Our Mission: To teach athletic skills for lifelong participation.

Every day I hear the stories of parents and children who struggle with being overweight or obese. It is heartbreaking to listen to them. Parents want their children to be active. They long to see them happy, playing with other children and self confident. But they simply don't know how to help their children get active and get in the game. They don't know how to fight against childhood obesity.

Many of these children could have a very different life if they were given a gift, as I was when I was very young.

Most gifts come wrapped. They are opened and appreciated in an instant. My gift was very different. I couldn't see it. I couldn't touch it. I couldn't taste it. But, I still experience and enjoy it every day of my life. It changed my life and the lives of the more than 80,000 children that I have worked with as a physical education professional.

Let me share a little of my story. I can't remember a time when I wasn't active. As an infant, my parents did not put me in a bouncy chair leaving me to entertain myself or sit me in front of a TV. From the time that I was very young my parents built activity into every single day. My father was definitely a sports nut and fortunately for me, he had all girls. So, we were his playmates.

There were pogo sticks and stilts, balls to kick and logs that magically became balance beams. Gymnastics in the back yard and swimming lessons, beginning at age four, were also part of the fun. As a family, we played every game imaginable. Badminton, archery, kickball, water and snow skiing, softball and the list goes on. Dad loved to play games and, in the process, was teaching us the skills we needed to be active. I became more confident with each new skill I learned.

When I went to elementary school, I routinely beat the boys at every game. I didn't really think about it. I just assumed that everyone knew how to do the things that dad taught us. I didn't understand then that my tremendous confidence came from my physical abilities, trained through my early and vast sport experiences. I had the tools to tackle any sport experience and was always ready to try anything new.

In Junior and Senior High I was a "natural athlete," or so everyone said. Of course, I believed them. After all, some people are good at math or science. I was good at sports.

It wasn't until I was an adult that I realized I wasn't talented, I was trained. My parents gave me the gift of what I call "physical literacy." These are the physical skills that every kid needs to be self confident, skilled, and physically active. And, they can be taught to every child.

My dad certainly was active throughout his life. He was a National Table Tennis Champion in the 1960's and played in the Senior Olympics right up until he died at the age of 84. He taught me, inspired me, and provided a role model for lifelong physical activity. Now, I teach and inspire others and provide the role model of a physically active life. My career and personal mission are dedicated to giving the gift of Physical Literacy that I received. Over the years I have been a physical educator and coach, an elite level gymnastics coach, and the creator of programs that are designed to give kids the gift I was given. Every child can benefit from learning the core skills that keep them off the sidelines. The gift is especially important in the prevention of overweight and obesity. So, please join me and give the gift to a child you know. Let's help our kids get active, get sweaty, and get in the game!