News

Inspirational personal trainer Javeno Mclean takes disabled gym-goers to Parklife 2023

Every time we see this fella he seems to become more of a legend.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 13th June 2023

Personal trainer and gym owner Javeno Mclean continues to be an absolute legend as he recently shared a video of him taking a number of his disabled clients to this year’s Parklife Festival.

The Manchester-based fitness guru hasn’t just been helping people get in shape for the past two decades, he’s become a viral figure online for his wholesome videos with numerous disabled and elderly individuals who come along to his gym every week to get in some exercise.

A former cricketer who has gone on to earn numerous accolades including a Community Hero Award for his work around Greater Manchester, as well as Gym of the Year and being crowned the world record holder for the biggest disabled exercise and wheelchair classes, he is much more than your normal PT.

Part of the reason he has become so loved on social media is because of the deep connection with his clients and how he motivates those who are physically challenged — all of which he does with pure positivity. Case and point: taking a big group of them to Parklife to remind us partying is for everyone.

@javeno7 They never belived this could happen…yesterday i took them to parklife..we set an example for so many people..im honoured #f#fitnessindustrye#empowermenta#allbodiesaregoodbodiest#tiktokusav#viralfypシ f#fitnessinfluencerd#disabilityl#lovef#fypg#gymtok ♬ original sound – Javeno mclean

Nothing to see here other than pure joy.

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As he wrote in the caption, while many of his regular gym-goers “didn’t believe they could ever go to Parklife”, they showed the world this past weekend “that a disability isn’t a barrier to living and enjoying life” — that’s the Javeno Mclean mantra.

The 38-year-old went on to describe the group festival trip as “one of the most eye-opening and amazing experiences of [his] life… It was more than a day out, it was an example to the world set by some of the most unbelievable people on this planet”.

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What a guy.

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Mclean runs the J7 Health Centre over on Old Market Street outside the city centre towards Blackley and has been doing some truly incredible work for the local community, as well as people with dementia, mental issues and other disabilities — all for absolutely nothing.

Give it up for this absolute saint, and if you know of anyone who you think might benefit from the kind of support Javeno provides, you can visit his website HERE.

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Keep up the great work, mate.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — Javeno Mclean (via TikTok)

News

Rio Ferdinand is stepping away from TNT Sports after more than a decade

Danny Jones Danny Jones Rio Ferdinand leaving TNT Sports

Manchester United legend and ex-England international Rio Ferdinand has announced he will be stepping away from TNT Sports, leaving more than a decade with the broadcaster.

Ferdinand has spent the best part of the last 10 years serving as a leading pundit and analyst, as well as hosting his own ‘Rio Meets’ online series – the interview format of which has been replicated on his YouTube channel.

However, after having been one of their main anchors both under the BT Sport and even more so since the inception of the rebranded TNT Sports Football umbrella, the 46-year-old has confirmed he has now quit their regular coverage following the Champions League final this weekend.

In a lengthy statement on social media, the ex-Man United defender, who also played for Leeds, West Ham, Bournemouth and QPR, described it as a “difficult decision.”

Taking time to thank the network for their “tremendous support” over the years, especially those “behind the scenes, whose work often goes unseen but has been essential to our success.”

Noting that TNT themselves have acquired TV rights for many more live sports in recent times, he assures he will remain an interested viewer for the “exciting future that lies ahead.”

The talented centre-back retired in May 2015 after more than 500 appearances and 81 national team caps, making an almost immediate switch into punditry and remaining a household name.

Rio has also remained a popular figure at Old Trafford and, indeed, across various parts of Manchester since leaving United in 2014.

For instance, his self-titled Foundation has carried out some truly transformational local outreach across various boroughs, as it has back in his home city of London.

Rio Ferdinand is helping change young lives with community programmes in Oldham and Salford

Responding to the news, TNT Sports said nothing more than “Thanks for everything, Rio”; meanwhile, fellow former Red, Danny Simpson (who retired last year and also works as a pundit/presenter for MUTV) added: “You’re going to be missed, bro. Every time you’re on, you give us all the mad insight.”

However, he has promised he will remain in the media industry, continuing to work under the Rio Ferdinand Presents digital brand and pursuing “other business interests”.

With his ‘Rio Reacts’ and ‘Vibe with FIVE’ series regularly raking in millions of views, he might not be on the box during European nights but you’ll still be seeing plenty of him.

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Av Web Summit/James Adams (via Flickr)/TNT Sports (screenshot via YouTube)

News

Rare bat-eared foxes have arrived at Chester Zoo for the first time in more than 30 years

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Bat-eared fox at Chester Zoo

It’s time to say a big hello, as rare bat-eared foxes have now arrived at Chester Zoo.

The two sisters, named Maasai and Malindi, have been welcomed by conservationists after travelling more than 500 miles from a zoo in Paris, and they are the first mammals of their kind to come to Chester Zoo in more than 30 years.

First images show the pair exploring their home in the zoo’s new Heart of Africa habitat – which officially opened to the public back in March, and is the largest zoo development ever undertaken in the UK, spanning more than 22.5 acres in size.

The adorable – but rather unique-looking – bat-eared fox is named after its distinctive oversized ears and is native to the open savannahs and arid grasslands of eastern and southern Africa.

They live for around 13 years on average, and their characteristically large ears help regulate their body temperature and enhance their incredible hearing, allowing them to prey like detect insects moving underground.

The species faces increasing threats in the wild, largely due to the loss of their habitat caused by agriculture, human encroachment, and hunting.

This is why Chester Zoo has long been at the forefront of protecting African wildlife.

Its teams’ have been supporting everything from the safe translocation of northern giraffes to protected national parks in Uganda, to developing cutting-edge AI trail cameras to protect giant pangolins from illegal trafficking in recent years.

Bat-eared fox at Chester Zoo
Bat-eared fox at Chester Zoo
Bat-eared foxes have arrived at Chester Zoo for the first time in 30 years / Credit: Chester Zoo

“It’s incredibly exciting to welcome bat-eared foxes back to Chester Zoo after a 30-year hiatus,” commented David White, who is the Twilight Team Manager at Chester Zoo.

“Both Maasai and Malindi are settling in well so far, spending much of their time exploring their expansive home and getting to know their new housemates – a family of twelve Cape porcupines. These two species would often come across one another in the wild, so we’ve recreated this right here at Chester.

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“In time, we hope to introduce one of the two sisters to a male fox, with the hope that we can contribute to the European conservation breeding programme, helping to ensure there’s a healthy, genetically diverse back-up population in human care.

Featured Image – Chester Zoo

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