Every day, parents across America send their children to school with one simple hope: that they will return home safe. Sadly, that hope is shattered far too often. In 2023 alone, there were more than 300 incidents of gun violence on school grounds. As someone who has dedicated my career to helping children grow healthier, stronger, and more resilient, those numbers weigh heavily on me. Behind every statistic are real families, real children, and communities left asking the same painful question: Why wasn’t something done sooner?

Over the past three decades, I have worked with thousands of children and seen firsthand how bullying, isolation, and emotional struggles can erode their well-being. Many of the young people who turn to violence share a tragic common thread: they felt unseen, unheard, or without healthy outlets for their pain. That reality drove me to create an assessment initiative within my Shape Up America Campaign, designed to identify and support children who may be struggling before their challenges spiral into dangerous behavior.

More than twenty years ago, I launched Shape Up America to bring families together around the value of health and fitness. What began as a series of family fitness expos has grown into a national movement that has drawn hundreds of thousands of attendees from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C. At these expos, I have been fortunate to share the stage with inspiring speakers and exhibitors, all focused on helping families make healthier choices. One of my proudest moments came recently when a practicing MD approached me in Beverly Hills. She explained that over a dozen years ago, as a teenager, she attended one of my expos and was so inspired by the experience that she decided to pursue a career in healthcare. Stories like hers remind me of the ripple effects these programs can have, and how one spark of inspiration can shape an entire future.

From Fitness to Prevention

While Shape Up America began as a way to promote fitness, it quickly became clear that the benefits went far beyond physical health. I created what I first called the Sports Identification Program to help children discover their natural athletic abilities and connect with activities that gave them confidence and joy. As the program developed, I realized it was also an effective, stigma-free way to notice when a child might need extra guidance, emotional support, or mentorship.

By blending seamlessly into physical education classes, the program ensures that teachers and counselors can identify early warning signs such as withdrawal, isolation, or loss of confidence before they escalate. I have always believed that sound bodies lead to sound minds. When children build strength, confidence, and community through fitness, they also build a healthier self-image, which can make a profound difference in preventing violence.

The Science is Clear

What I have witnessed anecdotally for decades is now backed up by science. Regular physical activity offers profound mental health benefits for children and adolescents, significantly reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. A meta-analysis in JAMA Pediatrics found exercise to be as effective as psychotherapy or medication in alleviating depressive symptoms, while aerobic activities specifically help lower anxiety sensitivity, a key risk factor for anxiety disorders.

Furthermore, physical activity consistently boosts self-esteem and self-perception, particularly through non-competitive, mastery-oriented activities. These activities foster confidence, social skills, and positive body image, as highlighted by the World Health Organization. I have seen this firsthand: when kids feel good about what their bodies can do, they start to feel better about who they are.

Beyond emotional well-being, exercise enhances cognitive function and academic performance. Physical activity promotes blood flow to the brain and stimulates growth in the hippocampus, a region critical for memory and learning. The CDC has reported that active students typically achieve better grades, better attendance, and better concentration in class. Fitness also improves sleep quality, reduces ADHD symptoms, with just 26 minutes of daily activity showing significant benefits, and aids stress regulation by lowering cortisol and boosting endorphins. These benefits collectively build emotional resilience and daily functioning. Major health bodies, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, recommend that youth engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity each day. This is not just about fitness; it is about equipping children with the physical and emotional resources they need to thrive.

Why It Works

Here is what I have learned:

• Bullying and Isolation Matter. Ignoring them magnifies the harm. Programs like Shape Up America make sure no child falls through the cracks.
• Early Intervention Saves Lives. Small acts of support, given at the right time, can completely redirect a child’s path.
• No Labels, No Shame. The system preserves dignity while offering real help.
• Fitness Builds More than Strength. Sports relieve stress, build confidence, and foster social bonds. These bonds are a vital defense against alienation.

Carrying Jack LaLanne’s Legacy Forward

This mission is also deeply personal. My late mentor, Jack LaLanne, the godfather of modern fitness, taught me that health could transform lives when it was made fun, accessible, and empowering. I created Shape Up America to carry forward that vision on a national scale, and I see his influence in everything I do.

Now, as a candidate for the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, I aim to bring this vision to schools nationwide. My goal is simple but urgent: to make preventive, fitness-based programs a standard, ensuring every child has the tools to thrive physically, emotionally, and academically.

The Bottom Line

The message is clear: healthier bodies lead to healthier minds, and healthier minds create safer schools. By combining fitness, early intervention, and positive reinforcement, we can offer a proactive, stigma-free way to build stronger, safer communities.

We already have the tools to recognize the warning signs early and guide students toward healthier outlets. Now we must commit to using them. This is not just about fitness. It is about saving lives, strengthening communities, and giving our children a future filled with hope and resilience.

About Mike Torchia and Shape Up America Campaign

Mike Torchia is a nationally recognized health and fitness expert, speaker, and advocate who has spent more than 30 years helping people of all ages lead healthier lives. A protégé of fitness legend Jack LaLanne, Torchia founded the Shape Up America Campaign, a nationwide initiative that has reached hundreds of thousands of families through expos, workshops, and school programs. Shape Up America is dedicated to improving physical health, mental well-being, and community safety by making fitness fun, accessible, and empowering. For more information, visit www.ShapeUpAmericaCampaign.com.

Media Contact
Company Name: Shape Up America Campaign
Contact Person: Michael Torchia, America’s Leading Health Expert & Lifestyle
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Phone: 310-650-5595
Country: United States
Website: www.ShapeUpAmericaCampaign.com