Florida, USA, Jun 06, 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — Former football athlete Therrian Fontenot is speaking out about the importance of discipline, mentorship and structured environments for young people, drawing from his own journey from Louisiana to Los Angeles and eventually to collegiate and professional football.

Fontenot, who earned a full scholarship to Fresno State after standing out at Leuzinger High School in Los Angeles, says organised sports helped shape his mindset and gave him direction during critical years of his life.

“Football gave me structure early,” Fontenot says. “It taught me accountability, consistency and how to stay focused on long-term goals.”

His message comes as youth participation in organised sports continues to decline across the United States. According to data from the Aspen Institute’s Project Play initiative, fewer than 40 per cent of children between ages 6 and 12 regularly participate in team sports. Research has also shown that structured extracurricular activities can improve academic performance, social development and long-term confidence in young people.

Fontenot believes those lessons extend far beyond athletics.

“Sports teach you how to work with people, how to deal with pressure and how to stay disciplined even when things get difficult,” he says. “Those are life skills, not just football skills.”

After attending Fresno State, Fontenot left college early to pursue a professional football career. Although his time playing professionally was relatively short, he says the experience reinforced the importance of preparation and resilience.

“At that level, everybody has talent,” Fontenot explains. “The difference comes from mindset, discipline and preparation.”

Today, Fontenot continues to focus on fitness, weight training and personal development while building Help2Others, an early-stage charitable initiative centred on encouragement, growth and community support.

“I want to create something positive that helps people stay motivated,” he says. “A lot of people just need direction and support.”

According to the National Alliance for Youth Sports, around 70 per cent of children stop playing organised sports by age 13, often due to pressure, burnout or lack of access. Fontenot believes communities can help change that by creating more supportive environments for young people.

“Not everybody grows up with strong structure around them,” he says. “Sometimes having the right coach, mentor or environment can completely change somebody’s path.”

Fontenot is encouraging individuals and families to focus on practical ways to support discipline and personal growth in everyday life, including:

• Encouraging consistent routines and healthy habits

• Supporting local youth sports and mentorship programmes

• Promoting teamwork, accountability and resilience

• Staying physically active and mentally focused

• Leading by example through actions and consistency

“You don’t have to do something huge to make a difference,” Fontenot says. “Sometimes it starts with simply showing up, staying disciplined and helping somebody stay encouraged.”

As he continues building the next chapter of his life, Fontenot says the lessons from football still guide him every day.

“The biggest thing I learned is that growth takes work,” he says. “You keep showing up, keep improving and keep moving forward.”

To read the full interview, visit the website here.

About Therrian Fontenot

Therrian Fontenot is a former football athlete born in Louisiana and raised in Los Angeles, California. He graduated from Leuzinger High School in 2000 before earning a full football scholarship to Fresno State and later pursuing a professional football career. Today, he focuses on fitness, personal development and building his charitable initiative, Help2Others, centred on encouragement, discipline and community support.

Florida, USA, Jun 06, 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — Former football athlete Therrian Fontenot is speaking out about the importance of discipline, mentorship and structured environments for young people, drawing from his own journey from Louisiana to Los Angeles and eventually to collegiate and professional football.

Fontenot, who earned a full scholarship to Fresno State after standing out at Leuzinger High School in Los Angeles, says organised sports helped shape his mindset and gave him direction during critical years of his life.

“Football gave me structure early,” Fontenot says. “It taught me accountability, consistency and how to stay focused on long-term goals.”

His message comes as youth participation in organised sports continues to decline across the United States. According to data from the Aspen Institute’s Project Play initiative, fewer than 40 per cent of children between ages 6 and 12 regularly participate in team sports. Research has also shown that structured extracurricular activities can improve academic performance, social development and long-term confidence in young people.

Fontenot believes those lessons extend far beyond athletics.

“Sports teach you how to work with people, how to deal with pressure and how to stay disciplined even when things get difficult,” he says. “Those are life skills, not just football skills.”

After attending Fresno State, Fontenot left college early to pursue a professional football career. Although his time playing professionally was relatively short, he says the experience reinforced the importance of preparation and resilience.

“At that level, everybody has talent,” Fontenot explains. “The difference comes from mindset, discipline and preparation.”

Today, Fontenot continues to focus on fitness, weight training and personal development while building Help2Others, an early-stage charitable initiative centred on encouragement, growth and community support.

“I want to create something positive that helps people stay motivated,” he says. “A lot of people just need direction and support.”

According to the National Alliance for Youth Sports, around 70 per cent of children stop playing organised sports by age 13, often due to pressure, burnout or lack of access. Fontenot believes communities can help change that by creating more supportive environments for young people.

“Not everybody grows up with strong structure around them,” he says. “Sometimes having the right coach, mentor or environment can completely change somebody’s path.”

Fontenot is encouraging individuals and families to focus on practical ways to support discipline and personal growth in everyday life, including:

• Encouraging consistent routines and healthy habits

• Supporting local youth sports and mentorship programmes

• Promoting teamwork, accountability and resilience

• Staying physically active and mentally focused

• Leading by example through actions and consistency

“You don’t have to do something huge to make a difference,” Fontenot says. “Sometimes it starts with simply showing up, staying disciplined and helping somebody stay encouraged.”

As he continues building the next chapter of his life, Fontenot says the lessons from football still guide him every day.

“The biggest thing I learned is that growth takes work,” he says. “You keep showing up, keep improving and keep moving forward.”

To read the full interview, visit the website here.

About Therrian Fontenot

Therrian Fontenot is a former football athlete born in Louisiana and raised in Los Angeles, California. He graduated from Leuzinger High School in 2000 before earning a full football scholarship to Fresno State and later pursuing a professional football career. Today, he focuses on fitness, personal development and building his charitable initiative, Help2Others, centred on encouragement, discipline and community support.

• Barrie-based Georgian Mall Family Dental is encouraging families to focus on positive early dental experiences to help children build healthier lifelong habits.

BARRIE, ON, Jun 06, 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — Georgian Mall Family Dental is raising awareness about dental anxiety in children and the long-term impact early experiences can have on lifelong oral health habits.

The Barrie dental practice says more families are struggling with children who fear dental visits, often because of stress, uncertainty, or negative first experiences. The clinic is encouraging parents to rethink how children are introduced to dental care and focus on making those early visits calm, positive, and routine.

“Children remember how they felt more than anything else,” says Dr. Rebecca Hulbert, founder of Georgian Mall Family Dental. “We had a little boy who wouldn’t even walk past reception during his first visit. One of our team members sat on the floor with him and played with toy cars for fifteen minutes. By the end of the appointment, he let us count his teeth.”

According to the Canadian Dental Association, many adults with dental anxiety developed those fears during childhood. Studies also show that children with positive early dental experiences are more likely to maintain regular visits and preventive habits later in life.

That connection is why the clinic believes the patient experience matters as much as the treatment itself.

Early Experiences Shape Long-Term Habits 

Dental anxiety remains one of the biggest reasons patients avoid care. Research estimates that nearly one-third of Canadians experience some level of dental fear or stress.

For children, those fears can start early.

When appointments feel rushed or overwhelming, kids may begin associating dental care with discomfort or fear. Over time, that can lead to delayed visits and larger oral health problems.

Georgian Mall Family Dental says small adjustments can make a major difference:

• introducing children to the office gradually

• using calm communication

• creating kid-friendly spaces

• allowing children time to feel comfortable before treatment

The clinic built a dedicated kids zone to help reduce stress before appointments even begin.

“We noticed children relax when they have time to play first,” says Dr. Hulbert. “One little girl came in crying before her appointment. After twenty minutes in the kids zone, she was showing us her stuffed animal’s teeth and pretending to be the dentist.”

The clinic says these moments help build trust and normalize dental care at an early age.

Creating a Family-First Environment 

Georgian Mall Family Dental was founded in 2013 with a focus on creating a family-friendly experience for patients of all ages.

The practice offers evening and weekend hours to accommodate busy families and emphasizes communication and patient comfort throughout the visit.

“We never force children into the chair,” says Dr. Hulbert. “Sometimes a first visit is simply about meeting the team, exploring the office, and taking a fun ‘chair ride.’ Those small moments help children feel comfortable, and that comfort can shape how they feel about dental care for years to come.” 

The clinic says parents also play an important role in shaping how children view dental care.

“Kids pick up on stress quickly,” she says. “If parents treat appointments like something scary, children often do the same. We encourage families to make it feel normal and positive.”

The Importance of Preventive Care 

The clinic is also using this awareness effort to encourage preventive dental care.

The Canadian Dental Association recommends that children visit a dentist within six months of their first tooth appearing or by age one. Early visits help identify problems sooner and create familiarity with dental care before fear develops.

Georgian Mall Family Dental says preventive habits are easier to build when children feel comfortable returning regularly.

“We’ve had kids who started visiting us as toddlers and now remind their parents about appointments,” says Dr. Hulbert. “That’s when you know the routine has become part of their life instead of something they fear.”

A Call to Action for Parents 

The clinic is encouraging parents to take small steps that help children feel more comfortable with dental care:

• start visits early

• speak positively about appointments

• avoid using fear-based language

• create consistent routines around oral health

• choose environments designed for families and children

“Children don’t need perfect experiences,” says Dr. Hulbert. “They just need experiences where they feel safe, listened to, and comfortable coming back.”

The clinic hopes the conversation around dental anxiety continues to shift toward prevention, patience, and the creation of healthier long-term habits for families.

About Georgian Mall Family Dental

Georgian Mall Family Dental is a family-focused dental practice located inside Georgian Mall in Barrie, Ontario. Founded in 2013 by Dr. Rebecca Hulbert, the clinic was built around patient experience, preventive care, and family values. The practice serves patients of all ages and is known for its welcoming environment, kid-friendly approach, and commitment to helping patients feel comfortable and informed throughout their care.