Samir Becic: Open Letter to President Donald Trump

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Dear President Trump,

I am writing this letter with hope that you will join my efforts in making America the fittest and healthiest nation in the world.

As a Bosnian-born American who came to this country in 2000, I have devoted my professional career to making America one of the healthiest and fittest nations in the world so that we can lead the world in health and fitness, as we do in so many other things such as freedom, democracy, economics, and the military, to name a few.

My Health Fitness Revolution team and I are the first in the country to rank American leaders in terms of health and fitness so that they can be motivated to promote a healthy lifestyle across our great nation. I created this ranking system in 2005, and it has become an annual list since 2013.

However, all my efforts are not creating enough momentum to tip the balance in our favor. Even though the mass media have reported my lists of the fittest mayors, senators, Congressmen, actors, pastors, churches, billionaires and athletes (just to name a few), it is clearly not enough. The obesity epidemic, the incidence of childhood Type II diabetes, and so many other illnesses associated with unhealthy lifestyle are increasing every year.

In order to break the ice and begin the social conversation, I started some of the most difficult fitness challenges the world has ever seen. I ran 7 marathons in 8 weeks with compressed weights equivalent to a 73.5-pound weight vest; I lived for 6 weeks carrying an extra 200-pound weight vest on my body (in order to better understand obesity); and at the end of this experience, I speed-walked 3 miles with the 200 lbs extra weight in order to motivate Americans to be more active. In the last 5 years, I have tried everything in my power to create a national awareness about obesity and its effects on our great country, with little results.

While this has been frustrating, it has also motivated me to fight for something that I believe in with all my heart and soul, which is that healthy lifestyle is a cornerstone of our nation in so many aspects. By ignoring this problem, we will be facing repercussions that will be difficult to reverse. Our corporations are losing hundreds of billions of dollars due to sick days and loss of productivity, our children are underperforming in schools, and our creativity and discipline are suffering, which may ultimately affect our military strength.

Former President George W. Bush once said, “Exercise is so important that corporate America should help its employees make time. There should be flextime for families, and there should be flextime for exercise. A healthy workforce is a more productive workforce.  We have got to do a better job of encouraging exercise in America.” John F. Kennedy also famously proclaimed, “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.”

The problems that we currently have with our healthcare can be minimized with preventative self-care through healthy lifestyle. It is not very difficult to be healthy, but actually, it is very simple. The key is sticking to the basics and not trying to reinvent the wheel.

Approximately 75% of Americans are overweight and more than 35% are obese, which is such an alarming number that using the term “epidemic” is not strong enough.

Millions of our children, who are the future of our country, are suffering from Type II diabetes and dozens of other illnesses that are associated with unhealthy lifestyle, lack of physical fitness, and poor nutrition. Our children will not be able to reach their full potential without first living in a healthy environment. This is ultimately our duty as parents, educational institutions, and the government to provide for them. How can they be the best CEOs, officers, professors, scientists, and leaders if unhealthy lifestyle and obesity puts the odds against them?

Mr. President, America is asking you for support on this matter that is threatening our great nation just as much, if not more, than the many other hot topics that we see and hear about on a daily basis.

Mr. President, your campaign quote is “Make America Great Again,” so, I’m asking you, does that also mean: “Make America Fit Again”?

Sincerely,

Samir Becic

Originally published on samirbecic.com

 

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Samir Becic
Samir Becic is a world-renowned health and fitness expert. Named the “Fitness Czar” by the City of Houston in 2018, he is also the author of the HarperCollins book ReSYNC Your Life, founder of Health Fitness Revolution Magazine, 4 x #1 Fitness Trainer in America by Bally Total Fitness, and creator of the ReSync Fitness Method. The Mayor of Houston and the 16 City Council Members proclaimed January 10th, 2023 as the official “Samir Becic Day” in the City of Houston. In May 2023, he was awarded the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award by President Joe Biden, recognizing his invaluable contributions to society. In December 2023, Samir received a United States Congressional proclamation from the Historic 18th District for his prolific advocacy of physical fitness as an instrument for improving America’s health and his decade-long commitment to motivating the United States Congress. Samir’s impact extends beyond accolades; his work has graced the pages of numerous top-tier media outlets. His vibrant presence and powerful motivational skills have solidified his status as a luminary in the health and fitness domain. -Received a United States Congressional proclamation from the Historic 18th District in December 2023 for his influential role in the community and dedication to fitness advocacy -Bestowed a President’s Lifetime Achievement Award in May 2023 from President Joe Biden for his commitment to philanthropy and volunteering -January 10th, 2023 proclaimed as the official "Samir Becic Day" by Mayor Sylvester Turner and the 16 City of Houston Council Members for Samir's advocacy of health and fitness in America  -November 1st, 2022 proclaimed as the official "Samir Becic Day" by Mayor Sylvester Turner for Samir's service during his 4 years as the official "Fitness Czar" for the City of Houston and 20 years as a health advisor to previous Mayors -Official Fitness Czar for the city of Houston proclaimed by Mayor Sylvester Turner  -Named the “Best Fitness Trainer in the World” by two-time NBA Championship coach and Olympic gold medalist Rudy Tomjanovich -Named Top 40 "American Dream" immigrant -Chosen among the Top 6 "American Dream" immigrants for a collaborative panel between Interfaith Ministries and Houstonia Magazine -“#1 Fitness Trainer in the World,”- 4 times by Bally Total Fitness -#1 Fitness Trainer in Texas,”- 22 times by Bally Total Fitness -#1 Fitness Trainer in Houston”- 29 times by Bally Total Fitness -“Best of the Best Fitness Trainer”- 2 times by Bally Total Fitness -“Best Fitness Director”- 2 times by Bally Total Fitness -“Men’s Journal Top Fitness Trainer in America” -“Houston Health Warrior” by Health & Fitness Sports Magazine  -“The Motivator” by the Houston Chronicle

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