PHIT America the non-profit education and advocacy organization designed to combat the nation’s inactivity and obesity crisis announced two-time USA Hockey Olympic silver medalist Brianne McLaughlin and bobsled pilot Jazmine Fenlator as its latest Celebrity Ambassadors.
McLaughlin and Fenlator join a team of 25 elite athletes, coaches and sports personalities as current PHIT America ambassadors, including NFL Hall of Fame member Herschel Walker and fitness expert Denise Austin. The group shares a common goal of creating “A Movement for a Fit and Healthy America” by educating adults and children alike about the importance of an active lifestyle to improve overall health.
A two-time World Champion and winner of silver medals at the 2010 Vancouver and 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games, McLaughlin has always stressed the importance of fitness and exercise both on-and-off the ice.
“I am so happy to team up with PHIT America and have a platform to share the importance of physical activity,” says McLaughlin, currently a nursing student at Robert Morris University. “Twenty-eight percent of Americans are totally sedentary and obesity is costing our country billions of dollars; the time is now to show people the positive effects daily exercise can have on their lives before it’s too late.”
Fenlator, one of the USA Olympic Bobsled Team’s pilots in Socchi, began her athletic career at Rider University on the track and field team, specializing in hammer throw, shot put and discus. She has a special interest in empowering and inspiring children to improve themselves through exercise and developing responsible living habits.
“My dedication to physical fitness and my love of staying active has brought me not one, but two successful athletic careers,” says Fenlator. “It’s important to do something physical every day whether it’s on a shot put field or a frozen bobsled track.”
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 150 leading companies and associations from the sports, fitness, retail and media industries have contributed funds and services to support PHIT America.
“More than 80 million Americans are totally sedentary, a number that has increased steadily over the last five years,” says Jim Baugh, Founder of PHIT America and a 2011 inductee into the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame. “Inactivity is the prime contributor to the escalating healthcare costs we all face and we are proud to have these celebrities join our fight to create a healthier country.”
Americans are encouraged to support PHIT America by visiting www.PHITAmerica.org to advocate, provide a donation or participate in health and wellness programs.
