Hear from our Team Healthier Generation Athletes

Across the country, athletes are leading the way for children’s health as they strive to achieve their fitness goals and work together to enable and empower kids to develop lifelong healthy habits.

For Team Healthier Generation, an athlete is anyone who takes on a physical activity challenge to improve the environments that surround kids, in their community and across the country. Whether you are into walking, running, cycling, swimming, yoga, weightlifting, rock climbing, team sports or any other activity — if you are committed to taking action so every child has an equal chance at leading a healthy life, you are an athlete and a valued teammate. It is far less important that you are an elite competitor, and far more valuable that you are a passionate change-maker.

We sat down with a few of our Team Healthier Generation athletes to find out what it means to be a part of the team and how they are empowering kids to develop lifelong healthy habits.

Meet Christie B.

Christie is a Certified Personal Trainer and directed a Baby Bootcamp group for 10 years in St. Petersburg, FL. Christie and her daughter completed the 2017 Disney Princess 5k together, raising funds and awareness along the way in support of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.

It began with my lifelong passion for living and sharing a healthy lifestyle. I grew up as a competitive swimmer, received a college swimming scholarship and our team won the NCAA Championship my senior year. I have taught and coached swimming at all levels (mommy & me to adult triathletes) since I was in high school, and still do to this day. Now that my big girls are in elementary school and middle school, my focus has shifted to ensuring that school-aged children have opportunities to be healthy during their school day.

Whether it is healthy school lunch options, daily recess breaks, movement challenges in the classroom, or other wellness initiatives — I work with my local schools, our school district as well as at the state level fight for our kids who deserve a healthy environment in which to learn. I am thrilled to raise money and awareness for The Alliance for a Healthier Generation to continue their work and research on this vital topic. I am excited to have Grace join me on our fundraising efforts as well as our training efforts for the Disney Princess 5K event. She has grown up in an environment of movement and wellness, and we are now able to help others live an active lifestyle in the process.

Meet Rocky M.

Rocky has completed dozens of races, but this was his first as a part of Team Healthier Generation. His team worked together to raise nearly $5,000 and Rocky said, “ Being a part of Team Healthier Generation, I’ve never felt so good about finishing something.”

It means a lot. I have always been a person that has a soft spot for kids. I have seen firsthand the results of poor habits being developed as a child, and their impact on adult health. This is the first time that I have done a fundraiser in conjunction with an event, Ragnar Trail-Snowmass. Our future relies on the next generation. If I can do my small part in helping to set them up for success, I will be happy. Seeing kids benefit from the generosity of complete strangers is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I am proud to be a part of an organization that takes such an interest in kids’ health. I look forward to doing more in the future. Go Team!

Meet Ipek B.

Ipek trained for and completed her first 5k in Houston, TX, with teammates and coaches supporting her every step of the way. She has already registered for her next 5k event and continues to set new goals as a healthy role model in her community.

I am still working on thinking of myself as an “athlete,” but I did recently run my first 5k with Team Healthier Generation and it was a great challenge and milestone for me. I was proud to represent Team Healthier Generation and I am looking forward to continuing to reach my personal fitness goals and to also raise funds for such a great cause. Being part of any team is a big motivation for me, but THG especially makes you feel part of a family. Their underlying message as an organization is so important, and the range of events they participate in make me proud to be part of them, even though I am a newcomer. I’ve been telling my friends and family all about Team Healthier Generation, and sharing posts on social media, so now I will aim to raise even more awareness through my next event.

Ready to take the first step? Team Healthier Generation is here for every athlete and every type of event. Whatever your chosen activity is, we welcome you as a team member, an athlete and a passionate change-maker.