Inspiring Children From Coast to Coast
Have you ever promoted a cause you were passionate about?
How about created an event for that cause?
Ok, how about this — have you ever gone across the nation promoting the importance of that cause?
Seems outlandish, right? Well, not to Curtis Walker, founder of the Trekfit gym in Poughkeepsie, NY, who plans on bike riding across the country.
This Forrest Gump-esque journey is prompted by his eagerness to educate the youth on a healthier lifestyle, and change the next generation’s habits. “Kids need the opportunity to be as healthy as they possibly can, depending on where you come from, there are certain habits that aren’t pushed and kids can learn how to live a lifestyle that isn’t the healthiest…someone may teach someone how to cook, and that person now may have the knowledge to cook for years, but all along they could’ve been using the wrong ingredients,” he explains metaphorically.
What bothers Walker the most, are the childhood obesity rates in our country, mixed with the technological obsession amongst children. Together, he says, leads kids now to live a very inactive life. “One out of every five kids are obese — that number has tripled since the 1970’s, so it’s apparent that there is a problem.” Although Walker will be journeying across the nation representing Trekfit on his own, he plans on making a major impact on those he will encounter. He will visit elementary schools and Boys & Girls Club of America to offer free Trekfit training to as many children as he can, as well as educating them on healthy eating and teaching them fun exercise tips. Along with promoting a healthy way of life, Walker has raised money that will be used to donate to the Boys & Girls Clubs to expand their facility. Last weekend, Walker began his journey and plans to be riding for five weeks. He left from Oak Grove Elementary in Poughkeepsie, NY, and his endpoint will be Magnolia Elementary in San Diego, CA. Filling in the spots in between, he will visit Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, Kansas City, Albuquerque, and Phoenix.
“I know in very impoverished areas, television and video games are used as babysitters… so with this initiative, I plan on teaching kids that it’s cool to go outside like my generation did, it’s cool to hop on a bike and have fun, it’s cool to grab your friends and enjoy the day outside — basically — it’s cool to be physical.”
When asked about how many children he wants to make a difference to, he replied, “there is no cap.” He wants to wants to have an impact on millions of children throughout his life, and his dream for Trekfit’s future is to continue holding events — but bigger and bigger. “My dream would be to go all out in Giants stadium, or any big field, which thousands of kids — that would be a Heaven moment for me… Trekfit will change the world. This is the start of something big.”
To donate to Curtis Walker’s national ride, please visit, https://www.youcaring.com/boysandgirlsclubofamerica-1159865
