I thought we were over this madness about decreasing recess in elementary schools--but apparently not. This episode digs into a recent school district in Kansas that decreased recess to focus more on STEM subjects "inside" the building. Why?!

Source: "10-minute recess? It's a reality for students at one Sedgwick County school this year" by Lindsay Smith (The Wichita Eagle; August 14, 2025)
Photo: Central Park Playground (1942)
*Music by Matt Bradford

Here's a nice story about a conversation I had with one of my 5th-grade boys about his ACTIVE 78 year old grandfather. Enjoy!

RJ's PE RULES:

1. PAY ATTENTION!
2. Be ACTIVE.
3. Know YOUR Body.

*Music by Matt Bradford

With all this hoopla on the reformation of the President's Council to help youth fitness, sports, etc., I decided to explore the original Executive Order 10673 signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956. I discovered a few good talking points.

Learn more about the Kraus-Weber Test for Postural Fitness 

*Music by Matt Bradford

Adding to yesterday's episode on the stupidity of the new "fitness challenge" by Pete and Bobby...what about the girls? 100 Push-Ups and 50 Pull-Ups for little girls too? It's insanity...AND, it's child abuse.

*Music by Matt Bradford
*Photo by Ron Jones

The new "Pete and Bobby Challenge" is completely out of line with what American youth can and should be doing in physical fitness. 50 Pull-Ups and 100 Push-Ups in less than ten minutes?!!! What are you thinking?!!! It's outright child abuse, and yes, I back this up in the show. Please listen and start rationally thinking about what needs to be done instead of listening to irrational propaganda like 150 reps of child abuse.
Reference Links:
"The Motivation Factor" Documentary Film
FM 21-20 Physical Training Manual, US Dept. of War (1946)

*Music courtesy of Matt Bradford

Wilding youth out of control. Anarchy and chaos. Just "Book 'em" all then throw away the keys while we put teens into prisons for adult crimes? While this can provide short-term solutions...consider the long road both to and away from 2025.
*Photo by Ron Jones

Many people do not have the capacity to appreciate nice things or things that matter. Are they forever lost? Throwaways? Here are some rambling thoughts with historical context.

*Photo Credit: "RJ and Vintage Discus" by Antje Anders

Some people seem to moan with every movement--even many "fitness" people? Why? How does this impact your mindset?

I had a little girl in PE yesterday who came into class in a very BAD mood...by the end of class she was smiling and laughing. Movement can really move your mood from bad to good.

This is the first week of school. I started my lessons with a short section on the "Dead Hang" which is just hanging still on a pull-up bar, but don't be fooled! There are MANY benefits to this simple gravity training exercise.

Here's one of my videos on how to get kids to play on bars: "Brachiation Bar Hang Play"