A sobering new government report has prompted White House officials to bring fitness industry expertise into national health policy discussions, with entrepreneur Anthony Geisler representing the exercise sector in high-level strategy sessions.
The Presidential Commission’s Make America Healthy Again report delivered stark warnings about American youth fitness levels. Research shows more than 70% of children aged 6-17 cannot meet minimum daily activity guidelines, while 85% of teenagers fall short of recommended movement targets.
These statistics place American children’s outdoor activity below levels recorded in maximum-security facilities, according to data presented during White House discussions. The comparison underscores how normalized sedentary behaviors have become across American communities.
Geisler, CEO of boutique fitness company Sequel Brands, joined health innovators and policymakers to address these declining trends. His participation signals growing recognition that physical movement deserves equal consideration alongside traditional medical interventions in public health strategy.
“Physical movement isn’t optional anymore,” Geisler said following the discussions. “It’s essential to the nation’s health.”
The fitness executive has spent recent months building relationships with key health officials, including conversations with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz. His advocacy focuses on integrating movement-based solutions into broader wellness initiatives.
Geisler’s industry background includes founding Xponential Fitness, which he built into a global franchisor encompassing brands like Club Pilates and StretchLab. His current venture, Sequel Brands, operates four wellness concepts focused on performance optimization and recovery.
During his Washington visit, Geisler participated in media interviews highlighting the fitness industry’s capacity to reverse inactivity trends. He emphasized successful models from communities with exceptional longevity, where daily physical activity forms the foundation of cultural practices.
“The fitness industry has a real role in making movement simple, accessible and part of everyday life,” Geisler noted. “That’s the only way we change the game.”
The entrepreneur expects continued collaboration between fitness leaders and federal policymakers as officials seek comprehensive approaches to America’s health challenges. His upcoming appearance at the Athletech Innovation Summit will provide additional platforms for advancing these policy discussions.