‘Mayor Jake’ Fights Childhood Obesity

“This generation of kids might not outlive their parents,” said Pacific Palisades Honorary Mayor Jake Steinfeld, who is the co-creator of the California Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports as well as the founder of Major League Lacrosse.

“I’m going to make it a point that that’s not going to be,” the father of four told the Palisadian-Post.

Steinfeld became chairman of the National Foundation for Governor’s Fitness Councils in 2012 and partnered with Coca-Cola and AOL to provide fitness centers to elementary and middle schools across the country, he said.

“In the first week of October alone, Steinfeld has cut the ribbon on a total of six fitness centers in California and New Mexico,” said Bill Bradley, communications director for the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils. “During the second week of October, he will cut the ribbon on six additional fitness centers in Connecticut and Virginia.”

The foundation works to identify schools that demonstrate innovative ways of promoting physical activity and wellness. A blue-ribbon panel chooses the schools that are most deserving, and the foundation, in partnership with Fortune 500 companies, builds Live Positively Fitness Centers worth $100,000 on the school campuses, according to Steinfeld.

“This gift really starts to give when we leave,” he said, adding that entire communities benefit from the fitness centers as they are often the only ones around.

“I was a fat kid with a bad stutter growing up,” Steinfeld said. “My dad bought me a set of weights at 13, and it changed my life.”

This fact is part of what inspires Steinfeld to reach his goal of putting a fitness center in every public elementary and middle school in the country. So far, 16 states are already benefitting from the endeavor.

“On top of the fact that we’re building bodies,” Steinfeld said, “most importantly, we’re building confidence and self-esteem.”