Eugene McMinns, better known as Coach Shocker, is more than a coach. He is a mentor, a leader, and the driving force behind Shockwave Elite 5, the flag football league redefining youth sports in Freeport. To understand the impact he makes, you have to start with his journey, one rooted in a deep passion for football, a commitment to community, and a vision to uplift young athletes.

Raised in Nassau, McMinns faced his share of obstacles. As a talented young player with limited opportunities, he learned early on the importance of perseverance. That experience sparked the idea for Shockwave Elite 5, a space where youth from all backgrounds could discover purpose, build confidence, and grow through sport. “Football, more than any sport, creates brotherhood,” he says. “It teaches you to trust, respect, and lift each other up.”

Coach Shocker’s approach to coaching extends far beyond the field. He uses every practice as a chance to teach life skills including resilience, discipline, and leadership, preparing his athletes not just for the next game, but for the future. Under his guidance, players develop both physically and mentally, learning to navigate adversity and push beyond their limits.

His mission is clear: to empower the next generation. “It is about giving young people the tools to succeed, both on and off the field,” he explains. Wins are celebrated, but the real victory lies in shaping confident, capable individuals who carry these lessons into every part of their lives.

For Coach Shocker, it is never just about football. It is about building futures, unlocking potential, and creating lasting change, one player at a time.

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The tagline for this film: Never Stop Dreaming. A man with a troubled past yearns to become a globally recognized bodybuilder who graces the cover of fitness magazines. As he attempts to go beyond the limits of his physical body while battling his own inner demons on a quest to gain recognition from a world that he feels often overlooks him. He lives a regimented and lonely life in his desperate pursuit of perfection which hides his aching need for human connection that may lead him down a path of self destruction.

Magazine Dreams is a film that showcases the destructive power of a tenacious drive for superstardom at the cost of genuine human interaction and how the lack of positive reinforcement could lead to it being replaced with harmful para-social relationships. Elijah Bynum puts his directing and writing prowess on full display as we are fully immersed in the heartbreaking reality of the protagonist and the struggles that he himself creates along with the obstacles he discovers in society that keep him from his dream. This is a tour de force performance by Jonathan Majors as the audience experiences the character's mounting disappointments and his inability to see how suicidal his behavior is being as we hope for him to achieve even a modicum of success that may lead to him turning his life around from the downward spiral it seems to be heading to. This is a cinematic encounter that hits on different emotional levels as it sheds light on the reality of how easily striving for a dream can become a waking nightmare along with the importance of recognizing and properly treating mental illness.

Rated 4 out of 5

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Easter weekend in The Bahamas is always packed with vibes, from homecomings in Bimini and Grand Cay, Boat race in Abaco, to CARIFTA, where our top athletes go head-to-head with the best of the Caribbean (btw, we’re seven-time champs in case you missed it). Even Grand Bahama, which gets unfairly labeled “the boring island” on social media, is proving everybody wrong. Case in point: the Coconut Festival in Pelican Point.

Held every Easter Monday, the Coconut Festival is a full-blown celebration of all things coconut — coconut tarts, coconut bread, coconut-infused rice, coconut everything. Plus, there’s live music, coconut husking competitions, and just pure good vibes. You already know I had to pull up and hit as many food stalls as my stomach could handle because listen…. I LOVE coconut, and this festival was basically my Super Bowl.

First stop: Nicki’s Kitchen. Her coconut tarts were stacked up front and people were lined off, so you know they had to be fire. I’m a “secure dessert first” kinda girl, so I didn’t even hesitate. I saw the pineapple, combination, and classic coconut tart along with guava duff but my heart and soul would always choose coconut tart above all else (because it’s superior). When I tell you, the tart was moist, buttery, and packed with this rich, sweet coconut flavor that just melted in your mouth. Absolute heaven.

Of course, I wasn’t stopping at dessert. I grabbed a plate of her grilled ribs, coconut-infused rice, macaroni, and potato salad too. The coconut rice was super fluffy with a strong, natural coconut taste and it paired so well with everything. The ribs? Tender with a nice smoky char, but I wouldn’t have been mad at a little extra sauce. Her macaroni though? Creamy, cheesy, perfectly baked — definitely my favorite mac of the day.

Next up: Trisha’s Coconut Cuisine. I got her coconut jerk BBQ ribs, coconut juice rice, and more macaroni (because why not?). Her ribs had this sweet-spicy thing going on, with just a whisper of coconut. It was an acquired taste for sure if you’re a sweet and spicy lover. The coconut rice was solid, but again, the macaroni stole the show.

Next to this stall there was a gully wash booth named Pinder’s and Laing’s gully wash with fully leaded and unleaded 16oz and 8oz cups. I was able to get a taste test from the owner and the sweetness from the coconut mixed with all the other ingredients were just superb to cool you down from all that heat at the festival.

Now, let’s talk about the stall that had everybody pressed: Susie’s Kitchen. I waited a solid 30 minutes in line — no joke — but when I finally got my plate of fish fingers, coconut BBQ ribs, crab and rice, and sides? Baby, it was worth it. The fish was seasoned down and fried to golden perfection. The ribs were saucy and tender, but the real MVP was that crab and rice. If I could’ve walked away with two plates of just that, I would’ve, no shame.

Last but definitely not least, I stopped at Zelma’s Tasty Delight. The snapper she was serving up was massive, fried to this beautiful, golden brown crunch but still moist and flaky inside. Her conch and rice was also excellent because you could taste the fresh conch in every single bite.

Moral of the story? The vendors at Coconut Festival do not play when it comes to coconut… or food in general. I’m seriously hoping to catch them again at the Goombay Summer Festival so I can run it back.

If you missed this year’s Coconut Festival, don’t even stress there’s always next year! And if you’re looking for a chill but fun island getaway, Grand Bahama is that girl. (And y’all can officially stop calling us boring now, thanks!)

Team Bahamas Claims 1st Place at 2025 CARIFTA Aquatics Championship

The Bahamas proudly emerged as the champions at the 2025 CARIFTA Aquatic Championship, securing an impressive 1st place finish with a total of 74 medals. Our athletes delivered outstanding performances across the board, capturing 27 Gold, 23 Silver, and 24 Bronze medals, showcasing the strength and depth of Bahamian swimming.

From the first lap to the final stroke, the Bahamian team dominated the competition, with swimmers excelling in both individual and relay events. This victory not only highlights the remarkable talent within the Bahamas but also underscores the growth and development of swimming at the youth level.

As we look to the future, this win serves as a reminder of what can be achieved with passion, discipline, and national pride. The future of Bahamian swimming has never looked brighter.

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Cruise Ship Private Islands: Blessing or Challenge to The Bahamas?

The Bahamas has always been a go-to destination for cruise ships, but recently, cruise lines have taken things to the next level by developing their own private islands. These exclusive destinations, like Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay and Carnival’s Half Moon Cay, are changing how visitors experience the islands.

These private islands offer everything from luxurious cabanas and water parks to beachside dining and activities, giving visitors a stress-free vacation without the hassle of exploring outside the resort. It’s a fully immersive experience, with everything taken care of for them, allowing cruise passengers to relax in paradise without leaving the island.

While these private islands bring in revenue and jobs, they also raise concerns about their impact on the broader economy. Since passengers spend most of their time on these islands, many don’t venture into Nassau, Freeport, or other nearby areas. This means less spending in Bahamian businesses, which could affect small shops, restaurants, and other local establishments that depend on cruise tourists.

As the popularity of cruise line private islands continues to rise, it’s important to find a balance between catering to the luxury experience of cruise visitors and ensuring that the broader Bahamian economy benefits from tourism. While private islands have become a staple in the industry, supporting and encouraging visitors to explore the full breadth of what The Bahamas has to offer remains essential for a sustainable future.