When Cedrick Johnson first came to 4:13 Strong, he wasn’t sure if he was ready.
“I’d tried before,” he said. “The first time, I was physically fit but not mentally ready. The second time, I knew the program but wasn’t in shape. The third time, I was finally ready for both.”
That third attempt, beginning May 13, 2023, changed everything.
Cedrick committed fully, completing the 40 Day Challenge without leaving campus. “I put my phone down, quit social media, stopped smoking and drinking,” he said. “But the hardest part wasn’t giving those things up, it was realizing I had to do it for the right reasons. I had to change my heart, not just my habits.”
After finishing the Challenge, Cedrick found faith in a new way. He joined South Inglewood Baptist Church, where he was baptized and began building a spiritual foundation that would guide his next steps.
“I realized I couldn’t do it alone,” he said. “I needed God, mentors, and people who believed in me.”
That mindset carried him forward. Last year, Cedrick earned his GED, enrolled in a Registered Dental Assistant program at Nashville State, and this year graduated with his license, funded through a $6,000 tuition grant. He began his first dental job in October 2025 while continuing school to become a Surgical Technician.
“I’m proud of myself,” Cedrick said, smiling. “I feel free. I’ve surrendered my life to God. This program helped me find the strength that was already inside me.”
For Cedrick, the impact of 4:13 Strong reaches beyond his own life.
“When I started making better choices, my mom’s health started improving,” he said quietly. “That’s when I knew this wasn’t just about me, it was about giving my family hope again.”
One day, it was time for a change.
See how he found hope at 4:13 Strong.