StoryCorps Griot: Antonio Douglas & Frank Lynch

From: StoryCorps
Series: StoryCorps
Length: 01:49

Cactus Car Wash owner Frank Lynch talks with his employee and friend, Antonio Douglas, about helping him get in shape. Read the full description.

Piece Audio

Playing: StoryCorps Griot: Antonio Douglas & Frank Lynch
From: StoryCorps

Douglas_small Antonio Douglas, 45, has struggled with his weight for years. In 2007, he underwent gastric bypass surgery to help lose some of his excess weight. After his recovery from the surgery, Douglas returned to work at the Cactus Car Wash, where he was the regional manager. 71-year old Frank Lynch, the owner of the Cactus Car Wash and a friend of Antonio's had been bugging Douglas about his weight long before his surgery. Concerned about Douglas' health, Frank Lynch challenged Antonio to stay in shape.

Here, the two men remember Lynch's challenge to Douglas.

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Piece Description

Antonio Douglas, 45, has struggled with his weight for years. In 2007, he underwent gastric bypass surgery to help lose some of his excess weight. After his recovery from the surgery, Douglas returned to work at the Cactus Car Wash, where he was the regional manager. 71-year old Frank Lynch, the owner of the Cactus Car Wash and a friend of Antonio's had been bugging Douglas about his weight long before his surgery. Concerned about Douglas' health, Frank Lynch challenged Antonio to stay in shape.

Here, the two men remember Lynch's challenge to Douglas.

Broadcast History

NPR's Morning Edition 1.1.10

Transcript

Frank Lynch (FL): When I first met Antonio he was 200 and 70 pounds...

Antonio Douglas (AD): Yup. I always have been kind of a...bad eater. If it didn't move, I ate it and if it moved too slow I ate it. [laughs]

(FL): So one day I says, 'Look Antonio. I'd be really embarrassed if an old guy like me could run faster than you can.' He was so anxious to get back at me he challenged me to this race. I says, 'Okay, I'll take you up on that. But I tell you what--this race isn't going to be on this car wash lot. What we need to do is, we need to go out and rent a small stadium.'

(AD): I had on a tank top that represented NAACP and he had one representing his people, the AARP.

(FL): Unfortunately for him, in the first race he was beaten.

(AD): I'd never ran a hundred meters in my life. Wasn't no way I was going to beat him.

(FL): After the race, I gave him a big hug, you know, and I sa...
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