Arizona launched a statewide youth fitness challenge on Thursday aimed at encouraging children to stay active and healthy throughout the summer. State Representative Teresa Martinez, a Republican from Casa Grande, joined forces with former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson to announce the initiative in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club.
Tyson, who has openly discussed how boxing transformed his life, emphasized the importance of exercise for overall well-being. “Working out is a form of medicine. It’s soothing. It helps you psychologically, physically, spiritually and so you have to keep moving if you want to live. That’s what life’s about, the perpetual movement,” he said.
The fitness challenge runs from Thursday through July 1, involving club members across Arizona in daily physical activities. Youth participants will track their progress at local Boys & Girls Club locations through a series of simple exercises designed to promote regular movement.
Tyson shared how consistent training helped him become a world champion. “I became champ of the world. It was just repetition. Every day, every day, every day, every day. I think the more we work out, the better we become,” he said.
Rep. Martinez highlighted the importance of the challenge for Arizona’s youth. “Arizona kids deserve every chance to grow up strong, confident, and healthy—and that starts with movement,” she said. “Being healthy doesn’t have to be complicated—it just takes a little effort every day. This challenge is a fun way for kids to build good habits, stay connected, and see that their leaders are rooting for them.”
The challenge also resonated with Jose “Junior” Beltran, who grew up at the Boys & Girls Club and credits exercise for changing his life. After a cancer diagnosis, Beltran said he realized he needed to take control of his health. “I knew then I had to take control of my life, and I knew that my diet, my habits, were all bad. And so I decided to change my life,” he said.
Beltran found inspiration in Tyson’s mentality, which he says helped him overcome his struggles. “Mentality, it can shift anything. You could be strong, you could be fit, but without confidence, you can’t really show that as much as you can compared to when you have it,” Beltran said.
Now cancer-free, Beltran hopes to motivate the children he works with at the Boys & Girls Club. “I’m hoping that they take action a little bit on their habits,” he said.
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