By FRANCES SHARPE | Editor-in-Chief
Honorary Mayor Jake Steinfeld recently met with four governors in four states—Asa Hutchinson in Arkansas, Bruce Rauner in Illinois, Greg Abbott in Texas and Rick Scott in Florida—where he cut the ceremonial ribbon at the opening of 12 fitness centers for local schools.
Photo courtesy of Jake Steinfeld
The whirlwind 16-day tour was part of Steinfeld’s efforts as Chairman of the National Foundation for Governor’s Fitness Councils. The foundation has partnered with Coca-Cola, Anthem and Nike to provide $100,000 Live Positively Fitness Centers to elementary and middle schools across the country.
Last year, Steinfeld helped open fitness centers in California, New Mexico, Connecticut and Virginia. To date, fitness centers have been installed in a total of 17 states, according to Steinfeld.
Photo courtesy of Jake Steinfeld
“When you put a fitness center in an elementary or a middle school, it’s amazing to see what happens. Physical fitness and smarts go hand in hand—test scores go up, teen pregnancies go down, gang activity goes down,” Steinfeld said.
The fitness entrepreneur added that teachers and parents are also able to use the fitness centers on evenings and weekends and that they become community centers.
“On top of the fact that we’re building bodies,” Steinfeld said, “most importantly we’re building confidence and self-esteem.”
—Jacqueline Primo contributed to this article.
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