Making Preventive Health, Youth Sports and Military Readiness Relatable to Policy Makers[Podcast Series]

Liz Clark is the President and CEO of the Health & Fitness Association.
She is also Board Chair and President of the Health & Fitness Association Foundation and a fellow board member of the Physical Activity Alliance.

“So I've seen nothing but positive response, more energy, more focus, and more opportunity. And I know that we're going to talk a little bit about this today, Amy, but an opportunity to be really part of the health continuum and be a part of that conversation. Because we are bigger than sport. We know that we are preventative health care. And so to have a brand that reflects all that has been really tremendous.”

“But, so, to be able to have the data, the stats, the talking points, and to bring these people together, to talk about why our industry matters, is one of the things that I'm most passionate about. They're busy running their gyms, fitness centers, and then those that represent the supplier community, they all took time to step out of their busy days and step out of their comfort zone, to come do an important job, which if you think about it is almost like an insurance policy. So these people can make or break and create policies that are good for your business, or really, really bad for your business.”

“But, Amy, you struck is such an important part on the military readiness side. And there is an urgency to it. There's two really scary statistics around military readiness right now. One is that of people that are of age to be able to join the military, 77% of those cannot qualify for the military. And already we're having a hard time getting people to raise their hand and want to join. And then you look at that. And that's a really scary stat. The other really scary stat is of existing military, 61% of those are considered overweight or obese. So we've got work to do with our existing folks in the military, recruiting new ones. And I think taking care of our veterans too. It's all part of this important conversation. And so that is definitely resonating.”

“If you are an existing member of the military and you don't live on base, and you live within 10 miles from the base, which has a gym, if you're 10 miles or farther away, then then you can use NDAA funding to go to a gym and a fitness center for you and your family.”

“But I think that the reason why I think that the youth story is going to put us over the top is because everybody can relate to it. Whether you have your own children or nieces or nephews or neighbors, you understand what physical movement meant. And you know, we all like to talk, those of us that are, you know, my age about how we just used to go outside and play. We just used to go ride our bike around the neighborhood and now it's not like that. And so you've got to actually add some incentives to the kids to do that. Unfortunately, right? We know with PE coming out of the schools, but, but there's all kinds of other opportunities and creative solutions for movement and for kids...”

“And it's something that again, all these lawmakers understand while they're whether they've maybe gone through something personally, or their kids have gone through something personally, or somebody they know and love. In some way, shape or form. I mean, all of us know people that are having mental health challenges. So I just think we have a tremendous opportunity as the as the Foundation Board to be doing more. More ties to that as the solution, more research to that as a solution. And to continue to just elevate that narrative, and then how we are an industry that's inclusive, we are an industry that's affordable.”

“And so I think we need to keep it fun, especially when you're looking at the kids. And also for adults it translates. And so there's a consumer demand for it. And we shouldn't shy away from that.”

“In my mind, getting policies across the board is the name of the game if you have a strong coalition, and a diverse coalition. So I think that you need to look at the universe of what you're trying to do and who that impacts and find all of those bodies in some way, shape or form to be in the room...”

Leading with the Ask When Communicating Health & Fitness to Policy Makers[Podcast Series]