Can exercise professionals become a cornerstone of healthcare? Discover how we're working to make this vision a reality as we reflect on our journey since 2021. Learning from all our amazing guests over the past three and a half years has taught us the importance of policy and system changes to integrate exercise professionals into healthcare delivery. As we move towards 2025, the focus remains on keeping you, our listeners, informed and proactively identifying opportunities for you to engage in that cement exercise professionals as vital healthcare stakeholders.
Physical inactivity is an epidemic with far-reaching health and economic ramifications. Explore how the Physical Activity Alliance (PAA) is committed to reshaping the healthcare paradigm in America by embedding exercise professionals into healthcare delivery. As the president of the PAA, our host, Michael Stack, emphasizes the importance of awareness and collaboration with stakeholders to transform how society views physical activity. We aim to inspire listeners to embrace and promote movement as a critical component of health and well-being.
In this episode, we outline our commitment to provide regular updates about ongoing efforts in physical activity policy and professionalization. As the holiday season approaches, we extend our warmest wishes and look forward to continuing this journey with you in 2025.
Our Host: Michael Stack, BS, ACSM-EP, ACSM-EIM, ACSM-PAPHS, CSCS, FMFA
Michael Stack is the founder & CEO of Applied Fitness Solutions, the Michigan Moves Coalition and the More than Movement Foundation. He is a faculty lecturer for the University of Michigan’s School of Kinesiology and the President of the Physical Activity Alliance. He is also the creator and the host of the Wellness Paradox Podcast, produced in conjunction with University of Michigan.
Michael is an exercise physiologist by training and a health entrepreneur, health educator, and fitness industry advocate by trade. He is dedicated to the policy and system changes to ensure exercise professionals become an essential part of healthcare delivery.
With a career spanning over three decades in fitness, health, and wellness Michael has a deep knowledge of exercise physiology, health/wellness coaching, lifestyle interventions to mitigate chronic disease and leadership. He is credentialed through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) as an Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-EP), Exercise is Medicine practitioner (ASCM-EIM), and a Physical Activity in Public Health Specialist (ACSM-PAPHS). Michael is a National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and a CDC Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) Lifestyle Coach. Michael received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan’s School of Kinesiology.
Michael is the Chair of the Michigan Moves Coalition, and a board member of the Michigan Fitness Association. He is the chair of the University of Michigan’s School of Kinesiology Alumni Board of Governors. Michael is an expert curriculum reviewer for the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) and a Fellow of the Medical Fitness Association.
Michael lectures nationally for several health/fitness certification and continuing education organizations, including; ACSM, ACLM, IHRSA, the Medical Fitness Association, the National Strength & Conditioning Association, and SCW Fitness.