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   Franco Donadelli fought obesity throughout his childhood. At his heaviest, he weighed 230 pounds. But it wasn’t until he was pre-diabetic and began having knee problems that he knew he needed to do something about it.   When he was 14, Franco began playing basketball at the Plant City Family YMCA. His basketball coach could see he had potential to play much better if he could lose some weight. “He could see that I would get exhausted running up the court, so he was the one to introduce me to the weight room,” recalls Franco. “I fell in love with it, so I started watching videos on YouTube about exercise and nutrition,” recalls Franco. He eliminated sodas, cookies and sweets.   Now, at age 18, Franco is down to a healthy 160-165, “depending on the day.” Franco was surprised at all the life lessons he learned throughout his journey. “To really want change, you have to completely drop everything that you are doing and start from zero,” says Franco.   “My confidence went up,” shares Franco. “When you love yourself, whatever people say will not really affect you because you know your worth.” Franco says, “There’s no shortcut to working out. Every day that you are here (YMCA) you get stronger, faster than the day before. I want to be a better version than I was the day before.”   It’s only natural that Franco now gives back to the same Y that changed his life. “I’ve been here 10 years. The Y has seen me grow up and I want to be a part of something as great as the YMCA because I have seen what it has done for me,” shares Franco. “Here in the YMCA, I see people who haven’t had the best day. The weight room is the best therapy. I tell them to work out their inner demons.”   In addition to working in wellness, youth sports and in the Stay & Play, Franco also volunteers as a Y basketball coach. “I might one day find a kid that needs a little bit of guidance and I want to be a mentor,” says Franco. “Some kids may not have the best relationships with their parents and I will do anything in my power to help because these kids are our future.”   The Tampa Y provides the right equipment, programs and people to help determined health seekers, like Franco, reach their healthy living goals. Click here to learn about all the healthy living programs offered at your local Y.  
  Pictured above: Franco Donadelli lost 70 pounds thanks to the hard work and dedication he put in at the Plant City Y.