May 2004

Fitness Advocate Challenges America – and Fellow AU Alumni – to Get Moving

If you were on campus in the mid-1980s, you might remember taking an aerobics class from an animated instructor named Melissa Johnson, CAS/MS ‘85. Or, in the early- to mid-1990s, perhaps you talked to her about entering AU’s health and fitness management master’s program when she served as an adjunct professor.

Whether you’ve known Johnson for 10 minutes or 10 years, it’s clear she’s passionate about health and fitness. And while she may no longer be calling out spirited shouts for step-ball-changes, and “just eight more,” the new executive director of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports is no less enthusiastic now in her role as America’s top promoter of physical fitness than she was during her time at AU.

Founded in 1956 as a school-based program, the newly invigorated President’s Council comes in response to President Bush’s “Healthier US” initiative, which outlines four pillars for a healthy lifestyle: physical fitness, prevention, nutrition, and avoiding risky behaviors, she explains. As such, Johnson’s job is to motivate Americans of all ages to get moving, and stay moving.

Since being appointed to her position last fall by President Bush, Johnson has already added a few new twists to a program most of us remember from gym class involving sit-ups and push-ups. One area her office has worked on extensively is building more than 40 public-private partnerships with companies such as Trek bikes, Burger King, Bally’s, Home Depot, Coca-Cola, and more, to prompt more Americans to sit up and take notice of their health.

Johnson says a whopping 64% of Americans are overweight or obese, and not-so-coincidentally, the same record 64% of people don’t get enough regular physical activity.

But the latest research – which she insists her staff stay up on – suggests that you don’t have to run marathons to fight flab and find fitness. She reminds Americans that even the simplest activities add up, and less obvious activities like walking the dog, pushing the lawnmower (or vacuum or baby stroller), and gardening can be just as beneficial in keeping us healthy for a long life as the myriad sporting events that couch potatoes watch on TV. The key is to find and do activities you like, says Johnson.

“The top three [most popular activities] are walking, running, and cycling,” she reports. At least, that’s what the more than 100,000 Americans who have signed up for the President’s Challenge since it was re-introduced last summer with an on-line component for tracking activities have logged as their favorites.

Now, people from all walks of life, whether they competed in a triathlon last weekend or scrubbed the bathtub, can track their exercise in five-minute increments and intensity levels using the same (free) basic on-line system. Through the President’s Challenge program, you can watch your progress and earn awards for participation – “not necessarily how many push-up and sits-ups you can do,” says Johnson. There are more than 100 activities to choose from on the President’s Challenge Web site, she notes.

Kids can still get those President’s Challenge patches you may remember from your own school days, but certificates, medals, and T-shirts are also available to reward yourself or your peers for engaging in regular, moderate physical activity. The real prize is better health, of course, but a little extra motivation never hurt anyone.

A competitive gymnast while growing up in southern California, the former UCLA kinesiology major spends a good portion of her time running to catch planes and walking between meetings to spread the word about the benefits of regular activity. She’s also sure to “make an appointment with herself” to do yoga, Pilates, weight training, and some sort of cardio activity every day.

“The President’s Challenge has grown up!” declares Johnson, who served in a similar position in California for several years, where she worked closely with former chairman of the President’s Council, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

She has truly enjoyed her contact with sports stars like Schwarzenegger, President’s Council Chair and football Hall-of-Famer Lynn Swann, and vice chair Dot Richardson of Olympic softball fame. But she adds another special name to this list. Johnson considers Bob Karch, AU’s Health/Fitness Management program founder and chair, a hero and her main mentor. “I’m very indebted to the Health/Fitness Management program and to Bob. He has been my mentor for the last 20 years, and I owe him a lifetime of gratitude,” says Johnson.

Johnson credits AU’s health and fitness master’s program, Karch’s leadership, and the internship she did in Los Angeles while an AU student as the perfect fit for her goals. “It was truly the launch of my career. Bob Karch is a visionary. He’s always been ahead of his time, and he teaches all of his students the real multidisciplinary factors of health promotion,” she says.

Likewise, Karch speaks of Johnson with the same enthusiasm. “We’re obviously extremely proud of Melissa, all she’s accomplished, and the current role she’s playing at this time. Given the current status of inactivity, obesity, and chronic disease in this country, we need strong leadership, and Melissa is ideally prepared to provide that leadership.”

Johnson invites AU alumni and friends in D.C. to come down to the Mall on June 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the Healthier US Fitness Fair her office has planned. “It’ll feature sports skill demonstrations, health care providers, and it’s open to the public.”

She also encourages AU alumni to sign up for the President’s Challenge at www.presidentschallenge.org, or learn more about the Council at www.fitness.gov. You can even create teams, she notes – by department, by dorm, etc.

-Melissa Reichley

Back to newsletter