Exercise program grows into career

By By Penny Randall / staff writer
Sept. 22, 2002
Looking at David Carr now, no one would believe he was once 65 pounds overweight.
In 1974, Carr was 21 years old. He and Jennifer had just married and the happy newlyweds settled into a life together.
Within a year, like most newlyweds, Carr gained weight. It was his wife's excitement about exercising that piqued Carr's interest.
Jennifer heard about a yoga class at Meridian Community College.
Following the yoga classes, David joined The Metro Health Center.
In 1987, he began teaching after his instructor passed away.
Carr has about 75 students at Black Eagle Martial Arts; the youngest is 4 and oldest is 60. Jennifer teaches 60 students in her yoga and kick-boxing aerobics classes at the school.
Carr said respect is a big part of martial arts. "When you bow, you're paying respect to the other person. It's not a religious thing," he said.
Carr said people have a misconception that martial arts is only for children.