and far beyond.

“I work with people from all walks of life and for me, it’s not about just training. It’s bigger than training. I learned this – and started to live it – when getting my ISSA Certification. When you can apply the science of fitness and offer solid and customized training programs, but also motivate, that’s when everybody wins. I like to use my story to give motivation.”

He says at times when he feels uninspired to workout himself, he leans on his past learnings of simply taking it day by day and putting in the work. He also says that throughout his fitness journey, he’s learned that instead of pills and medication, sweat, blood flow, and movement all work to keep his mindset in check. “I get my medicine at the gym through endorphins and dopamine that’s released naturally through movement. That’s what makes me feel good mentally and physically.”

Not long ago, Jawon lost his mother – someone he cherishes and says was a terrific parent – to a drug overdose.

Staying Strong

But when asked about all of the trauma in his life, and what it takes to face adversity and find resilience, Jawon says, “I just find it through never giving up. It’s about going through tough times and embracing them, and then you can use that strength you gain when you face other adversities. I also share my story with others in hopes of helping people. Seeing two murders, and being shot … that’s not something everybody experiences. But struggling with depression and weight issues and working to change things to live a healthy life – that applies to a lot of people. Hopefully, my story can help motivate others.”

He also says he finds confidence and motivation through God and combines that with putting in the hard work. He says it’s as straightforward as that.

Today, Jawon has three kids ages one, five, and 11. Of being an example to his kids, he says, “They are learning that combining hard work with resiliency and consistency pays off.” He says his oldest daughter saw him at his worst and then watched him grow to where he is today and is benefitting from that.

In the end, he says, “When it's all said and done, it’s about how you help others in your life, not about how you help yourself. Sharing health and fitness with others and sharing my story is how I approach that daily and it’s gotten me to where I am and is hopefully having a positive impact on others.”