Growing up in a military family sparked Lamar Walker's interest in movement from an early age. 

“I come from a military family so being active has just been the thing for me growing up. When my parents were doing physical training that meant I was doing it too, training along with them. I thought my parents were my heroes, I thought they were cool so I wanted to do what they were doing.”

Lamar currently serves as SECL's Assistant Director for Student Programming. Prior to his tenure in Blacksburg, he studied at JMU and was a collegiate cheerleader during his time there. 

“That’s when I really grew to love weight training, seeing what my body could do, as a relatively small in stature guy, being able to squat twice my bodyweight or more was a cool accomplishment.”

“When I was in grad school I stopped cheerleading, but I wanted to keep up with that level of fitness because it’s a way to relieve stress, so I picked up running as a hobby. Since then I have really gotten into it. I have run a couple of half marathons and a couple of marathons. The feeling of the runner’s high and being able to accomplish those things is just really cool.”

Besides helping him feel strong physically, running also helps to clear his head and manage stress. 

“People that know me know that if it has been a few days since I’ve been running I get a little antsy and they can tell by my personality. They’ll tell me, ‘Ooh, you need to go out for a run, man, you’re a little on edge,’ or,  ‘I need you to go blow some steam off and then come back.’  It’s been crucial for me to be able to do that.”

Being indoors more during pandemic times has taught him the importance of making the extra effort to get outside. It has also taught him that a little bit of grace can go a long way.  

“I think the other thing that I have really taken away from this is the idea of grace and just remembering to give everyone a little bit of grace, you don’t know what their day is like, you don’t know what they’re going through so just offer that little extra kindness. I have a little post-it note on my computer that says ‘grace.’ Giving people a little extra grace goes a long way and I hope that I get some in return.“

After cranking out mile after mile, Lamar has learned many lessons, one of which he wants to share with you:

“Don’t be so hard on yourself, you will make it through whatever the challenge is at the time. Whether that be a super long paper or really hard class or you set a new milestone or a new PR or you’re having a difficult time because your suitemate is being really loud next door. You’ll make it through.”

“We are a community that has persevered through a lot so don’t be so hard on yourself. You are not alone. There is a community of people out here that is willing to help and wants to connect with you.  You are not alone.”