Congrats to Paul Zientarski:
Action For Healthy Kids School
Health Heroes Award Winner!

61We know the mind body connection is real. Just ask PE consultant, retired teacher, and FORWARD Advisory Board member Paul Zientarski. Paul was inspired when he heard a Harvard professor speak about the positive influence physical activity has on the brain. Paul teamed up with a few like-minded individuals and together they developed the Learning Readiness PE (LEPE) program to prove physical activity has a positive impact on brain function.

The Learning Readiness PE Program collects and analyzes data that proves students perform better in a class they are struggling in if they precede the class with physical activity. The research was a huge breakthrough in what Action for Healthy Kids refers to as The Learning Connection. Stated simply, healthy and active kids learn better. The Program has received worldwide attention and Paul has traveled the country presenting his brain research findings, explaining the effects of fitness and exercise on academic performance. His favorite moments include presenting brain science research to the Illinois Enhance PE Task Force and to the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition.

Paul’s investment in the mind body connection goes much deeper than LEPE. He spent forty years as a physical education teacher. “Helping kids lead healthier lives has been a priority of mine for years.” The biggest struggle he’s come across is trying to educate parents on making smart and healthy choices for their kids. As a loving parent and grandparent himself, Paul says, “Every parent wants their children to be successful but they haven’t figured out that success and happiness come from children who are healthy.” He won’t stop until his message is heard loud and clear!

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