TYS Employee Gives Back Through Special Olympics

The clang of weights slamming onto the ground followed by an eruption of cheers was the scene of a Special Olympics powerlifting competition in Minnesota.

In the background, you could find Endeavor Regulatory Compliance Specialist Nick Mercer loading the weights and spotting each athlete during their lift. Although based in Knoxville, Tenn., Nick recently started traveling to Minneapolis about once a month for his new position – and volunteering in the local community had always been on his bucket list.

All it took was a simple scroll through Delta’s website, where he discovered their sponsorship of Special Olympics Minnesota.

What sealed the deal to volunteer? A powerlifting competition.

“I signed up immediately,” Nick said. “The energy that day—there’s nothing like it. Everyone’s cheering for everyone. There’s no ego, just pure celebration of effort and heart.”

“These athletes take their sport seriously,” Nick continued. “Out of all the weightlifting competitions I’ve attended anywhere, this was the best one.”

Similar to the ways at Endeavor Air, safety was the top priority as a loader and spotter. He kept the athletes safe, supported them through every lift, and brought his years of lifting experience to the team.

“Your job is to catch the bar if it falls; you’ve got to be alert,” Nick said. “My background helped make that second nature.”

After the ceremony, Nick was deeply touched when one of the athletes came up and talked to him after hearing his southern accent.

“He said, ‘I haven’t seen you here before—you talk kind of funny. What are you doing here?’ I told him I came to volunteer. He said, ‘I really appreciate you. I hope you come back next year.’”

“I had already planned on that, but that hit me like a ton of bricks,” Nick said. “It only takes one person to make a small difference.”

Nick’s commitment to service runs deep. From volunteering at his century-old church doing electrical work, to supporting a women’s shelter, Nick is driven to help others.

“Volunteering puts life in perspective,” Nick said. “You’re reminded we’re all in this together, and that a helping hand matters.”

What made the Special Olympics experience even more meaningful was the support he received from Endeavor leadership.

“When my manager and our director found out what I was doing, they were 100% behind me. No hesitation,” Nick said.

“It’s one thing to see Endeavor encouraging you to volunteer, but it’s another to have your direct leadership truly back you up.”

Nick credits Endeavor with helping shape not only his career but who he has become over the years.

“I’ve met some of the best people in the industry here. Every step I’ve taken, I’ve thought, ‘Man, this is it. It can’t get better.’ And then it does.”