About Us
Healthy U Enterprise, LLC
History
Stretch-n-Grow, the world's largest network of children's fitness professionals, originated in Galveston, TX in 1992 after Jill and Bob Manly delivered their last child and began to see the alarming rate of decreased health in young children. This sent them on a mission to change the course of children everywhere. Since then, Stretch-n-Grow has expanded to teach over 1 million children in 40 states across the U.S. and in 11 countries around the world.
Celebrating 20 years and Counting!
The Stretch-n-Grow Mission:
- To teach as many children as possible the basics of proper exercise, nutrition, and related health issues.
- To establish patterns and a positive attitude at an early age that will be the foundation for a continuing physical conditioning program and good health.
- To establish patterns and a positive attitude at an early age that will be the foundation for a continuing physical conditioning program and good health.
- To empower parents, caregivers, and educators of young children with current information concerning proper exercise and nutrition, and other related issues, in an effort to encourage each family to participate together in a fitness program.
Experience
Laurie McCarty is the owner and Director of Forrest, Lamar, Jones, Covington, Marion, Perry, Stone, Hancock, Harrison, and Pearly River Counties. As a Result hundreds children are participating throught these area. She has been a Stretch-n-Grow affiliate since January 2006 and has joined partnership with a number of schools and facilities to help the fight against childhood obesity. As a result of these partnerships, over 600 children are participating in Stretch-n-Grow throughout Hattiesburg, Laurel, Collins, and Bay St. Louis.
Laurie is a true believer in promoting health and wellness. Through her experiences as a Registered Dietitian and former gymnastics coach, she is able to implement a program filled with fitness, fun, and learning. Laurie is a certified youth fitness instructor who holds a Bachelors Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. She is a Licensed and Registered Dietitian and a Certified Health and Fitness Instructor by the American College of Sports Medicine. Laurie is working to provide a program where all children have the opportunity to learn how to live a healthy lifestyle.
Youth Fitness Guidelines
Our Youth Fitness Guidelines are in compliance with AFAA (Aerobic and Fitness Association of America), ACE (American Council on Exercise), ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine), and AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics). Our curriculum and exercises are safe, effective, and age-appropriate.
Advisory Board
All curriculum and exercises were developed under the supervision of an Advisory Board consisting of pediatricians, nutritionists, educators, and fitness professionals. Our Advisory Board and Affiliate Council regularly review our program to ensure that our participants enjoy the most effective and safe exercises for children.
Meet Our Coaches
Stretch-n-Grow upholds high standards for their coaches. All Stretch-n-Grow coaches are CPR and First Aid Trained, must have a complete state background check and also maintain continuing education requirements each year. Most important, each of our coaches are a Youth Fitess Certified Professional and must complete a rigorous training process and pass a comprehensive written test to prove their abilities to educate children in the area of health and fitness.
- Coach Laurie
- Coach Ernest
- Coach Jessica
- Coach Betsy
- Coach Anna
- Coach Shae
Interested in becoming a Stretch-n-Grow coach?
Click on Employment Opportunities and find out how!
Coach Jillian
Coach Jilllian Holloway is twenty-seven years old and resides in Laurel, MS. She has a B.S. degree in Exercise Science from the University of Southern Mississippi. Jillian was a fitness specialist in Jackson for five years. She recently moved back home to be with her family and attend William Carey University to pursue a degree in nursing.
"I enjoy health and fitness. My goal in life is to help everyone possible to become healthier and teach them the importance of daily exercise." -Jillian Holloway
Program Highlights
- Interactivity
- Appropriate Physical Movements
- Music
- Equipment
- Cognitive Lessons
- Continuous Movement
- Warm-up Activity Stories
- Age-appropriate Workouts
- Cool Downs
- Physical Conditioning
