About The Council

The California Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting physical activity for all Californians, with an emphasis on children and youth.  Research has shown that regular physical activity during childhood and adolescence helps build healthier bones and muscles, increases self-esteem and reduces the risk of diseases such as type-2 diabetes and obesity. In addition, physical activity and fitness has been shown to be highly correlated with academic success.

The Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports has five core initiatives:

• The Governor's Challenge
The Governor's Challenge presented by General Mills encourages Californians to be physically active 30-60 minutes a day at least 3 days a week. The Governor's Challenge seeks to establish early habits of physical activity in California's youngest citizens and to encourage all Californians to be physically active for their health and well-being. The Governor’s Challenge Competition is an annual contest among k-12 schools that encourages students, teachers and parents to be physically active.  Top prizes for schools include three $100,000 fitness center grand prizes and eleven $5,000 regional awards.

• The Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Spotlight Awards
The Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Spotlight Awards presented by the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation shines a spotlight on individuals, organizations and events that employ innovation, inspiration and initiative to positively impact physical activity, fitness levels and the well being of California children and youth.

• Activity Guide
The Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports' Activity Guide presented by Longs Drugs is an on-line searchable database of sporting activities, youth organizations and parks throughout California that parents, health practitioners and other Californians can use to connect California children and youth with physically active opportunities in their communities.

 • Exercise is Medicine
The California Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, the American College of Sports Medicine, and the American Medical Association are working together to encourage physicians to prescribe exercise to patients who would benefit from increased levels of physical activity.  The Council is encouraging California doctors to 1) go to our website and pledge their support for this initiative, and 2) use our downloadable Exercise is Medicine prescription pads to prescribe exercise to patients who would benefit from being more physically active.

• Live Like a Champion Tour
The Live Like a Champion Tour powered by Anthem Blue Cross is a mobile outreach campaign that visits schools, Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCAs and other venues throughout California to promote physical activity and fitness.  Champion athletes such as Jerry Rice, Misty May-Treanor, Lisa Leslie and Julie Foudy are lending their names and likenesses to the tour to engage children and their parents in fun physical activities while encouraging them to make healthy choices.

The Governor serves as the Honorary Chairman of the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, Jake Steinfeld is the Council Chairman and Peter Vidmar is the Council Vice Chairman. They are joined by other celebrity athletes and business and community leaders as members of the Governor's Council. These distinguished Californians volunteer their time to attend bi-annual meetings, and spread the message of physical activity and fitness throughout the state.

California Governor's Council Board of Directors and Council Members: