Responding to a Crisis.

Movement is the Medicine is our awareness campaign designed to promote the health benefits of physical activity, exercise, and sports participation as the answer to our adolescent mental health crisis. Kids are experiencing a lack of social connections, low self-confidence, poverty, isolation, anxiety, depression, food insecurity, housing instability, lack of access to quality equipment, and challenges at home. For children to succeed and reach their full potential, all aspects of their development must be given attention.​

​Movement is the Medicine is our investment in programming that targets parents, teachers, and coaches. We provide training on the link between physical activity, exercise, and sports participation to adolescent well-being, improvement in mental health, and teenage suicide prevention.

Holistic approaches to child development and learning recognize the connectedness of mind, body, and spirit. When primary caregivers adopt this philosophy, they pay attention to children's physical, personal, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being. 

​“PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IS 1½ TIMES MORE EFFECTIVE THAN THERAPY OR MEDICATION IN IMPROVING DEPRESSION AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE"

- BRITISH JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE -

Movement is the Medicine Impact

• National Youth Sports Strategy Champion since 2021
• Recognized as a 2023 Aspen Institute Project Play Champion.
• Co-lead of the Sports Sector of the Kansas City Physical Activity Plan since 2021.
• Partnered with Health and Human Services to produce a 90-minute virtual symposium on the scientific benefits of physical activity on the adolescent brain with over 120 live and 400+ post-event views.
• In 2020, produced a “Movement is the Medicine” 5K with over 250 runners.
• In 2022, we produced a 3-hour mental health radio show called "Change Powered by Sports" broadcast on Sports Talk Radio 801WHB.
• Produced three 1-hour podcasts featuring youth mental health experts discussing the positive mental health benefits of participating in sports.

OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Animal Movements

A Temple-Made-Fitness program targeting elementary-aged children through schools, community centers, and other non-profit organizations. Show kids how quality movement and proper food choices are keys to a healthy lifestyle!

The Invisible Riptide

Timely and practical information and actionable strategies to help kids learn how to normalize, understand, and face their “new normal."  Books and resources to help adolescents and families learn to navigate the post-COVID world.

​4D Athletes

Teaches essential life-skills such as confidence, leadership, gratitude, goal setting, etc. Targeting parents and coaches with resources and guidance so kids get the most out of the youth sports experience.