Misconceptions About Teenagers: Featuring Lamar Senior Jacob O’Nan

High school students are often labeled as lazy, glued to their phones, or unwilling to listen to adults. Across the country, new phone laws in schools have only reinforced this perception, making teenagers seem more distracted than dedicated. But the reality is far more complex. Many high schoolers are hardworking, motivated, and determined to improve themselves. 

Seventeen-year-old senior Jacob O’Nan is one of them. Far from fitting the stereotype, O’Nan dedicates himself to staying healthy, active, and disciplined—habits that have transformed his daily life. 

“In quarantine, I got really unhealthy, and I knew I had to change,” O’Nan says. “I’m not the kind of person who sits around and lets things get bad, so I knew I had to do something.” 

For O’Nan, that “something” turned into a complete lifestyle shift. Today, he works out every single day, starting his mornings with 90 pushups before heading to school. 

He’s a member of both the football and golf teams, though his athletic background stretches further. In the past, he’s competed in cross-country and soccer, always looking for new challenges to push his limits. 

“Sports are always fun, and golf is nice as a way to exercise without completely exerting myself and being super sore the next day,” he explains. 

Working out every day can be a difficult task to keep up with, but with the right motivation and support, it can become a fun and fulfilling hobby. He goes on to say that his whole family, as well as his friends, continue to be his motivation, and he even got his girlfriend into working out with him. 

Starting his day with 90 pushups, O’Nan keeps a consistent workout routine going, and he and his brother bond over football, golf, and working out together to keep each other in check and the best versions of themselves in their day-to-day life. 

“Most of my friends are into swimming as well, and their workouts are fun to do, so they often drag me along with them so I’m not always working out by myself,” O’Nan says. 

With his company, he feels most productive and has the most fun while still staying productive. “My family helps me a lot with remaining the best version of myself, and I’m really grateful for that because without them, I would probably be in the same place I was five years ago.” 

He appreciates his support team because of how far they have helped him come as a person. In his senior year, O’Nan is trying to keep things low-key with all the activities he has going on in his life, while still staying consistent. 

When asked what advice he would give people who want to get into the gym or stay healthy and consistent, even his younger self, he says that you should always know when to push yourself. “You aren’t going to get anywhere if you stay within the bounds of the same three or four workouts. You have to get uncomfortable sometimes, and that’s okay.” Everyone starts somewhere, and there’s always room to improve and grow, whether it’s your biceps or your mindset; you can make it happen.”