America stands at a critical health crossroads. Despite overwhelming evidence that physical activity is our most powerful health intervention, we remain a culture of inactivity. That's about to change.

The Physical Activity Alliance has planted its flag with a Big Hairy Audacious Goal that will transform American health: By 2050, over 50% of the US population will meet the National Physical Activity Guidelines for both aerobic exercise and muscle strengthening. This ambitious target wasn't chosen arbitrarily—it represents the threshold at which we can truly call ourselves a "culture of physical activity" rather than inactivity.

As president of the PAA, our host, Michael Stack, has conducted extensive listening sessions with stakeholders across the physical activity spectrum who consistently identified this cultural transformation as our ultimate measure of success. The PAA's BHAG meets all the criteria needed for transformative change: it's bold yet achievable, clear and compelling, long-term focused, inspiring, measurable, and capable of aligning diverse stakeholders under a common purpose.

Achieving this goal demands a whole-society approach. The PAA is leading through initiatives like "It's Time to Move," which aims to make physical activity assessment, prescription, and referral the standard of care in medicine. We're collaborating with federal partners and working on implementing the National Physical Activity Plan across states. But we also need grassroots engagement from every sector—healthcare, education, business, community planning, and more.

This moment represents a unique inflection point for physical activity in America. There's unprecedented alignment both within and outside government to elevate movement as a primary health intervention. Download the National Physical Activity Plan from our show notes and ask yourself: what role will you play in transforming America into a nation where movement is woven into our cultural fabric? Join us in making this BHAG our shared reality.

Show Notes Page: https://www.wellnessparadoxpod.com/podcast/episode/144

Our Host: Michael Stack
Michael Stack is the founder & CEO of Applied Fitness Solutions, the Michigan Moves Coalition and the More than Movement Foundation. He is a faculty lecturer for the University of Michigan’s School of Kinesiology and the President of the Physical Activity Alliance. He is also the creator and the host of the Wellness Paradox Podcast, produced in conjunction with University of Michigan.

Michael is an exercise physiologist by training and a health entrepreneur, health educator, and advocate by trade. He is dedicated to the policy and system changes to ensure exercise professionals become an essential part of healthcare delivery.

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Ever wondered how to turn national physical activity guidelines into meaningful community change? This eye-opening conversation reveals the roadmap for developing state-level physical activity plans that make movement a priority where Americans actually live, work, and play.

Wellness Paradox host Michael Stack shares the journey of building the Michigan Moves Coalition, showing that creating transformative plans doesn't require extensive resources—just passionate advocates willing to collaborate. "All health is local," highlighting why adapting evidence-based national strategies to meet specific community needs is so critical for improving public health outcomes.

The process follows a clear framework: first, building a coalition of physical activity stakeholders; second, partnering with state health departments; and third, recruiting sector leaders across healthcare, education, parks and recreation, faith communities, and more. What began in Michigan with just six organizations has grown to nearly 60 representatives from over 50 major institutions—all committed to making the active choice the easy choice.

With over 80% of America's $4.9 trillion healthcare spending going toward chronic disease management, these state-level planning efforts represent not just a public health necessity but an economic imperative. The beauty lies in their accessibility—you don't need to reinvent the wheel, just adapt existing frameworks to your local context while focusing on measurable wins that build momentum.

Ready to start a movement in your community? Download the National Physical Activity Plan from the show notes page and connect with other passionate advocates. The Physical Activity Alliance stands ready to support initiatives across all states with resources and guidance. Together, we can break down the silos between sectors and create communities where physical activity becomes an integral part of daily life.

Show Notes Page: https://www.wellnessparadoxpod.com/podcast/episode/143

Our Host: Michael Stack

Michael Stack is the founder & CEO of Applied Fitness Solutions, the Michigan Moves Coalition and the More than Movement Foundation. He is a faculty lecturer for the University of Michigan’s School of Kinesiology and the President of the Physical Activity Alliance. He is also the creator and the host of the Wellness Paradox Podcast, produced in conjunction with University of Michigan.

Michael is an exercise physiologist by training and a health entrepreneur, health educator, and advocate by trade. He is dedicated to the policy and system changes to ensure exercise professionals become an essential part of healthcare delivery.

Follow us on social at the links below:

https://www.facebook.com/wellnessparadox

https://www.instagram.com/wellnessparadox/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/wellness-paradox-podcast

https://twitter.com/WellnessParadox

The absence of physical activity from critical national health policy conversations represents a profound failure of advocacy that demands immediate attention. In this eye-opening episode, our host, Michael Stack explores how the Department of Health and Human Services' recent announcement to combat chronic disease through "safe, wholesome food, clean water and elimination of environmental toxins" completely omitted any mention of movement or physical activity – one of the most powerful health intervention available to Americans.

This glaring oversight serves as a wake-up call for everyone passionate about movement and health. We simply aren't winning as a physical activity community when we remain invisible in national health policy conversations. Despite overwhelming scientific evidence showing that just 150 minutes of weekly movement delivers more health benefits than any other intervention of comparable time commitment, physical activity continues to be marginalized or completely forgotten in public health planning.

In this episode, we outline concrete steps for becoming effective advocates – from building relationships with local officials to engaging with state and federal representatives. The path forward requires both top-down organizational advocacy and grassroots engagement from passionate individuals willing to have conversations that elevate physical activity to its rightful place alongside food, water, and environmental factors. Until we secure our seat at the policy table, America's health will continue to suffer from this critical oversight.

Show Notes Page: https://www.wellnessparadoxpod.com/podcast/episode/142

Our Host: Michael Stack

Michael Stack is the founder & CEO of Applied Fitness Solutions, the Michigan Moves Coalition and the More than Movement Foundation. He is a faculty lecturer for the University of Michigan’s School of Kinesiology and the President of the Physical Activity Alliance. He is also the creator and the host of the Wellness Paradox Podcast, produced in conjunction with University of Michigan.

Michael is an exercise physiologist by training and a health entrepreneur, health educator, and advocate by trade. He is dedicated to the policy and system changes to ensure exercise professionals become an essential part of healthcare delivery.

Follow us on social at the links below:

https://www.facebook.com/wellnessparadox

https://www.instagram.com/wellnessparadox/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/wellness-paradox-podcast

https://twitter.com/WellnessParadox