Achieve Your Desired Weight with Help from Innovative Health and Wellness

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The Top Weight Loss Clinic in Riverwood, GA

Being fit and healthy is more popular than ever in today's health-conscious society. Despite being trendy, many men and women in our country still find it hard to shed unwanted pounds. They stick to a healthy diet and go to the gym on a regular basis but still aren't able to achieve the weight loss results they crave. They notice stubborn fat deposits around areas like the arms, stomach, and neck. These fatty areas are undoubtedly unsightly, but also a potential sign that serious health issues may be present, like heart disease.

If you're nodding your head in agreement as you read this, take it as a sign that it's time to address your weight problems. Because, if we're being honest, obesity is a major problem in the U.S. - according to research from the NIH, over 30% of people are obese in the U.S. Obese men and women are at a greater risk of severe issues, including:

  • Stroke
  • Heart Disease
  • Sleep Apnea
  • Diabetes
  • Joint Pain
  • High Blood Pressure
  • ED
  • Respiratory Problems
  • More

Service Areas

In the past, short-sighted people would say, "Stop complaining and stop eating. You'll lose weight." What those people failed to realize is that healthy, long-term weight loss won't happen quickly or through starvation. When done correctly, proper weight loss involves guidance and care from licensed physicians with your best interests at heart. That's where Innovative Health and Wellness comes in - a weight loss clinic in Riverwood, GA, dedicated to helping clients lose weight effectively.

medical-weight

Comprehensive Exam from a Medical Weight Loss Professional

Our team of experts will work closely with you to develop a personalized program to manage your weight and meet your goals.

Tripeptides

Tripeptides and Lip B Injections

Tri-peptides have become quite popular are used to help reduce signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles, by improving the skin's elasticity., including FDA-approved weight loss medication and vitamin supplements, help reduce appetite and cravings and promote fat burning.

Nutrition

Lifestyle and Nutrition Counseling

To lose weight and truly keep it off, you've got to make healthy lifestyle choices and changes. Our physicians provide you with the counseling needed to kickstart your lifestyle changes and help change the way you view exercise, food, and nutrition.

Semaglutide

Semaglutide Weight Loss Injections

Semaglutide is an FDA-approved medication that achieved remarkable weight loss results in trials, with up to 40% of the participants losing 20% of their body weight.

Weight Loss

Weight Loss Meds Approved by the FDA

We'll prescribe you FDA-approved vitamins and supplements that help support weight loss and optimize your well-being for the long haul.

To help you understand the true benefits of seeing our weight loss doctors, it's important you first understand what obesity is and what causes it to affect so many Americans.

What is Obesity and What Causes the Disease?

When you become a member of our weight loss clinic in Riverwood, GA, you'll learn quickly that obesity is a multifaceted disease. It's most often characterized by the accumulation of excessive body fat. Though it's typically characterized as a cosmetic concern, it's actually a serious medical problem that increases your risk of severe health complications. Often, obese individuals find it challenging to shed weight due to environmental, genetic, and physiological factors.

Our FDA-approved program includes:

Sleep

Not Enough Sleep

Lack of sleep can have negative impacts on your body as it can lead to increased appetite and hormonal changes, ultimately causing obesity. It's very important that you get enough sleep to maintain your well-being, and by proxy, your weight.

Medications

Medications and Health Conditions

Some hormone problems, as well as certain medications, can lead to weight gain. This includes conditions like an underactive thyroid, Cushing syndrome, and polycystic ovary syndrome, as well as medications like antidepressants, corticosteroids, and seizure medications.

Empty Calories

Empty Calories

Popular beverages like beers and sodas are chock-full of liquid calories that never fill you up. Mix in dehydration from lack of water and a poor diet, and you've got an equation that almost always equals obesity.

Constant Stress

Constant Stress

We live in a day and time where stress from work and from life is a prevalent as obesity. When you're stressed, it's easy to give in and consume unhealthy foods like candies and burritos. While doing so can give you a short spike of dopamine, it won't last. Eating sweets and fast foods is one of the worst ways to deal with stress.

Genetics

Genetics

Studies indicate that genetics can influence the development of obesity. In fact, certain genetic disorders, such as Prader-Willi syndrome, can lead directly to obesity. Genes may also make some individuals more susceptible to weight gain. However, researchers believe that other factors, such as a sedentary lifestyle or a diet rich in calorie-dense foods, are also necessary for a person to become overweight.

Sedentary

Sedentary Lifestyle

If you aren't very active on a daily basis, chances are you're eating more calories than your body is able to burn off. With the advent of smart devices and other popular entertainment options, living a sedentary life is more common than ever.

Poor Diet

Poor Diet

This one is a no-brainer. If you only eat greasy burgers and carb-packed foods, you'll continue to gain weight.

Smoking Cessation

Smoking Cessation

When you quit smoking, your body can literally breathe a breath of fresh air. However, quitting cigarettes and nicotine can also cause weight fluctuations. When left to spiral out of control, it can lead to obesity.

What are the Consequences of Living with Obesity?

Many obese Americans are shamed daily for how they look. It never feels good to be made fun of or stared at, but obese people have more to worry about than what others think. They are at risk for several fatal or long-term health issues. Many of those issues are among the leading causes of death in the U.S. Generally, the more you weigh, the greater chance you have of developing bad and even fatal complications such as:

 Medical Weight Loss Riverwood, GA

If you have one or more of the symptoms or conditions listed above, don't get too down on yourself. You're not destined to live an unhealthy life. When you choose medical weight loss help from a clinic like Innovative Health and Wellness, you can turn your life around and steer it toward a path of positivity and productivity.

  • Heart Attack
  • Stroke
  • Cancer
  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • Joint and Muscle Degeneration
  • Blood Clots
  • Fatty Liver Disease
  • Incontinence
  • Gallstones
  • Breathing Issues
  • Acid Reflux and Chronic Heartburn
 Semaglutide Weight Loss Riverwood, GA

Understanding the Dangers of Fad and Yo-Yo Diets

When you're obese and learn that you're at risk for major health events like heart attacks and strokes, it can make you anxious and want to lose weight ASAP. Unfortunately, many overweight people turn to fad diets and "lose weight quick" programs.

If you were to ask a random person on the street to name a trendy diet, they could probably name one, past or present. Diets like Paleo, South Beach Atkins, and Keto are well-known to most people. However, the issue with these diets is that they may not work for everyone, and even when they do, the outcomes are not always long-lasting.

Some common characteristics of unhealthy fad diets include:

  • Unrealistic and unhealthy weight loss practices
  • "Special" food sources that help weight "melt away"
  • Quick weight loss without needing to exercise or stick to a healthy diet
  • Fad diets are usually bad about prioritizing good nutrition. Instead, they tout extreme life choices or sketchy pills. While FDA-approved medicines such as Semaglutide injections have been shown to be effective when prescribed by a doctor, using a fad diet is counterproductive to healthy living.
  • If you're struggling with your weight, it is likely that you are feeling stressed and trying to find an effective solution. You may have already tried multiple fad diets, unsafe diet pills, or even invested in workout equipment that you never use. Yet, despite your best efforts, you're still struggling. If this sounds familiar, it could be because you never received clinical guidance at a weight loss clinic in Riverwood, GA.
  • The most effective solution to your weight problem begins with a medical weight loss plan from Innovative Health and Wellness. Instead of following a fad diet, we encourage you to speak to one of our weight loss clinicians who can help you lose those unwanted pounds in an enjoyable, efficient manner that is tailored to your body, not someone else's.
 Peptide Weight Loss Riverwood, GA

Top 5 Benefits of Using a Weight Loss Clinic in Riverwood, GA

Maintaining a healthy weight is a positive habit that can keep you happy and fit. However, weight loss isn't just about fitting into old clothes from college or looking good on a date night. It's about feeling better and improving your overall health in the long run. Achieving that goal is where working with a medical weight loss clinic starts to make a lot of sense.

Some additional benefits of choosing a weight loss clinic include:

 GLP-1 Weight Loss Riverwood, GA

No Surgery Needed

Although weight loss surgery can be effective, it involves risks and a long recovery period. Can you imagine wanting to lose weight but having to wait weeks or longer to recover from an intense, invasive procedure? Medical weight loss programs - like those at Innovative Health and Wellness - aim to help individuals achieve weight loss goals without the need for surgery. Therefore, medical weight loss programs are designed to provide a safer and less invasive approach to weight loss management.

 Medical Weight Loss Clinic Riverwood, GA

Customized Diet and Exercise Plans for Your Body

At Innovative Health and Wellness, we understand that a one-size-fits-all diet doesn't work for everyone and often leads to failure or yo-yo dieting. That's why we offer a personalized weight loss program tailored to your individual needs - not someone who matches your general body type, age, and weight. In fact, we take the time to understand your history and the contributing factors to your unique case, and then we help you develop a healthy diet plan that's best suited for you.

Our weight loss program also includes nutritional counseling to teach you how to make healthy food choices. You'll have access to medical professionals who are there to support you every step of the way, answer any questions, and provide encouragement. With our personalized weight loss program, you can achieve your weight loss goals and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Weight Loss Clinic  Riverwood, GA

Learn How to Exercise Safely and Effectively

Losing weight is not just about following a diet plan. It requires a complete change in lifestyle and an active routine. A medical weight loss program can assist you in learning about the best exercises for your body and current physical condition. Having a support system while dieting is crucial, and having an exercise counselor to keep you motivated and on track is often the key to success for those who find it difficult to commit to a workout schedule.

Our medical experts will guide you in understanding which exercises to do, how much and how often. They will also let you know when it's time to adjust your exercise regimen.

 Medical Weight Loss Riverwood, GA

Lose Weight Safely

Using a weight loss clinic to help you lose weight isn't just effective - it's one of the safest ways to shed lbs., too. Without professional supervision from a weight loss clinician, you run the risk of:

  • Unbalanced nutrients and calories
  • Putting yourself under unneeded mental stress
  • Developing an eating disorder
  • Hurting yourself by exercising too much or exercising incorrectly
  • Becoming victim to yo-yo dieting and losing weight too fast

If you're looking to lose weight fast with no diet needed, it might be time to recalibrate your priorities. At Innovative Health and Wellness, our clinicians don't only focus on helping you lose weight. They also address issues related to hormone imbalances, physical therapy, high blood pressure, chiropractic concerns, and overall diet. We're committed to changing your life, one healthy choice at a time.

 Semaglutide Weight Loss Riverwood, GA

Supervised Weight Loss and Exercise

People who are overweight and wish to start dieting or exercising should be careful not to do so without proper supervision. Without guidance, they may become frustrated, feel defeated, and ultimately either give up or revert to their old habits.

When a doctor supervises a weight loss program, you are more likely to follow the recommended diet and exercise routines because they are tailored to suit your specific needs. Plus, medical professionals do not judge you; they accept you as you are and support and encourage you to increase your chances of success in the program.

Enjoy Life at a Weight You Love with Help from Innovative Health and Wellness

Joining Innovative Health and Wellness means reclaiming your life. It is an important decision that you must make soon before your health deteriorates further. If you want to feel and look better and live a life free of obesity, our medical weight loss clinic in Riverwood, GA is the perfect place for you.

Are you ready to take the next steps toward happiness and healing your body, or will you remain stuck in the same old routine? If you're ready to make meaningful, long-term changes in your life, our weight loss doctors are ready to assist you every step of the way. Our comprehensive weight loss program provides all the tools you need to succeed, including medicines like Semaglutide and GLP-1 agonists, tripeptides, and healthy supplements. Contact our weight loss center to schedule your introductory consultation today.

Latest News in Riverwood, GA

JR Leonard On Tennessee Offer: "It Means a Lot"

Tennessee basketball recently offered a prospect fresh off a visit to Knoxville. That prospect is Jalen "JR" Leonard, an Atlanta, Georgia, athlete from Riverwood High School. Leonard measures in at around 6'5 and is listed as a shooting guard.Tennessee is not the first offer for Leonard, as he holds offers from multiple schools, including his rival school, the Georgia Bulldogs. The young Georgia athlete took the time to speak with Volunteer Country ...

Tennessee basketball recently offered a prospect fresh off a visit to Knoxville. That prospect is Jalen "JR" Leonard, an Atlanta, Georgia, athlete from Riverwood High School. Leonard measures in at around 6'5 and is listed as a shooting guard.

Tennessee is not the first offer for Leonard, as he holds offers from multiple schools, including his rival school, the Georgia Bulldogs. The young Georgia athlete took the time to speak with Volunteer Country regarding his recent visit to Knoxville and his offer to play basketball at the University of Tennessee.

Leonard spoke about the importance of the Volunteer offer by saying, "It means a lot. It's a great program with a great staff, and I definitely could see myself going there." He mentioned his conversations with head coach Rick Barnes and the Tennessee staff. "Yes, I did talk to Coach Barnes and Coach GP, and that went extremely well. I gained a lot of knowledge about the program and what it means to be a Tennessee Volunteer," the Riverwood basketball star mentioned. He explained his visit by stating, "My visit went really well, and I definitely enjoyed the fan base and how supportive they are." He then followed that up by talking about a potential follow-up visit by saying, "My next visit will most likely be an official visit, so I'm looking forward to that."

On his visit, he got to talk to a current Tennessee basketball player and a current Vol commit. "Yes, I got a chance to speak with Josiah Jordan-James and recent Tennessee commit Bishop Boswell. They both have great things to say about the program. They talked about how much the fans support them and how much the coaches and school make academics a priority, not just basketball."

His overall view of Tennessee seems to be very positive. Some things in particular stood out to him about Tennessee, as he says, "They have a great overall program and amazing coaching staff, and their fan base and support are really good. Academics also plays a huge part in the basketball program, and I value that highly." Leonard, being in the class of 2025, has two more seasons in high school to develop as a player, even more than he already has, but Tennessee jumping in on his recruitment early on can play a big factor later on down the road.

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Riverwood Dental in Atlanta, Georgia, Announces that Dr. Kimi Patel has Joined the Practice

Dr. Nisha Patel and the Riverwood Dental staff are pleased to welcome Dr. Kimi Patel to their talented team. Dr. Patel brings a wealth of experience and expertise in multiple facets of dentistry.ATLANTA, May 23, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Riverwood Dental, located at 3350 Riverwood Parkway, Suite 2120 in Atlanta, GA. is a modern, state-of-the-art clinic that offers cutting-e...

Dr. Nisha Patel and the Riverwood Dental staff are pleased to welcome Dr. Kimi Patel to their talented team. Dr. Patel brings a wealth of experience and expertise in multiple facets of dentistry.

ATLANTA, May 23, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Riverwood Dental, located at 3350 Riverwood Parkway, Suite 2120 in Atlanta, GA. is a modern, state-of-the-art clinic that offers cutting-edge, quality dental care for all ages in a comfortable atmosphere. Dr. Kimi Patel recently joined the well-respected team and is committed to delivering dentistry at its best, providing every patient with a pathway toward achieving functional and aesthetic smiles. Dr. Kimi Patel was raised in Farmington Hills, Michigan. She attended the University of Michigan, earning her bachelor's degree and also graduated with her dental degree from the University of Michigan College of Dentistry. After finishing her doctorate, Dr. Patel completed an AEGD residency (Advanced Education in General Dentistry) at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Dr. Kimi Patel stays at the forefront of her field, attending continuing education courses and is up to date on recent research and current dental technology. Riverwood Dental offers the unique ability to address all aspects of dental health in one convenient place. Their extensive menu of modern dental care services includes general and restorative dentistry, as well as cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics (OrthoFX) and more. Regardless of whether they are protecting, repairing or enhancing smiles, their team delivers superior, patient-centered care at every step.

"I am thrilled to be a part of Riverwood Dental and truly committed to giving patients an exceptional experience with personalized, comprehensive and compassionate care," says Dr. Kimi Patel.

More About Riverwood Dental and Dr. Nisha Patel:

Riverwood Dental was designed with comfort and care in mind, and patients can expect a friendly, helpful staff to make visits enjoyable. The team utilizes the latest in dental technology while offering comprehensive services, ranging from routine cleanings and chipped tooth repair to teeth whitening, veneers and dentures. Dr. Nisha Patel grew up in Alabama where she graduated from the University of Alabama School of Dentistry. Dr. Patel entered the dental field because of her compassion, creativity and desire to serve the community. She stays up-to-date on innovative, advanced techniques and equipment to provide patients with the very best in dentistry. Dr. Patel believes in building a trusting relationship and treating each patient with dignity and respect. For additional information about Riverwood Dental please visit http://www.riverwooddental.com or call (770) 955-2505.

Media Contact

Riverwood Dental, Melissa Mashiki, (770) 955-2505, [email protected]

SOURCE Riverwood Dental

New Development Coming to Lora Smith Road at GA-34

There is exciting action where Lora Smith Road intersects Georgia Highway 34 in Newnan. Set to be complete by 2024’s first quarter, this new development will stand in the intersection’s southeast corner and will feature over 17,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, adding even more shopping and dining options to the area.Riverwood Properties, L. L. C. has published information brochures with ...

There is exciting action where Lora Smith Road intersects Georgia Highway 34 in Newnan. Set to be complete by 2024’s first quarter, this new development will stand in the intersection’s southeast corner and will feature over 17,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, adding even more shopping and dining options to the area.

Riverwood Properties, L. L. C. has published information brochures with leasing information and site plans, citing enticing reasons for businesses to set up shop at the new development. The 6,800 square feet of restaurant space will include patio space facing Highway 34. The complex will also provide 141 parking spaces with access points at both roads.

For more information about this property, go to riverwoodproperties.com.

Carroll County Schools is relocating its transportation department and bus yard to the 26-acre site of the VFW Fairgrounds as the start of a multi-phase operations center that ultimately will house transportation, maintenance and school nutrition departments.

The entire project could take several years to fully complete, but will begin immediately with relocation of the transportation department and bus yard from its longtime home on Horsley Mill Road.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our system to provide much needed space for our transportation department while also preparing for future growth,” Superintendent Scott Cowart said. “We very much appreciate our Board’s foresight and their investment to improve our infrastructure.”

Cowart said the Carroll County Board of Education last year set aside $3.5 million of existing funds toward a transportation facility. The system hopes to invest an additional $1.5 million toward the project in the next budget year.

The former fairgrounds at 1625 Bankhead Highway consists of two separate parcels. The tract nearest Bankhead Highway is a 4.4 acre parcel including the old restaurant and events center not included in this purchase. The second parcel has been purchased by the school district and includes the actual fairgrounds, barns and exhibition buildings, which the school system plans to renovate into a transportation shop and office space.

The new 26-acre site is currently accessed through a driveway to Bankhead Highway, but Cowart said the school system is in negotiations with nearby property owners to gain direct access to the traffic light at Old Airport Road.

“It will be much safer for our buses and other vehicles to use the traffic light to access Bankhead Highway, and that access to a four-lane highway makes this an ideal centralized location to house our bus fleet,” Cowart said.

Assistant Superintendent of Administrative and Support Services Terry Jones said construction of the road to intersect with the traffic light will be completed first, and bus and truck traffic will use that new road to access the property.

The school system’s transportation department including mechanics shop and bus yard is now located on a 4-acre tract of what some people refer to as “the county farm.” The property is owned by Carroll County government but has been used by the school system for decades.

“The county has let us know that they would like to have this facility back for use by their public works department,” Jones said. “So this project to relocate our operations will assist them as well. We appreciate our longstanding partnership with the County and all that they do to support our school system”

Jones said the current transportation facility is an 11,000 square foot building which houses vehicle bays, shop facilities and office space for about a dozen staff people including route supervisors and dispatchers. The new site includes an existing 11,000 square foot building that will be converted into a new shop and repair facility. A separate existing 5,000 square foot building at the new site will be converted into office space for the transportation department. A third structure will be used for a bus wash station, something the current site doesn’t offer.

“We will be able to configure the new facility to be more efficient and better meet the needs of our staff,” Jones said. “Since our current facility is landlocked and owned by the county government, we are definitely limited on what we can do there.”

Jones said of a fleet of around 180 school buses, 150 are in use on a daily basis, and the task of keeping those buses staffed and running is a major operation.

Work on the connection to the traffic light at Old Airport Road should begin this summer, and Jones said he hopes the entire transportation portion of the project can be completed by the end of by early 2024.

Long-term, the property purchase will allow the school system space to relocate its maintenance and facilities department from the Burwell community to the new Bankhead Highway site, as well. There is also space for eventual relocation of the school nutrition department currently located in the basement of the board of education on Independence Drive.

“We are certainly excited about the opportunity to provide a modern transportation facility at a site with direct highway access for our buses,” Cowart said. “The opportunity to do more there over the long term is a definite positive, as well. When you think about the fact that our bus facility has been in the same location for multiple decades, I think this investment can also serve our system for many years to come.”

Robert Edwards’ relationship-building key to Riverwood’s success

Riverwood Raiders coach Robert Edwards is a strong believer that relationships are the key to everything, and that philosophy has carried him far.It helped him through a stellar high school career at Washington County High, where he was teammates with future NFL Pro Bowl selection Takeo Spikes. It would play a vital role at Georgia, where he later returned after a horrific injury in the NFL that nearly cost him a leg.And it’s helping him turn Class 6A’s No. 9-ranked Raiders (7-1, 4-1 in Region 7) from perennial medi...

Riverwood Raiders coach Robert Edwards is a strong believer that relationships are the key to everything, and that philosophy has carried him far.

It helped him through a stellar high school career at Washington County High, where he was teammates with future NFL Pro Bowl selection Takeo Spikes. It would play a vital role at Georgia, where he later returned after a horrific injury in the NFL that nearly cost him a leg.

And it’s helping him turn Class 6A’s No. 9-ranked Raiders (7-1, 4-1 in Region 7) from perennial mediocrity into a viable contender.

“(My approach) is to get the kids to trust me because I’m the type that believes in relationship-building,” said Edwards, who is 30-10 with a region championship — the program’s first — since taking over the Raiders in 2018. “What I want out of the kids, what I demand, the culture — all of that is built around relationships. That’s how I grew up playing. I trusted my coaches, and when you do that, you believe in the system. They made it a point to build relationships with me, and that’s what has made me successful.”

The Raiders are coming off a 40-33 victory against No. 8 Cambridge last week, which kept hopes of winning a second region title in three seasons alive. They won 6-5A during a historic 2019 season, in which they went 10-0 in the regular season and won a playoff game — both firsts for the program. The victory was their third consecutive against a ranked region opponent after they dominated No. 4 River Ridge 44-15 on Oct. 1, then returned from a bye to beat No. 10 Creekview 35-28 on Oct. 15.

That run put the Raiders inside the top 10 for the first time since 1986.

If Johns Creek, which beat them 40-32 on Sept. 24, loses to either River Ridge or Creekview, and the Raiders win out against Sequoyah and Chattahoochee, they’ll be region champions again.

Edwards’ coaching career began at Arlington Christian, a GISA school in Fairburn, where he was named head coach despite having no previous coaching experience. The program was green, too, having been around only four seasons. He cut the grass and lined the field, washed the uniforms and even served as the team’s athletic trainer in his two seasons there, while compiling a 15-7 record.

To learn the ropes, he leaned on the advice of friends, including former Bulldogs teammates Kirby Smart, Mike Bobo and Hines Ward, and his former Washington County coach Rick Tomberlin, who spent 34 years coaching teams around Georgia and compiled a 270-129 record with 10 region titles and three state championships.

“I was in all of their ears,” Edwards said.

From there, he went to Greene County for six seasons, taking the Tigers to the Class 1A Public quarterfinals in 2016 — the farthest the program had advanced since winning a 2A championship in 1993.

That was the deepest Edwards has taken a team, and he believes this year’s Raiders — the first senior class he has had at Riverwood that has played for him all four years — stack up, talent-wise.

“They’re right up there,” he said. “If we can stay healthy ... we can make a deep run.”

Edwards said that every year he revisits the infamous knee injury, suffered during a rookie beach flag-football game during Pro Bowl festivities following his 1998 rookie season, by talking to his team about it in the preseason.

He tore every major ligament in his left leg and severed an artery. Forget playing football, doctors told him, because his leg would be amputated if it didn’t heal properly, and even if it did, he’d be walking with a cane the rest of his life.

After Edwards said doctors gave him a “zero-percent chance” of playing in the NFL, he returned to Athens and rehabbed at Georgia with his former Bulldogs trainers, who he had befriended. In 2002, he returned to the NFL to play one season for the Dolphins, then three more seasons in the CFL.

He hasn’t needed a cane yet, either.

“That’s a big part of my testimony,” Edwards said. “What I didn’t know then — that I know now — is that it would become a big part of my coaching philosophy. It took me years to get back, and what helped was surrounding myself around the right people (in Athens) who I had relationships with, people who cared about me and cared about my goal. That played a big role in the coach I am today.”

He expects the same hard work from his players. Three-year starting quarterback Avery Smith, a senior, knows better than anyone. Coming in as a transfer ahead of his sophomore season, he had to earn the starting job.

“(Transferring) was one of the best decisions I made,” said Smith, a Toledo commitment. “I had to fight for this job, and I didn’t start the first two or three games — that was our (11-1) year (in 2019) — and he was telling me I had to compete even though I thought I’d already beat the other guy out. We were still splitting reps, and he told me it would be like this in college. I’d be evaluated every day.”

Smith has seen Edwards’ networking in action. He recalled going to a 7-on-7 event in Athens and how everyone at Georgia, from Smart to his assistants and school administration, “love and remember him,” Smith said. Champ Bailey, Smart and Spikes are a few who have stopped by Riverwood during Smith’s time there.

Smith said he has learned a lot from seeing Edwards build his network.

“He taught me relationships can turn your life upside down,” Smith said. “You could be somewhere different every day based on relationships, and if you build good relationships, you can be highly thought of, and doors will open. ... The camaraderie of the whole team, the coaches and the players, we’re all close, and the coaches genuinely want to see everyone get better.”

4 Questions with Riverwood head coach Robert Edwards

Today’s interviewee is Riverwood coach Robert Edwards, whose team defeated then-No. 4 River Ridge 44-15 last week in a Region 7-6A game. It was Riverwood’s first victory over a top-five opponent since 1983 (Marist). River Ridge is the reigning region champion, and Riverwood won a title the season before. Edwards, a former Washington County, Georgia and NFL running back, is 28-10 in his four seasons at Riverwood.Robert Edwards, Riverwood head coach1. What did last week’s victory mean to your team, and...

Today’s interviewee is Riverwood coach Robert Edwards, whose team defeated then-No. 4 River Ridge 44-15 last week in a Region 7-6A game. It was Riverwood’s first victory over a top-five opponent since 1983 (Marist). River Ridge is the reigning region champion, and Riverwood won a title the season before. Edwards, a former Washington County, Georgia and NFL running back, is 28-10 in his four seasons at Riverwood.

Robert Edwards, Riverwood head coach

1. What did last week’s victory mean to your team, and was it your biggest win at Riverwood? “The win against River Ridge meant a lot to the program because it shows that the program is continuing to move in the right direction. The win is in the top five, but the season of 2019, when we went undefeated to win Riverwood’s first-ever region title in football, was a landmark season for the school.”

2. What did your team do well that made the difference in the game? “The same as we have done all season – played selfless football and took advantage of each individual’s opportunity to make a play when it was their turn.”

3. You and your brother, Terrence, are both coaching and mentoring young football players, but in different ways. You’re a high school coach, of course, and he’s a private coach. What are the pros and cons of those professional routes? “Actually, we are both high school coaches. He’s at Pace Academy as their offensive coordinator [GHSF Daily failed to remember that. Terrence Edwards also is owner of the TE Wide Receiver Academy, which has developed several top college players.] I think we both just love the game of football. The game has given so much to us, it’s only right we respect that and give back the best we can. My opportunities have been here on the high school level, so I will always give everything I have in the moment that I am in. I approached my career as an athlete that way, so I will continue to do the same as a coach.”

4. Why do you think the Edwards brothers have chosen this profession? What were the influences in your lives that led you both into this profession? “There were many influences, starting with our parents. They taught us how to respect the game and the game will give back to you in many ways. We were mentored by a collaboration of coaches, from many different sports on different levels, that you cannot cheat the game and expect to reap success. The biggest thing I have learned from being an athlete and now as a coach is that relationships matter, and what you believe, a lot of times, determines what you can overcome, no matter the odds.”

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