RAGBRAI XXXVIII: Wise Counsel from a Former Counselor

by: Dan Gable, U.S. Olympian, wrestling icon, and former council member

U.S. Olympian, wrestling icon, and former member of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, Dan Gable, sat down with the current Executive Director, Shellie Pfohl, to share his views on the Council, physical fitness, and nutrition while in Waterloo:

"The President's Council has been around for a long time and it's a really good concept. The key is how much really gets done in the mainstream. Sometimes because of changeover, over time, I wonder if it shouldn't be a continual building process with minor tweaks, rather than a reinvention with each administration change.

Fitness, sports, and nutrition never go out of date. They never get old. The health of the nation depends on how fit we are.

This is a valuable, valuable council. When physical education is within the school system the students take fitness, sports, and nutrition with them. The sport I represent, wrestling, does the same. Both wrestling, and especially physical fitness, should never go away.

The strength of the nation depends on health and nutrition. It's a great concept that should never be deemphasized. We should never forget health from all levels – whether the individual is able or disabled. We're seeing a nation struggling with health because we've lost some of the education process to teach our children the basics they need to know.

I really enjoyed meeting Shellie. It was good to know that we're both from Iowa because I was able to give her a more honest evaluation. We agreed that politics should never be part of this committee because it takes too much to get it up and running again after a change in leadership – and that affects that amount of productivity that can happen in such an important committee.

We both agree this is a good council... but we're always looking for improvement."

Shellie and Team USA continues their journey on Friday with a 62 mile route from Waterloo to Manchester. For more information on the ride, visit www.ragbrai.com .

Stay motivated for a healthier you and get Presidential recognition. Visit www.presidentschallenge.org to learn easy ways you can get fit while earning a Presidential Active Lifestyle Award.

On their way to Waterloo, Team USA stopped and met with the Iowa Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Nutrition to learn more about health promotion activities underway in Iowa, and to discuss opportunities for partnership with the President's Council on Fitness Sports and Nutrition.