Rodney S. is a former professional paintball player but still loves to play the game and be active. He loves the game of paintball for its outdoors and as a great way to exercise. Despite being retired, he says he still has the same passion for it and enjoys playing with his son.
“I started playing professionally in 1990,” shares Rodney. “I pretty much played up until about 2005, and then I went on and coached another team that we brought up. It was as a sister team to the team that I had played with. Bringing on new talent and stuff like that, and eventually you get to the point where, after two knee surgeries, you can’t compete at the highest level.”
He continues, “So, for me now, having my son, and having my son grow up and continue and still having this passion for the game, you know, I have to do everything I possibly can.”
Rodney plays recreationally every weekend with his son, coaching him along the way.
From Pro to Dad: Bonding Through Paintball Across Generations
Rodney first started playing paintball in 1985. He began playing at age 15, despite the standard being age 18 at the time. He played at a park in the north Los Angeles area with his dad.
“My dad took me out to play, we went out into the woods—it was a much different game than what we’re playing now: it was more survivalistic. I went out there and sat in the woods, scared out of my mind, and some guy came walking along and I shot him right in the goggles—the first shot I ever took and it just hooked me,” says Rodney.
He shares, “Growing up, I was the kid in the neighborhood that did the BB gun wars and the water gun fights and we played kick the can and whatever and I was like the kid that always was in charge of all that. And so paintball was the perfect sport for me. I had an injury in high school so I didn’t get to play football and this was like the sport for me. It hooked me, and I got the opportunity and traveled the world doing it. So I eventually became a professional paintball player, have played in multiple continents, [and] won World Championships.”
Now, Rodney’s son is 14 years old and is playing and enjoying that same sport his dad chose to play.
Rodney says he plays paintball for a number of different reasons: it can be a stress reliever, he enjoys it, and it’s a great opportunity to spend time with his son.
He shares, “With my son, to be out there and play with him, it’s a sport that is an equalizer because you’re using a marker. It allows a kid to compete with an adult and it’s being able to think on their field and think out there and enjoy your time. And my time is limited with my son. You know, he’s 14. I’m 53. Hopefully I can play for another 10 to15 years with him and enjoy that time with him. That’s what’s so important to me right now in my life is my son. And being able to be out there with him.”
Rodney says the first time he took his son out to play was when he was 10 years old! It was a lighter version of the sport. His son later realized he also wanted to play the sport at a high level after falling in love with the game himself.
Taking Care of Himself
Rodney says now that he is 53 years old, the important part is doing what he can to take care of himself. He explains that eating right is a lot different now than it was when he grew up.
“Technology’s come a great way and a long way from when I grew up. . . . Nowadays, it’s hard,” he says. “I went out to dinner last night and you’re eating lots of food and there’s not a lot of vegetables, there’s not a lot of fruit. [There’s] so much more processed product nowadays, and so I found Balance of Nature about 4 years ago and started taking it and it’s part of my daily routine now. I take it every single day.”
Enjoying Time With His Kids
Rodney wants to keep in shape enough to keep up with his kids.
“I look at people right now at my age at 53, and I see all sorts of different things. I see guys that are in bad shape and I see them with their kids, and they can’t go out and they can’t run. They can’t do whatever, and my biggest thing is my father’s 85. We’re kind of getting ready to put him into a home and it’s like, what shape do I want to be in? And, you know, life is so short and when you get to your 50s, things start to change. I can either just let it go or I can keep trying so that I can enjoy this time with my kids.”
Rodney says when you have kids and they grow up, your sole focus is them, but they will suddenly go away one day. His biggest motivation is to stay in shape as much as he can so that he can be there for them.
The Game of Paintball
Rodney says there are a lot of different forms of paintball. The biggest difference is being outside versus being inside. He explains that when you’re outside, you have the opportunity to go out on the field and strategize with people, maybe somebody you don’t even know.
“I think the great thing about paintball is being outdoors. It’s not about being indoors, it’s about getting outside, exercising and being with a group of people and completing a task together,” he says.
He adds, “The great part about paintball is that so many different people play. You wouldn’t believe that there’s doctors I’ve met. I’ve met neurosurgeons, I’ve met back surgeons, I’ve met dentists, I’ve met lawyers, attorneys, movie stars, TV stars, all sorts of different people play the game of paintball. And you go out, and you’re with a team and a group of people trying to achieve a task basically, and you’re trying to achieve it together. And so, it’s just a great opportunity that it’s such a mixer of people from all different walks of life and that it just allows you to go out and do a team sport together.”
Rodney and Balance of Nature
Rodney started taking Balance of Nature supplements about 4 years ago.
“It’s been a daily part of my life. Ever since then, I get up in the morning and it’s sitting on my side right when I get out of the shower. I take it with water every single morning.”
Rodney is always trying to stay in the best shape he can. “It’s important for myself and for my children to be there for them and that’s what I want to do. I want to keep going, keep exercising and keep taking Balance of Nature [supplements],” he says. “I feel great, and because of that, [that] then allows me to spend time with my son and play the game of paintball.”
Rodney found out about Balance of Nature from TV and decided to give it a try. He liked the idea of taking a supplement to help fill his needs. “I sit there and figure it out everyday, ‘Hey, how can I get all these things into my diet?’ And the supplement was a much easier thing to do.”
He takes 3 Fruits & 3 Veggies supplements every morning. Rodney says he was looking for a supplement that contained fruit and vegetable ingredients for his diet.
Rodney shares that he looked at other products, but the taste didn’t appeal to him. “One of the other reasons why I chose Balance of Nature supplements was I looked at the other products out there and some are different, are drinks . . . and I didn’t want the taste. I wanted something that was convenient and easy.”
Sharing Things You Enjoy
Rodney says he wants to play paintball until the wheels fall off! He says he met a 75-year-old guy at an event who was still playing at his A-game with his daughter, which inspired him.
“It’s one of those things with exercise, you know, how important is it to you? And doing something that you can enjoy with your child is the best thing ever.”
Rodney says he also has friends who take Balance of Nature supplements. “We’re all in the same demographic and age group, basically, in our 50s. Some have been taking it longer than others—and it’s a lot of people I’ve found out recently. I just started asking people about it, and [was] surprised to find . . . my friend takes it, and then my other friend takes it, my other friend takes it! . . . It’s been a great product, and I do share it with other people and continually ask them, ‘Hey, try this out.’ And if I have extra bottles, I give them out.”
Rodney shares Balance of Nature supplements with everyone.
“At age 53, and when you talk with your friends, and you find out what they’re eating and the crap they’re eating; unfortunately, they don’t eat healthy enough. So you’ve got to supplement, you’ve got to supplement. And, if you can find the right ingredients . . . that’s always going to help you.”
Rodney says he wants to continue taking Balance of Nature supplements for as long as he can.
“It’s been a great product for me.”
Paintball is more than a game for Rodney; it’s a bond that transcends generations. As such, it is important for him to be able to enjoy time with his family. He discovered the value in Balance of Nature supplements.
Get more fruit and vegetable ingredients in your life like Rodney, because the greatest victories are the memories created with those you care about. Learn more about Balance of Nature supplements at out home page.
