Inspiring Teens Magazine Features

BaiYu Fisher

1/21/2021

BaiYu Fisher – Iowa
Nomination by Ami Yaro
Photography by
Megan Ruth Photography & others
Issue 42 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: BaiYu Fisher was born in China with albinism and abandoned by her birth mother. She has difficulties with vision, yet she has become a great dancer and circus artist. She is a very positive and motivated person despite her difficult beginnings in life and her physical challenges. She has had the courage to come forward with even her toughest internal struggles and publicly tell her story in order to be a role model for others. At this point in my career, I have quite literally worked with thousands of young people. BaiYu inspires me.

Photography by KM Photography

Tell us about your childhood and physical challenges.
I was born in Xiamen City with a rare disease known as albinism. This means that I lack pigment in my skin, hair, and eyes. This disease is not curable, and its primary impact is on my eyesight. Growing up I had several accommodations in school to ensure my success. Even now that I am in college, Iowa State’s Student Accessibility Center has provided me with accommodations to aid in my educational success. Throughout my childhood I was extremely active and did several extracurricular activities and would not let my lack of vision stop me. As a dance, self-taught aerialist, hand balancer and contortionist I have proven that there is no limit to success. There is no limit to what you can do because of what you were born with, where you came from or what society says you should be able to do.

Photography by Gary Merrick Photography

Where are you now with the internal struggles that have impacted you as a teen?
Today I am continuing to learn and grow from my past. I am becoming an advocate for others who may be experiencing similar internal struggles. As someone with depression and anxiety, I understand the feeling of not being good enough. I know several teens who have experienced that feeling and being a voice for others is such an empowering thing to do. Contributing to changing the stigma around mental health is my current priority because mentally ill people are still human beings and should be treated as such. I truly believe that no diagnosis should define a person. Being able to stand up and come forward with my struggles has inspired other teens to do the same and the beauty in that is breathtaking. To know that I have such an impact on others gives me hope.

Photography by Jaime Hough Photography

How did you get into dance and contortion, and what is your training like? Walk us through your journey as well as what a typical training day is like.
As a child, my siblings were dancers, I grew up playing piano and doing gymnastics everywhere I went. When my siblings were in dance, I decided I was just going to “try” it. Seven years later and I found a new physical activity. I had gone to see my first Cirque Du Soleil show and was inspired to be a contortionist from that moment on. Living in Iowa I knew there weren’t any contortion instructors, so I began teaching myself. I began learning and expanding my knowledge in aerial arts and contortion. On training day, I always start with a warmup whether that be learning a new tik tok dance, dancing around the house, or going for a run. I typically do strengthening after that to prepare my body for handstands and contortion. From there I will stretch out and work on various contortion poses. Then come the handstands and lastly will come the aerial stuff and I will end with another stretch session and conditioning.

Look for BaiYu in issue 42 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

click here for more information on issue 42

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

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Colby Sawvell

10/29/2020

1 Comment

Colby Sawvell – Iowa
Interview by Inspiring Teens
Nomination by Nathan Sawvell
Photography by Jon Henessee Photography
Issue 39 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: Colby Sawvell is inspiring to me for being a twin! In today's, world, trying to become yourself being a twin I feel is one of the hardest tasks. Individuality! He loves is fraternal brother to death. But trying to figure out who you are in this world without your twin, seems to be a struggle. My hope is they find themselves, while still holding on to their uniqueness!

What is it like having a twin?
Having a twin is the best thing that has ever happen to me. I don’t think I would want more than this, it’s like I always have a shadow always with me that loves to do what I do. We are the bond that is hard to break and we are always close or near each other we always like to go everywhere and do everything together it’s like I’m stuck to him all the time.

How are you alike, and how are you different?
We are alike in many different ways one of them is always wanting to do the same things together and want to hang out with the same friends. It’s like I have the same me always next to my side we always like enjoy each other’s company and go to our favorite places to eat. We are a lot different than you think one of us is more talkative and wants to interact with people. And the other one is quiet and wants to get work done but we still act the same if we are together.

What do you think is the biggest struggle about being a twin? How about for teens today in general?
I think the biggest struggle being a twin is having to argue a lot and just get mad at one another and still having to deal with it throughout the day because you are with him 24/7 and the main thing is you can’t get out of it and you have to find a way to make things better instead of staying mad at one another. The struggle for teens today is having them just go throughout the day and then having younger or older ones to play with and I will have to say, I get asked a lot about having a twin and them saying “I wish I had two of me it would be so fun”.

3 Things on your bucket list
My first thing I would wanna do is go skydiving, I wanna get that rush feeling and getting to see the nice views while falling. My second thing I would want to do is go scuba diving in the ocean and getting to see how it is like underwear and getting to see the sea life and how they are. My last thing on my bucket list is to drive a expensive sports car and having the feel of going fast.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years/what are your plans?
I see my self playing college football or having to start a new life in my chapter and getting the girl of my dreams. My plans are to go further into playing college football or getting somewhere in my physical therapy degree or we will just see where my life takes me.

Look for Colby in issue 39 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

Click here for more information on issue 39

Click here to nominate an inspiring teen

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McKinna Hogan

8/26/2020

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McKinna Hogan - Iowa
Interview by Olivia Bush
Nomination & Photography by Debbie Larson Photography
Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

The Nomination: McKinna Hogan is involved in cross country, basketball, track, and softball. She is a stellar athlete and has even qualified for the Iowa cross country state meet. McKinna not only plays for her school softball team but also plays on a travel team. This busy girl also makes time for community service. She is involved in her local 4H and FFA chapters and Student Council. She regularly is seen around her town helping with many different projects. Even with all this she still makes time for excellent grades and was chosen to be in the National Honor Society.

Photography by Debbie Larson Photography

What different sports do you play and how did you find a passion for sports?
I am active in cross country, basketball, track, and softball. I also play for a traveling softball team each fall and spring. I would say that I found my passion for sports through my small town. My town consists of about 1,400 people, which is pretty small. With that being said, it is a lot easier to be a four-sport athlete here. I have been playing since I was a second or third grader. As I have gotten older I realized that it is something I thoroughly enjoy and thrive off of.

Out of all the memories you have made through your sports teams which has been the most memorable? Why?
I have made many memories through my sports teams but beating the most wins in a season record in softball my sophomore year is my most memorable. Our team was thriving, and the atmosphere was so fun to be around.

What do you love so much about working with kids? Is this something you would want to do when you are older?
Working with kids has always been something that I enjoy. I started babysitting in fifth grade. Since then I have gained many more kids that I get the opportunity to babysit. I love working with them so much because I have a privilege of getting to help them grow and learn. Right now, working with kids in the future is not something I am looking to do.

Image by Meg Barker

Tell me more about being a Beachbody coach! What is this and what do you love so much about it?
I have been doing Beachbody workouts and using their products for a little over a year now, but I just started coaching in June. Beachbody coaching is helping people change their lifestyle for the better and helping them stay committed to their goals. Beachbody gets people connected to not only a fitness program, but also an eating plan. I love doing this because health and fitness is something I am passionate about and I want others to have the best lifestyle they can. I want to help others be their best selves.

What are some goals that you have for your future? Do you want to continue sports in college?
One of my biggest goals for my future is to attend college and graduate with a degree. I then want to start my career and later start a family. Like everyone, I want to be successful. Right now, continuing sports in college is up in the air.

McKinna will be featured in issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine!

Click here for more information on issue 37

click here to nominate an inspiring teen

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BaiYu Fisher

BaiYu Fisher – Iowa
Nomination by Ami Yaro
Photography by
Megan Ruth Photography & others
Issue 42 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Colby Sawvell

Colby Sawvell – Iowa
Interview by Inspiring Teens
Nomination by Nathan Sawvell
Photography by Jon Henessee Photography
Issue 39 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

McKinna Hogan

McKinna Hogan - Iowa
Interview by Olivia Bush
Nomination & Photography by Debbie Larson Photography
Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Featured

Archives

Categories

BaiYu Fisher

BaiYu Fisher – IowaNomination by Ami YaroPhotography by​Megan Ruth Photography & othersIssue 42 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Colby Sawvell

Colby Sawvell – IowaInterview by Inspiring TeensNomination by Nathan SawvellPhotography by Jon Henessee PhotographyIssue 39 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

McKinna Hogan

McKinna Hogan - IowaInterview by Olivia BushNomination & Photography by Debbie Larson PhotographyIssue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine​

Featured

Archives

Categories

BaiYu Fisher – Iowa
Nomination by Ami Yaro
Photography by
Megan Ruth Photography & others
Issue 42 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

Colby Sawvell – Iowa
Interview by Inspiring Teens
Nomination by Nathan Sawvell
Photography by Jon Henessee Photography
Issue 39 of Inspiring Teens Magazine

McKinna Hogan - Iowa
Interview by Olivia Bush
Nomination & Photography by Debbie Larson Photography
Issue 37 of Inspiring Teens Magazine