1. Your name, title, and age? What do you do (or did you do) for a living?

Rich Millar, Founder of HealthMovement.com, 31

I have worked in corporate wellness, done nutrition consulting, personal training, health coaching and most recently was working in Health Care Administration where I was the administrator of a 115 bed short-term, sub-acute rehab facility. I decided to leave that job to start Health Movement in hopes of helping others achieve a healthy lifestyle and prevent disease.

2. Who was the person that inspired you as a child to eat healthy and stay fit? What was their relationship to you?

My mom was actually the person who started me down a healthy path. From providing healthy foods and a healthy environment to encouraging me to be active and get enough rest. I owe my current health habits to my mom.

3. What did they do to inspire you?

Despite us being poor, she always made sure we had fruits and vegetables available and was always encouraging me to eat them. We always had dinner as a family and there was always a salad first and then one or two other veggies on the table. Additionally she encouraged me to “turn off the TV” and go outside and play as well as making sure I got enough rest each night.

4. How did their lesson change your life?

Well it set me on the path I’m still on. It instilled in me the desire and know how to be healthy and take care of my body. Which since then has provided me with countless opportunities from playing sports to enjoying nature and the outdoors and ultimately led me to this career path and wanting to start a health company to help others be healthy!

5. Do you convey their message to kids in your life presently?

Absolutely! I try and instill these same principles in kids today. From high school assemblies to the Boys & Girls club I try to volunteer my time to help kids understand what it means to be healthy and the tools they’ll need to be successful.

6. What would be your main message to children today to lead healthy lifestyles?

First and foremost, that there are lots of ways to be healthy and to find a way that fits their preferences and that they like. Second, that we were all built with different body types and will never all look the same. So their goal should be to be the healthiest for their body type, and to not judge others or compare themselves to others. And third, to focus on these 4 things: get daily proper sleep, exercise, nutrition and avoid drugs, tobacco and alcohol and you can reduce your risk of developing all chronic disease by up to 80%! Also that exercise doesn’t have to be in a gym or boring, it’s anything they enjoy that gets their heart rate and breathing up. And the two keys to nutrition are, 1) don’t overeat, stop before you’re full and 2) eat the right type of foods: veggies, fruits, nuts, whole grains, lean protein and drink lots of water. If they can do those two things most of the time, it’s okay to have a small treat
every day.

7. Do you have a web site you would like to promote….web address only?

HealthMovement.com