Golf News for Monday, August 26, 2013 |
People
Golf Channel instructor Michael Breed among PHIT America ambassadors
VIENNA, Va. -- PHIT America - the non-profit
education and advocacy organization designed to combat the nation's
inactivity and obesity crisis - announces NFL great Hershel Walker,
tennis legends Mike and Bob Bryan, fitness expert Denise Austin and Golf
Channel instructor Michael Breed as its first celebrity ambassadors.
Each of these PHIT America ambassadors - and those that will follow -
were selected due to a common vision. Their collective goal is to
create "A Movement for a Fit and Healthy America" by educating men,
women and children about the importance of an active lifestyle to
improve overall health.
Walker, a two-time Pro Bowl selection and 1982 Heisman Trophy
recipient, attributes his success and lengthy career (14 NFL seasons) to
an active and healthy lifestyle off the gridiron. He has even spread
his message to Congressional leaders on Capitol Hill at "National Health
Through Fitness Day," held every March in Washington, D.C.
"I'm excited to represent PHIT America and carry out my lifelong
mission of helping people become more active," says Walker. "Almost 192
million Americans are not up to healthy standards and it's our
responsibility to get them moving in the right direction."
Currently No.1 in ATP Doubles Ranking, the Bryan brothers hold 15
career Grand Slam tennis titles and 91 professional wins. Since turning
pro in 1998, they have placed a significant focus on being active, even
on days off from training.
Austin has dedicated more than 30 years to helping people lose weight
through motivating advice and healthy recipes. She's sold more than 24
million exercise videos and DVDs and authored 12 books on fitness.
Host of
"The Golf Fix" on the Golf Channel
and 2012 PGA National Teacher of the Year, Breed incorporates fitness
activities into his instructional routines while encouraging students to
walk while they play. For the average player, an 18-hole round roughly
equates to a five-mile walk or four-mile run, resulting in up to 2,000
calories burned.
"Almost 30 percent of Americans are totally sedentary and this has
increased the last five years," says Jim Baugh, Founder of PHIT America,
former President of Wilson Sporting Goods and a 2011 inductee into the
Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame. "Inactivity is the prime
contributor to the escalating health care costs we all face and our
celebrities are helping create a more fit country, one person at a
time."
PHIT America supports two pieces of legislation crucial to increasing
the number of healthy Americans. When passed, the Personal Health
Investment Today Act (PHIT) will allow people to use pre-tax medical
accounts for physical activity expenses. The Physical Education Program
(PEP) is a 12-year Federal grant from the Department of Education for
schools to rebuild health and fitness programs.
Since its January 2013 launch, more than 130 leading companies and
associations from the sports, fitness, retail and media industries have
contributed funds and services to support PHIT America.
Americans are encouraged to support PHIT America by visiting
www.PHITAmerica.org to advocate, provide a donation or participate in
health and wellness programs.
About PHIT America
Founded in January 2013, PHIT America and its 130-plus sponsors are
responding to the inactivity and obesity crisis by leading "A Movement
for a Fit and Healthy America." PHIT America promotes grass-roots
fitness and sports initiatives, including development of high-quality
physical education (PE) programs in schools. Recent Physical Activity
Council research shows children in PE are three to four times more
likely to be active outside of school.
PHIT America also supports two vital pieces of legislation, which will increase the number of fit and healthy Americans:
• Personal Health Investment Today Act (PHIT) - When passed,
Americans will be able to use pre-tax medical accounts for physical
activity expenses.
• Physical Education Program (PEP) - A 12-year program supporting local physical education programs throughout America.
Both the PHIT Act and PEP Program will help mitigate rising health
care costs by causing Americans to develop more active lifestyles.
More information: www.PHITAmerica.org.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Glenn Gray
Buffalo Communications
540.718.1731
ggray@buffalocommunications.com
www.buffalocommunications.com
@buffalocomm
http://www.worldgolf.com/newswire/browse/83322-PHIT-America-Announces-First-Celebrity-Ambassadors