Bay Bay McClinton, center, will be calling the shots at Boot Camp: The Fitness Challenge on Sept 13. Courtesy photo

Special to the Southside Reporter

As an athlete and a trainer, “Bay Bay” McClinton (known as “The Punisher”) knows the importance of physical health and fitness; as the founder of Bay Bay’s Kids & All Sports Foundation, he has always dedicated himself to the mission of improving the health and fitness of San Antonio’s youth. Now, McClinton has found a unique way to continue that mission.

“As a trainer, you can tell people what they need to do,” McClinton said. “But that’s not enough. When they can see you doing it, they start to think, ‘Hey, I can do that too,’ so the message is that much stronger.”

To bring that message home, McClinton has invited local fitness professionals and special celebrity guests to participate in Boot Camp: The Fitness Challenge, on Sept. 13, from 8 a.m. to noon, at the Don Strange Ranch, 103 Waring Welfare Road in Boerne.

There will also be the H-E-B Health and Fitness Fair on Sept. 13, from 1 to 5 p.m., at H-E-B Plus, 6818 S. Zarzamora St. Harvey Walden IV, a star of VH-1’s reality series Celebrity Fit Club, will take the stage at 3:30 p.m. to answer questions and sign copies of his book, “Harvey Walden’s No Excuses! Fitness Workout.”

Other events will include free health screenings, healthy cooking demonstrations, giveaways and raffles, an obstacle course for kids, and musical performances. Food and drinks will be provided to attendees, and a free shuttle service, with buses leaving at 7:15 a.m., will be available to transport them between H-E-B Plus and Don Strange Ranch, giving everyone a chance to attend both events and still save on gas.

For Boot Camp, teams will compete in a series of events designed to test their strength, endurance, and fitness; participants will include independent trainers, as well as representatives of area gyms.

“We’re not going to make this easy for the trainers,” McClinton said. “It’s going to take everything they’ve got. They’ll have to check their egos at the door, get out on the field, and do it.”

McClinton will serve as a celebrity coach and color commentator at the event, along with Walden.

Both events will be free and open to the public, with the donation of a new or gently used athletic item, to be distributed to area schools