Meet a Roadrunner: William Richardson '09 is helping people get fit and serve the community
(November 23, 2016) -- Meet William Richardson '09. This UTSA alumnus is helping San Antonio get up, move and help the community.
Richardson is a founding board member and the current program director of Work Out Help Out, a local non-profit that promotes community service, healthy living and physical activity.
The organization, conceived by his long-time friend Paul Rezaei, brings together volunteers from around the community to complete weekly or monthly service projects. During the projects, Richardson and other certified personal trainers, physical therapists and fitness professionals lead the volunteers in exercise sessions.
"Our goal at Work Out Help Out is to get people moving and to reduce unhealthy behaviors while improving the community," said Richardson, who graduated from the UTSA College of Education and Human Development with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology and exercise science.
He added, "I'm responsible for getting our volunteers out to sites in the community and coordinating the events each weekend. It's a lot of fun. We regularly get repeat volunteers."
For as long as Richardson can remember, he's had a drive to bring out the best in people.
When Richardson came to UTSA, he was enticed by the university's top-tier kinesiology, health and nutrition program, and the quality of the training it provides to students interested in physical therapy, health, nutrition and fitness.
"The classes that I had at UTSA helped me nurture my desire to help others," said Richardson, who graduated cum laude. "I met so many knowledgeable professors and students who helped me learn about the importance of movement and exercise to health."
From learning how to program a fitness regime for people of all ages and training levels to learning all about human physiology, Richardson said that each class provided him with a strong foundation upon which he is now building. He stays in touch with several of his professors in the department due to their shared commitment to addressing the health challenges facing South Texas and beyond.
After attending UTSA, Richardson continued his education and earned a doctor of physical therapy degree in 2015. He now works professionally as a men's personal stylist and as a licensed physical therapist.
"I love seeing people working toward being their best selves. In my role as a physical therapist, I'm able to provide guidance, reassurance and goals to help people improve," he said. "Through Work Out Help Out, I'm finding new ways to serve my community. As a personal stylist, I'm engaging people in finding the style that's right for them. It all fits together for me."
For now, Richardson said he's dedicated to helping Rezaei and his team expand Work Out Help Out's mission beyond San Antonio and Texas while gaining additional experience as a physical therapist.
"My life's mission is to engage the public on matters of health, wellness and personal betterment," he said. "It's a passion I developed at UTSA, and I'm forever grateful that I'm a Roadrunner."
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