Episode 1 - Dr. Amy Bantham

Few people in medicine, rehab, and fitness realize that there's an entire movement going on "behind the scenes" to increase physical activity in the U.S. (a national physical activity plan), improve and in some cases, create policy and system changes (i.e., strategies for health care, education, recreation, transportation, and other sectors of the economy to enhance physical activity opportunities), and to better connect healthcare (clinicians) and fitness (fitness professionals). Part of this movement is led by an organization called the Physical Activity Alliance, which is the merging of three large organizations several years ago (National Physical Activity Plan Alliance, National Physical Activity Society, National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity), and includes many of the "biggest players" in medicine, rehab, and fitness sitting at the same table to make all this a realization over the next several years. I'm very fortunate to have as my first guest the current President of the Physical Activity Alliance, Dr. Amy Bantham. During this interview Dr. Bantham explains her background, and why she has such a passion for physical activity as medicine, and connecting the healthcare and fitness fields. You'll also learn more about this critical physical activity movement and better understand why and how this "bridging of the gap" that we always hear about is actually in the works. Guest Speaker Bio (from the Harvard University website): Amy received her Doctor of Public Health from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in May 2020, with concentrations in Health Communication and Obesity Epidemiology & Prevention. Her doctoral research focused on physician exercise prescriptions/referrals and patient exercise behavior change. She is now the CEO and Founder of Move to Live More, a research and consulting firm working at the intersection of healthcare, health & fitness, and communities. Its mission is to help people live longer, healthier and more active lives. Prior to enrolling in the DrPH program, Amy grew and promoted the fitness industry helping 150 million people get physically active. As IHRSA’s Vice President of Health Promotion and Health Policy, she led advocacy initiatives to make physical activity more affordable and accessible. She oversaw the IHRSA Foundation’s ACCESS Health Initiative, which helps health clubs provide programming and services to people with chronic conditions, including people living with diabetes, cancer and disability. Visioning the fitness industry delivering evidence-based programs for chronic disease prevention and management, she worked to build bridges with the medical and public health communities. Amy also holds a Bachelor of Arts from Yale University, a Master in Public Policy from Harvard University and a Master of Science from Northeastern University. Links: https://paamovewithus.org/ https://www.movetolivemore.com/   / amybantham     / amybantham