Oxford Stories: UM Student ‘Blindsided’ by Life in Oxford

Herbie May

Baltimore native Herbie May, 22, attended a boarding school in Pennsylvania before moving to Oxford to attend the University of Mississippi. A famous Ole Miss graduate convinced him to enroll.

“I originally came to Ole Miss to work for the football team, and I was deciding between Alabama and Ole Miss,” he said. “When I was at a Baltimore Ravens game, I met Leigh Anne Tuohy, who convinced me to visit Ole Miss. When I came to Oxford I was sold.”

Tuohy, an Ole Miss graduate whose life as the adopted mother of football player Michael Oher – who played for the University of Mississippi before joining the Baltimore Ravens team – was depicted in the movie “The Blind Side.” She influenced May’s decision to study at the University of Mississippi. Now, the integrated marketing communications senior is also interested in becoming a fitness trainer at Orange Theory Fitness in Oxford.

May using some of the workout equipment at Orange Theory Fitness in Oxford, MS.

“I really wanted to start working out more and become healthier, so when a friend told me about Orange Theory, I decided to try it,” he said. “After my first time, I became addicted to it.”

Orange Theory Fitness is a newer workout craze that includes an hour-long, high intensity, interval-training workout combining strength and cardio. May said the workout helped him lose more than 30 lbs., and by becoming a trainer, he wants to help others lose weight and get in shape too.

Becoming an Orange Theory trainer is not easy. “The process usually takes about two to three months,” May said. “You have to study for a test to become a trainer, and then you have to take a weekend seminar in Memphis. After that, you have to take and then pass the test.

“I am currently working part-time behind the desk there as fitness consultant by selling new memberships to people and helping shoot the heart rate monitors and all of the stuff that Orange Theory is based on.”

May assisting costumers on new membership policies at Orange Theory Fitness in Oxford, MS.

At Orange Theory, classes go from morning to night. Since there are classes all day every
day, May said there is a higher demand for more trainers.

“I will instruct people on how to get their heart rate up and show them how to do all of the high intensity exercises in the weight room to reach their daily goals,” May said.

May’s coworker, Jamison Barfield, spoke highly of May’s work ethic.

“Herbie comes in every day passionate and ready to do his job,” said Barfield.

May said he plans on sticking with Orange Theory for a while. “I will be in Oxford until next December when I graduate, and whatever city I end up in after that, I plan on continuing to stick with it there as well,” he said.

May has more hobbies than fitness. Some include cooking for his friends, watching his favorite show “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit,” traveling and golfing.

May cooking for his friends.

“Growing up, my mom has always been an amazing cook, so after watching her cook often, I have caught on, and have cooked a lot since I have been in college,” he said. “My favorite recipe to make is steak and twice baked potatoes.”

May always wanted to be a police officer. “I think that is one of the reasons why I like so many TV shows that have to do with criminal justice,” he said.

May relaxing and watching his favorite TV show “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit”

He has made friends with people who live all over the country. Last weekend, he visited a friend in Los Angeles, and this weekend, he is flying to New York for another friend’s birthday.

“I love going to visit my friends in different places and getting to see how different their lives are compared to mine,” he said.

He is also a talented golfer. He has won many golf tournaments, including the state championship in high school.

Herbie May golfs in Oxford.

“Another favorite golfing event of mine is going to the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, every year with my dad and my uncle,” May said.

When he graduates in December, May hopes to land a job with a sports agency or work selling sponsorships.

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Barrett Ervin can be reached at ebervin@go.olemiss.edu.