MINNEOLA, Fla. – Lake County Boxing Coach James "JT" Taylor is this week's Getting Results Award winner.
Taylor owns Teknique Boxing in Minneola, where he's trained both kids and adults in the art and discipline of the sport. He's been head coach for the last four years, taking ownership two years ago.
"I love teaching," he says. "I want them (students) to feel like this is home, this is family. To me it's not a business. It's a place to come and have a good time, take your mind off of things."
Parent Sandy Montgomery says the family atmosphere is what keeps her and her son Gabriel coming back. Montgomery nominated JT for the getting Results Award. In her nomination form she says the gym has transformed the lives of many kids.
"It's not just the boxing," she says. "They've gained self-confidence, sportsmanship, some have lost weight."
JT says he wants the gym to be a gateway, helping at risk kids see the possibility of a better life. Taylor is using his own life as an example.
Taylor says he grew up in a rough neighborhood but was able to see beyond its borders. "A lot of gangs, a lot of drug dealers," he says as he describes his childhood home. "but I never stayed there, I wasn't driven to be in that situation."
JT says he hopes to one day provide after-school transportation to his gym, giving more kids a fighting chance.
"I'm going to do everything I can to get them out of there and at least give them an idea of seeing something that, you know, that they can strive towards."