After earning a PhD in exercise physiology, John expanded his interests, and ultimately his speaking career, into the area of body image, faith and fitness, and sports and virtue. While such topics have great value independently, a deeper meaning of them can be attained by associating each with God's intention for us.
John is known in his classes and speaking engagements for his enthusiastic (and sometimes humorous)
Radio and TV - Current host of Faith & Fitness on Radio Maria, Mondays at 2pm EST. Current host of The Fitness Doctor television program on Time Warner Cable in Union County, NC. Former host of The Fitness Doctor program on ESPN radio (Charlote, 730AM). Appearances on radio shows hosted by Teresa Tomeo, Bear Woznick, and Jennifer Fulwiler
Books: "Improving Your Body Image Through Catholic Teaching" - #1 Bestseller on Amazon, April, 2014.
"Raising Kids with a Healthy Body Image: A Guide for Catholic Parents"
Presentation Topics:
No Body’s Perfect: A Catholic’s Guide to a Better Body Image
Society has been very effective on letting people know what the body is for, but God has something to say about the meaning and purpose of the body too. This talk will begin by addressing the variety of reasons for today’s hysteria concerning body size, weight, and body manipulation, and will conclude with a powerful discussion on how our Catholic faith, and in particular how John Paul II’s Theology of the Body can heal our body issues.
No Body’s Perfect: A Teen Catholic’s Guide to a Better Body Image
Society has been very effective on letting people know what the body is for, and the various forms of media start a relentless pursuit on people at a very young age. In many cases, before parents and the Catholic teachings can take hold, the media convinces too many teenagers that specific body type, size and weight are needed for success, friendship and love. Too often this begins a life-long battle of poor body issues. By using John Paul II’s Theology of the Body as the basis, this presentation will conclude with a powerful discussion on how our Catholic faith can heal the many feelings concerning body distortion.
Character and Morality in Sports
In 2005, the Vatican announced the creation of the Office of Church and Sport, a council developed to directly address the role of the athlete, coaches, parents and administrators in all aspects of sport and exercise. All participants have been granted the responsibility to maintain a certain level of integrity and morality concerning the game and their bodies. This discussion will specifically address unsportsmanlike behavior, illegal supplement use, and the tendency of athletes to glorify themselves instead of God. The message from the Office of Church and Sport will facilitate the latter portion of this presentation.
Character and Morality in Sports for Teens
In 2005, the Vatican announced the creation of the Office of Church and Sport, a council developed to directly address the role of the athlete, the coaches, parents and administrators in all aspects of sport and exercise. Since many learn poor sports-related behavior at a young age, teens need to hear about the responsibilities that have been granted by God to maintain a certain level of integrity and morality concerning the game and their bodies. This discussion will specifically address unsportsmanlike behavior, illegal supplement use, and the tendency of athletes to glorify themselves instead of God in the world of youth and high school sports. The message from the Office of Church and Sport will facilitate the latter portion of this presentation.
Spirituality and Wellness
Too many times we fail to make a meaningful connection between our service to God and our bodily health. This presentation will focus on the various aspects of wellness (physical, emotional, spiritual, social and intellectual) and how the care and development of each component directly relates to God’s plan for each one of us. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body and St Paul’s writings will be the basis for this talk.
Strategies to Stay with Your Nutrition and Fitness Plan
Fifty percent of all who begin an exercise program or diet will quit that plan within the first six months. Because of this, people need assistance in their noble efforts to change their behavior. This presentation will provide specific strategies that have been supported in behavior-change research that will help everyone who struggles with the tendency of exercise or diet relapse.
