Skip to main content

President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition and Let’s Move! Announce Collaboration to Support Military Families

Today, First Lady Michelle Obama joined the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition (PCFSN) to announce a new fitness industry effort to support our military families, particularly our National Guard and Reserve families, to further the goals of both of the First Lady’s initiatives, Let’s Move! and Joining Forces.



Members of the International Health Racquet &Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) offered free memberships to immediate family members (ages 13 and older, where applicable) of deployed reservists and National Guard members. Clubs may also provide additional benefits such as childcare, children’s programming, group classes, discounts for veterans, and discounts for active duty families. Beginning June 1, spouses and teen-age children can find participating clubs in their area online at www.healthclubs.com. The website will also offer a free digital subscription to Get Active! Magazine, a publication dedicated to promoting healthy living through exercise.

The American Council on Exercise® (ACE®), through its vast network of fitness professionals, is committing to a goal of providing at least 1 million hours of personal training and fitness instruction to family members of deployed reservists and National Guard members. Service members and their families can learn more about this effort and find participating fitness instruction in their area online at (www.acefitness.org/joiningforces) beginning June 1.

“Jill Biden and I launched Joining Forces to urge people to do whatever they can as neighbors, colleagues, and classmates to lend a hand to military families and to show our gratitude to those who serve our nation whether it’s on the battlefield or at home,” said First Lady Michelle Obama. “I’m so pleased that our fitness clubs and trainers have stepped up to both encourage and enable healthy lifestyles for these very special members of our communities to ensure a strong and healthy nation.”

The goal of Let’s Move! is to solve the problem of the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation, and this announcement will help move one step closer to that goal through outreach to military communities across the country. Members of the President’s Council will support Joining Forces and Let’s Move! by meeting and inspiring military youth and families at events throughout the summer. Council members will promote the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) to recognize and reward kids and adults who achieve their recommended daily physical activity goals.

Upcoming engagements include:

May 10-19: PCFSN Council Member and ESPN analyst Tedy Bruschi will join several Wounded Warriors to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa.

May 14-15: PCFSN Council Member and NASCAR driver Carl Edwards will visit with military families in Dover, DE, and will continue his commitment to reaching military families during race weekends all year.

May 16-20: PCFSN Council Member Dr. Stephen McDonough will join the 2nd Annual Warrior Games at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO.

President’s Council members include Dominique Dawes, Grant Hill, Michelle Kwan, and Chris Paul.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Story Behind Presidents' Day

Did you know Presidents' Day isn’t just about a day off?  Originally established to honor George Washington’s birthday, it has since grown to celebrate all U.S. presidents who’ve shaped the country’s path. It’s a day to reflect on leadership, service, and the values that drive national progress. Presidents' Day dates back to 1879, when it was first recognized as a federal holiday for Washington. Later, Abraham Lincoln’s February birthday brought attention. By 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Act combined the days, creating the long weekend many know today—but its purpose goes far deeper. From decisions that forged independence to policies steering modern challenges, U.S. presidents have helped shape history. It's a moment to appreciate lessons in courage, responsibility, and the impact of strong leadership on society today. How do you celebrate Presidents' Day?  Is it by learning about the leaders who influenced American history? Do you read their biographies, visit ...

Government job loss under the Trump administration, since 2016. Are you at risk in 2025?

Under President Trump's first term in office, America experienced job declines. Data from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) suggests that the total number of federal employees decreased by approximately 1.3% from 2016 to 2020, resulting in a loss of approximately 18,000 government positions. This decline was achieved largely through attrition, as the administration emphasized not filling vacancies rather than implementing widespread layoffs.   Also: What about social security?  Trump has sad that he does not plan to change social security, however, one case shows how a senior experienced   difficulty getting their due benefits .  Job Losses in Government Agencies since 2016. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) The EPA faced significant cuts under the Trump administration, with staffing levels dropping from approximately 15,000 employees in 2016 to about 14,000 by 2020 citing budget cuts and decreasing regulatory enforcement practices.  Department of Ed...