Founder of Health Fitness Revolution, 4 x #1 Fitness Trainer, and author of ReSYNC Your Life, Samir Becic and HFR have been creating lists of the fittest politicians in various branches of government in order to motivate Americans to embrace a healthier lifestyle.
Part of Samir’s campaign as the newly appointed “Fitness Czar” of Houston is to interview all the physically fittest leading politicians in America in order to promote their healthy lifestyles and policies.
Mayor Tim Keller impressively keeps an extra set of workout clothes in his car so that he can go run in the sand during his mid-day breaks! He still plays football with the best of them and credits his athlete mentality to helping him in his successful career. Undoubtedly one of the fittest Mayors in America, read our exclusive interview to find out how he stays fit day to day, what motivates him, and how he aims to make fitness more accessible to the people of Albuquerque.
Samir Becic: What is your fitness routine? Your favorite exercise and Your favorite meal?
Mayor Keller: It’s a bit unorthodox, but I do a lot of trail running in the desert and sand, and I do a lot of outdoor activities. I keep an extra set of running shoes and workout clothes in the trunk of my car, and no matter where I am in the city, if I have 30 minutes, I’ll go and run- it could be around a track, around a golf course, in an open field- I just fit it in! I also prefer running in deep sand in the desert- it’s good for the ankles and knees. Formally, I run/sprint about twice a week for about an hour and I play football.
That is amazing and what we call true organic training! Do you think education with sports, and having a healthy lifestyle as you do actually makes you so successful?
Yes, absolutely. I am a big fan of team sports and the camaraderie and coming together for a common goal which is very similar to what we do in our leadership team at the city. Being a quarterback is one of the most challenging things I have ever done- it was a mix of the physical, instinctual, and intellectual. I found being a quarterback a uniquely leadership-oriented task.
Thank you for being an American hero when it comes to a healthy lifestyle. What motivates you to be healthy? Why are you healthy? Why are you working out?
For me, it helps to keep my energy levels up and I found it in correlation to staying healthy and not getting sick. Even when I’m coming down with a cold, I actually start feeling better when I up my workout rather than rest. As we get older, general fitness is a great way to test physical durability and avoid some of the bumps in the road.
That’s great. When you work out the way you do, your body continues to look younger and you fight the negative effects of aging. Another question, children are the future of our country and the rates of obesity and diabetes are rising especially among children. What would you say to American youths in terms of healthy lifestyle? What would you recommend them to do?
I will definitely say stay active and find something that works for you, whether it is walking, running or biking. It keeps the body healthy, and you’ve got to enjoy being active. Moderation and diet for kids are important, you have to watch the portions.
Mayor, corporations are losing lots of money because of sick days and unfit employees. What would you recommend? John F. Kennedy said, “Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body. It is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.” What is your stance on that?
I am a believer in that. It’s about productivity, and if we are sick and not feeling good, we cannot concentrate. Economically, investing in employees health is one of the best things companies can do!
America is one of the greatest countries in the world and yet we have so many problems with obesity, and we can fix that, wouldn’t you agree?
That is really important and yes, the good news is, we can fix it and it’s a goal we can actually accomplish!
Last question, fitness connects people from any race, background, and any religion. What are you doing in your city to connect people through fitness?
We are trying to double, if not triple the amount of social and fitness-related activities that our city government does, and a lot of it includes programs for kids and continuing education for adults. It’s our #1 priority, and right now, we touch about 20,000 people in our city with activity programs, and we are trying to reach 50,000 by the time I’m done with the first few years. It’s a tall order, but we actually measure this and it’s core to what we are trying to do to activate Albuquerque.
