By Krystle J Bailey
Tadris Parker of Galloway is using his passion for running, health, and fitness to make a difference in the community. Through his company, Keep Calm And Run To The Best You, Tadris offers walking and running programs, nutritional support, group race challenges, and a big dose of love and encouragement to people of all ages, backgrounds, and fitness levels. From the 57-year-old woman who hasn’t run since high school to the 65-year-old runner now completing 5-mile races, Tadris’ unique approach makes running attainable for everyone.
Growing up, Tadris didn’t have a traditional childhood of sports and family time. Bounced around the system at a young age, Tadris spent most of his upbringing in survival mode. Any family time he did have was typically spent tending to his grandmother and her health needs. The idea of sports hadn’t even crossed his mind until Tadris found himself relocated to Pleasantville, NJ, at 14 years old.
It was there that he discovered his love for basketball in 1989. With plans to try out for the basketball team for the first time as a high school student, he signed up for cross-country to build his endurance. While he hated cross-country and didn’t end up making the basketball team, along the way, he found that he loved to run.
As a young adult and new father, Tadris continued to run for fun, signing up for the occasional 5K and challenging himself to new personal records. The responsibilities of life continued to pile up, and in 2009, two weeks after the birth of his fourth child, he ruptured his patella tendon. The eye-opener happened at the hospital when Tadris was made aware of the “dad weight” he had put on over the years. This inspired him to not only heal his injury but, ultimately, begin to heal his body.
By 2012, following complete recovery, Tadris got the itch to run again. Inspired by the stories of overcoming that he would read in Runner’s World Magazine, Tadris knew his story wasn’t done yet. Using guidance from Runner’s World “Run Less, Run Faster,” he hit the pavement to run his first 5K in years and ultimately beat his own personal record at the age of 37.
Soon, Tadris began training with his wife, Nichol, and creating opportunities for other individuals in the community to come together in the name of health. He created a basic 12-week running challenge for participants, from which Keep Calm And Run To The Best You was born.
Since then, Tadris has added several new walking and running programs as well as a nutritional guide, Keeping It Real With Nutrition. His nutrition plan is a realistic approach to eating that he used to heal his own body and now offers as a guide to help clients reach their fullest potential.
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Tadris and his clients continued to check in virtually, even running several virtual races together. In February 2021, he led a virtual run that raised awareness and money for the non-profit organization, Faces 4 Autism. In 2017, Tadris began a 5K powered by his company, Keep Calm And Run To The Best You, in support of South Jersey Field of Dreams. Continuing to give back, Tadris now runs with intention. This year, he is running Disney’s Dopey Challenge with the goal of raising $2,100 for Autism Speaks.
The journey wasn’t what Tadris expected it to be when he set out to play basketball, but it’s one he is proud of.
“You’re always running towards bad health or a healthier version of yourself,” shares Parker. “The best way to predict the future is to create it. I’m trying to give that to the community and give back to people who deserve it.”
Keep Calm And Run To The Best You is based in Galloway, New Jersey, and services all of Atlantic County. Group training at the Stockton University track is every Tuesday at 5:25 and every Thursday at rotating tracks in Absecon. Contact Tadris Parker at RunToTheBestYou.com for more information, or follow him on Facebook at Keep Calm And Run To The Best You.
