![\"WSMV](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/PYQCNXWUIVE27BALA565ZY2LFQ.png\")
<\/p>\nNASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – \u201cWe always use the slogan that \u2018Boxing is the bait, but knowledge is the real heavyweight,\u2019\u201d explained former U.S. Nationals boxing competitor Tramaine Crook.<\/p>\n
Crook says he founded the Counter Punch Youth Academy to help build mental stability for students and channel their energy into purpose.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe bait them in a good way, to teach them the martial art of a non-contact Olympic style boxing. That\u2019s our way to get the young people excited about it, but when they come in, they don\u2019t realize we\u2019re talking about goals, leadership, critical thinking, like, what are you going to be when you grow up?\u201d said Crook.<\/p>\n
Crook, known as \u201cCoach Tee,\u201d says his program helps students grow in confidence and leadership. <\/p>\n
\u201cBehavior, academics and attendance. Those are the three things that we see the most struggle with a lot of schools that we have worked with,\u201d explained Crook. \u201cSo we try to come in and be a solution and be part of the culture and help with those situations.\u201d <\/p>\n
Coach Tee and Coach Robbie McKinnie have been working with students at Nashville Prep for a year and a half.<\/p>\n
\u201cTheir impact has resonated throughout the hallways, throughout the classrooms,\u201d explained Nashville Prep Principal Shalimar Gates. \u201cWe even get compliments from parents of how they see it showing up at home. So this program is really transforming our students and really impacting our school culture.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re knowing that we love them, and that we\u2019re pouring into them for a purpose,\u201d said Coach Robbie, who also serves as the community partnership director of Counter Punch Youth Academy.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do these kids mean to you?\u201d WSMV4\u2019s Holly Thompson asked Coach Tee.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything. I started this program because I see a lot of these kids in me. When I was growing up, my happy place was going to school and going to the gym,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Through his love of boxing, Coach Tee says they teach students to \u201ccounter punch\u201d adversity with decisions that can transform their lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe challenge these young people to, \u2018Hey, look at yourself in the mirror. Don\u2019t be ashamed of who you are, where you are right now,\u2019\u201d explained Coach Tee. \u201cLet\u2019s focus on where you\u2019re going.\u201d<\/p>\n
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