Special Olympics Kansas (SOKS) and Special Olympics North America (SONA) proudly welcome Justin Hostetter as an officially inducted Health Messenger. Justin recently completed his practicum project, a follow-along workout video titled the Dream Big Workout, showcasing his passion for fitness and inspiring others to live healthier lives.
Justin has been dedicated to fitness for over five years, valuing the importance of staying active and maintaining good health. “I like to work out and stay active, and I want to inspire other athletes to do the same and be healthy,” Justin shared. Through the Dream Big Workout, he aimed to make fitness accessible and enjoyable for athletes, encouraging them to exercise regularly and take care of their health.
The name Dream Big Workout was a natural choice for Justin. “It’s a cool name, and I thought it stood out among the others,” he explained. His goal for the project was simple but impactful: to provide athletes with exercises they could follow and succeed with, all while inspiring them to stay active. The video was filmed in just one take—a feat Justin found both rewarding and exciting. “I felt really good about it. It was a good, long video, and I’m proud to have completed it. I can’t wait to hear feedback from others.”
Reflecting on the experience, Justin admitted it was easier than he initially thought. “I learned that I don’t need to stress about things or make them harder than they are. It ended up being a lot easier than I expected.” While creating the video, he meticulously planned out the exercises and overcame minor challenges with timing during filming. His perseverance paid off, resulting in a video he is excited to share with athletes across Kansas.
As a Health Messenger, Justin’s perspective on health and fitness has evolved. “Being a Health Messenger has helped me think more about my health when making decisions,” he said. “It’s helped me not eat as many snacks and encouraged me to be more mindful, especially around the holidays. This fall has been so nice, and it feels great to be outside and go on walks.”
Looking ahead, Justin dreams of reaching out to more athletes, inspiring them to live healthier lives, and encouraging others to join the Health Messenger program. “If you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything. Things might be hard, but if you work hard, you can do whatever you want,” he said.
Justin’s advice for those starting their fitness journey is simple and heartfelt: “Don’t get overwhelmed. Try to make it as simple as possible and make sure it’s something you enjoy.” He hopes to continue creating workout videos and finding new ways to promote fitness and health among his peers.
Keep an eye out for Justin’s Dream Big Workout video, which will soon be shared across all SOKS social media platforms. It will also be added as a valuable resource to the SOKS website and YouTube channel, inspiring athletes everywhere to stay active and dream big.
Congratulations to Justin on completing his practicum project and becoming an official Health Messenger. His dedication to health and fitness is already inspiring athletes across Kansas and beyond to dream big and take steps toward healthier lives.
