ABOUT THE FOUNDER

Tara Blackwell was born and raised in Pensacola, Florida. Although she grew up as a multi-sport athlete, Tara's greatest passion was the game of softball. In 2003, upon graduating from Pine Forest High School, Tara began her journey at Troy University, on a softball scholarship. On April 9, 2005, in the middle of her sophomore season as the Trojan's second baseman, and at the prime of her collegiate career, she suffered a cervical spinal cord injury after a practice on an away trip with her team. Tara spent three months at The Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia, where she began learning how to live and function as a quadriplegic. However, very soon after her injury, she decided that her diagnosis would not define her life. 

Upon her injury and returning home, Tara made it her mission to remain on a top of her exercise and therapies in order to maintain the best quality of life. Due to this determination, some of her greatest life achievements have been accomplished since her injury, including independently completing her degree in Criminal Justice through Troy University, as well as working as the Head Coach of the Pine Forest Softball Program from 2013-2016. 

Since then she has made it her mission to maintain optimal health and strength from her own home gym, and now, from The Seven Project; a lifestyle/wellness gym and comprehensive program which she created with aims of quality-of-life enhancement for those living with various physical disabilities. She strives to be an example for others in similar situations, and inspire these clients, while providing a comfortable place for them to reach their highest potential, and where everyone can somehow relate.