Efe Obada has had an incredible rise from his bleak arrival to London as a 10-year-old boy to make it all the way to the NFL. Suited up as a professional American football player for his dream debut for the Carolina Panthers last year, his stunning performance proves he’s made the best of the hurdles he’s had to overcome. The defensive end intercepted a pass in the third quarter in his first game for the Panthers, helping them to win against the Cincinnati Bengals 31-21.

Surviving human trafficking

It’s rare for a British athlete to break into the NFL, and Obada’s far from usual path to this powerful sporting institution gives his story a more Hollywood twist.

Born in Nigeria, he was then trafficked from Holland to London with his sister when he was just 10 years old. His mother had arranged for a stranger to look after them both, but instead Obada was abandoned on the streets of Hackney, East London.

Homeless for two nights, the young Obada and his sister were helped by a security guard and given food and shelter in a local tower block. Another arrangement organised by his mother for a friend to care for them fell through and they were then put into foster care.

Although he stayed with his sister, Obada was bounced around 10 different foster homes in Stockwell and Lambeth. Drawn in by the sense of belonging it offered, he was soon immersed in South London gang culture before he left it behind to move to Stevenage, Hertfordshire.

Never played any competitive sport in his life

His path to American football began soon after, discovering the sport at the age of 21 after being introduced to it by a friend who played for the London Warriors. At 6ft 6in and now weighing an imposing 265 pounds, he was told he had the right physique and to give it a try.

He fit training in the gym around his work as a storeman in a warehouse, working out up to five hours a day, seven days a week. “Proper supplementation and a healthy diet are the perfect fuel in becoming a high-performance athlete, but the effort some guys make to become an athlete is even more important than food or supplements” said Jake Bennet at supplementnation.co.uk.

In the space of just four years, Obada has gone from knowing nothing about American Football to having a locker next to veteran Julius Peppers and playing alongside the likes of Luke Kuechly, regarded as the best linebacker currently in the game. Many players have devoted their entire lives to reach that level.

Unbelievable rise to the Panthers’ roster

After playing five games for the London Warriors in 2014, Obada was spotted by the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. The team picked him up as an undrafted free agent, but he barely understood the rules when he was released by the team.

In March 2016, he was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs, and then the Atlanta Falcons in July 2016, yet never ended up playing for either side. His last opportunity came when he was sent to the Panthers in 2017 as part of the NFL’s International Pathway Programme.Obada’s hard work finally paid off in 2017, when he earned a spot on the 53-man roster of the Carolina Panthers. He’s the first player from the programme to get an NFL contract, and has since been retained as the sixth defensive end on a year-long contract extension worth $570,000 (£432,000). This remarkable achievement is why the NFL’s UK headquarters have named the office after him. What’s even better is that the Panthers will play in London this year, so Obada will get to play in what will feel like a real home game.

Athletes practice with their utmost determination and remain committed towards their sport. An interview was conducted with Andy Huang Coach and power-lifter in Southern California). His experience could answer many questions arising in people’s mind. He gave all his experience credit to the helpers in his life and it is a great appreciation!

What sport do you play? What are your practice hours per week? How would you rate the training, rigorous level?

I’ve been practicing Powerlifting as my sports profession. I stand in the top 3 rankings all over the world based on my “weight class.” In each week, I practiced for 5 days. The training hours remain extremely high in terms of rigorousness. During the workout period, I often lift a weight over 700 to 800 lbs.

During the training, do you feel exhausted or get severe injuries?

Every week, the situation of tiredness and agonizing happens in a repeated manner. While lifting the heavyweights, it invites a toll for my body and health every single day. Every single hour demands a high level of energy which ultimately resulted in a greater level of fatigue and drowsiness. In a month, it is about 5 to 7 days, which make me feel like a ‘normal person.’

What is the role played by CBD products in your life or sport?

CBD products are playing a crucial role in fulfilling the daily essential needs to recover my body.

Have you planned any routine schedule which you follow while recovering from the rigorous practice session?

I am conscious of my muscles and rely on recovery cream for best results. With the CBD oil, it is extremely helpful for me to recover. I use the oil drops just before 20 minutes from going to sleep daily.

Would you like to give any advice to the people who haven’t tried CBD?

There is no problem in giving a trial. One can begin with CBD by consuming a small dose and consequently increasing the dose in accordance with your need. Conduct a little research for any of your queries. Try with a few drops and it won’t be providing any side effects also!

With the help of the interview, the powerlifters might get an overview of the CBD oil consumption in their routine. CBD is completely regarded as a “safe compound” and completely legal which can help in several health conditions as mentioned below:

Reduce pain occurrence of inflammation

CBD acts as a painkiller which reduced the symptoms associated with inflammation. It is a great remedy which cast magic spells over the aches and also helps to treat severe injuries. This results in the easiness of healing bones and muscles. With the presence of “high antispasmodic properties,” it is a cure for the muscle strains also. The spasms in muscles arise due to the occurrence of nerve or spine injuries which is reduced by CBD consumption with a speedy rate. During the CBD consumption, it is a must to be very particular about its dosage according to your medical condition.

Helps in keeping the mind and body relaxed

Every athlete wants to go through a relaxation mode for mind and body. It is the main reason behind the athletes shifting towards supplements ensuring high relaxing impact. When exploring CBD in terms of relaxing effect, it is a great option. CBD acts as a fighter for all the stress in the human mind and body. With the CBD consumption, the cortisol secretion gets reduced which is the main hormone resulting in stressful conditions.

Keep a proper check on insulin levels

CBD is providing great benefits in this area. Now, the question is – Is it related to athletes? The hormone is acting as an influential factor in two particular areas including fat build-up and muscle growth, it particularly depends upon its amount which is present in the bloodstream. During the time when insulin gets inserted into the human muscle, it results in the initiation of certain processes. All these processes play a major role in raising the synthesis of protein. When looking at it in terms of fat build-up, during the time of insulin insertion into the body, the body stops from using any of its fat stores as a source of fuel. The focus starts getting shifted on the “nutrients” from the ingested source.

Buying the right golf equipment is of utmost importance for beginners. However, there are some technical specifications that you need to consider before picking the stuff so that it suits your needs and playing level. Golf clubs, in particular, need to be chosen with care as these determine your comfort level, accuracy, and performance on the turf. Here are some things that you need to bear in mind while buying your first golf clubs.

Start by checking the grip thickness

The properly-sized grip is perhaps the first thing to consider while checking out a golf club. While a thick grip can restrict your hands, a thin one can cause too much hand action while swinging the club. Ideally, the proper thickness is meant to allow the middle and ring finger on the left hand to barely come in contact with the pad of the thumb while holding the club.

Consider the shaft length

Before you buy a club, try using it to decide whether the shaft length works for you. Factors such as your height, strength, and build need to be considered to find the shaft length that is comfortable for you. Tall players, for example, should choose longer shafts. Check the shaft material too as you have the choice between graphite and steel. Choose the former if you are looking for light and flexible material. Steel would be apt in terms of durability and cost-effectiveness. If you need more info to decide, check out this page about golf shafts.

Look for a higher loft

Another useful tip for starters who want to buy their first golf club is to look for a higher loft. The loft is the angle of the club face. A club with a higher loft enables you to hit the ball in the air with greater ease, which will definitely improve your game. A driver with a 10 degree loft or higher is recommended for the players who are taking up the sport for the first time.

Opt for a bigger clubhead

As a beginner, a bigger club head will be ideal because it offers more area for contact with the golf ball. This increases your chances of hitting the ball, which is relatively challenging as a newbie to the sport. You can explore a variety of Driver Heads online or in store to find a size that is just right for you. Consulting an expert is also a good idea. Another handy tip is to buy the ones made of stainless steel.

Check the cost

While the right specifications matter a lot for the new golfers, checking the cost is equally important. After all, you would not want to spend a fortune on the equipment unless you visualize taking up the sport professionally in the near future. Have a clear budget in mind before you start exploring the options at stores or on websites.

Even as a beginner, make sure that you invest in quality golf clubs because these tend to last longer and offer amazing comfort as well. While buying online, going through the specifications thoroughly will help you in making the right choice. Alternatively, be sure to try some practice swings if you are shopping from a store.