INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In recognition of his unwavering passion to inspire and energize kids to be fit and healthy, the Anthem Foundation has awarded Jake Steinfeld with its second Annual Health Heroes Award. Steinfeld was recognized with the honor at the fitness center unveiling at earlier today at Frances S. Tucker Elementary School in Miami, Fla.
The Health Heroes Award was designed to recognize an individual or organization making a positive impact on the health and wellness of the country. Health Heroes create top-tier programs that bring awareness to health issues, help find solutions to those issues or innovate in the field of health care.
As a fitness expert, Steinfeld has played a leading role in the creation of personal fitness training over the past 30 years. He is the Founder and CEO of Body by Jake Global and has revolutionized the training industry by developing one of the first web platforms, FitOrbit. Jake’s passion for sports lead him to the creation of Major League Lacrosse – the nation’s first professional outdoor lacrosse league and he is the author of numerous health and fitness books, providing hope and solutions to help transform people’s lives.
As chairman and founder of The National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils, Steinfeld is using his own personal ‘Don’t Quit’ motto to motivate, encourage and reward innovation in the field of youth fitness by awarding fitness centers to schools that use new and unique methods to promote student physical activity and wellness.
The National Foundation's goal is to build a nation of the fittest, healthiest kids in the world. Physical activity and exercise are shown to help prevent and treat more than 40 chronic diseases, enhance individual health and quality of life and reduce health care costs. In schools, studies show that physical activity improves academic achievement, increases confidence and self-esteem, reduces discipline problems, cuts absenteeism and fosters better interpersonal relationships. To help achieve this vision, Steinfeld together with the Anthem Foundation, Nike and Coca Cola, have partnered to open fitness centers across the country.
“We continue to be impressed by Jake’s commitment, passion and his own inspirational story to help motivate kids across the country to teach them the overall impact of being healthy and fit,” said Lance Chrisman, Anthem Foundation executive director. “That’s why we’re pleased to support the efforts of the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Council that is energizing a generation of kids to become active adults.”
“It’s an honor to be recognized by the Anthem Foundation for my philanthropic work to inspire kids to live a healthy and active lifestyle,” Steinfeld said. “I’d like to challenge kids and adults everywhere to find your passion and make your dreams happen. As I always say, ‘Stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit, it’s when things seem worst that you must not quit. Don’t Quit!’”
About Anthem Foundation
The Anthem Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Anthem, Inc. and through charitable contributions and programs, the Foundation promotes the inherent commitment of Anthem, Inc. to enhance the health and well-being of individuals and families in communities that Anthem, Inc. and its affiliated health plans serve. The Foundation focuses its funding on strategic initiatives that address and provide innovative solutions to health care challenges, as well as promoting the Healthy Generations Program, a multi-generational initiative that targets specific disease states and medical conditions. These disease states and medical conditions include: prenatal care in the first trimester, low birth weight babies, cardiac morbidity rates, long term activities that decrease obesity and increase physical activity, diabetes prevalence in adult populations, adult pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations and smoking cessation. The Foundation also coordinates the company’s year-round Associate Giving program, which provides a 50 percent match of associates’ pledges, as well as its Volunteer Time Off and Dollars for Doers community service programs. To learn more about the Anthem Foundation, please visit http://www.anthem.foundation and its blog at http://anthemfoundation.tumblr.com.
