Former football athlete Therrian Fontenot is raising awareness about the importance of discipline, mentorship and structured opportunities for young people, drawing on lessons learned throughout his journey from Louisiana to Los Angeles, Fresno State and professional football.
Fontenot believes that many of the challenges facing young people today can be addressed through consistent guidance, positive role models and opportunities to develop confidence through sports, fitness and personal accountability.
“Football gave me structure when I needed it most,” says Fontenot. “It taught me how to stay focused, how to work through adversity and how to keep moving forward even when things got difficult.”
His message comes at a time when many young people are struggling with motivation, physical activity and connection. According to the Aspen Institute’s Project Play initiative, youth sports participation remains below pre-pandemic levels in many communities. At the same time, research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that regular physical activity can improve mental health, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and support better academic performance among young people.
Fontenot says the benefits extend beyond athletics.
“Sports taught me accountability,” he explains. “You learn that showing up matters. You learn how to be part of a team. Those lessons carry into every part of life.”
After graduating from Leuzinger High School in Los Angeles in 2000, Fontenot earned a full football scholarship to Fresno State. He later left college early to pursue a professional football career, where he experienced firsthand the discipline and preparation required to compete at a high level.
“Talent can open a door, but discipline keeps it open,” says Fontenot. “The people who succeed over the long term are usually the ones who stay consistent.”
Today, he remains active through fitness, weight training and golf while developing Help2Others, an emerging initiative focused on encouragement, personal growth and community support.
Fontenot believes mentorship plays a critical role in helping young people realise their potential. Studies from MENTOR, a national mentoring organisation, have found that young adults who had a mentor are more likely to hold leadership positions, volunteer regularly and pursue higher levels of education.
“Sometimes all it takes is one coach, one mentor or one positive influence to change somebody’s direction,” Fontenot says. “I’ve seen how powerful that can be.”
Rather than focusing on large-scale solutions, Fontenot encourages individuals to start with simple actions in their own lives.
“Create a routine. Stay active. Set goals. Keep your word. Those small habits build confidence over time,” he says. “You don’t have to change the whole world. You can start by improving yourself and helping the people around you.”
Call to Action:
Fontenot encourages parents, coaches, mentors and young adults to commit to one positive habit that promotes discipline and personal growth. Whether it is exercising regularly, volunteering, mentoring a young person or simply maintaining a consistent daily routine, he believes lasting change begins with individual action.
“Success is built one day at a time,” says Fontenot. “The biggest thing you can do is stay consistent and keep moving forward.”
To read the full interview, visit the website here.
About Therrian Fontenot
Therrian Fontenot is a former football athlete who grew up in Los Angeles after being born in Louisiana. He graduated from Leuzinger High School in 2000, earned a full football scholarship to Fresno State and later pursued a professional football career. Today, he focuses on fitness, personal development and building Help2Others, an initiative dedicated to encouragement, discipline and community support.
Contact:
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