Optimizing Fitness and Health: Dr. John Reinhardt’s Practical Advice

The Importance of Leading by Example in Fitness

When seeking advice in various professions, it’s only natural to expect the advisor to practice what they preach. For example, wouldn’t you be more likely to trust a dietitian who maintains a healthy weight or a personal trainer who clearly maintains their own physical fitness? This principle is nowhere more relevant than in the healthcare industry.

Take Dr. John Reinhardt, for example. As a physician, he not only advises his patients to exercise and adopt a healthier lifestyle, but he also embodies this advice by maintaining his own fitness regime, which includes running regularly.

The Journey of Dr. John Reinhardt

Dr. Reinhardt’s journey towards becoming a fitness enthusiast started in his childhood when his family moved to Esopus, New York. He grew up alongside a Catholic seminary, Mount of Saint Alphonsus, which had splendid grounds filled with sports facilities. Here, Reinhardt played a variety of sports such as baseball, football, wrestling, and ice hockey, setting the foundation for his life-long commitment to physical fitness.

After college, Reinhardt enlisted in the military and became a Russian linguist. During his military service, he began running regularly to stay in shape and continued this routine even after being discharged. He later went to Shepherd University in West Virginia, where he played soccer and tennis. He also took the opportunity to coach soccer while attending medical school.

Staying Fit and Coaching

Upon moving to Altoona in 1992 to complete his residency, Reinhardt continued his passion for coaching soccer. By the late 1990s, he started coaching ice hockey, a sport he had played in his childhood.

While running had always been his primary method of staying fit, he decided to incorporate strength training into his fitness routine a decade ago. Reinhardt shared, “The revelation for me at age 55 was going to the gym to be physically strong. I’ve had a trainer for the past ten years, and it’s made a huge difference for me.”

Angela Ross, owner of Gorilla House, is now Reinhardt’s personal trainer. She designs routines that focus on Reinhardt’s strength since he maintains his cardio through running. Ross highly regards Reinhardt’s dedication and determination, describing him as a “superstar” who is eager to train and constantly pursue goals.

The Pillars of Health

Dr. Reinhardt has identified four pillars of health that he emphasizes to his patients: sleep, exercise, diet, and purpose.

Firstly, he discusses the importance of getting enough sleep, noting a downtrend in the number of hours adults sleep on average. Secondly, exercise is a key pillar of health, with Reinhardt recommending 45 minutes of movement per day. Thirdly, he stresses the significance of a healthy diet to counter the negative effects of processed food consumption. Lastly, he emphasizes finding a purpose in life that encourages cognitive and physical excellence.

In his own words, “If I wasn’t an expert taking care of myself, I would be unqualified to take care of any patients.”

Unstoppable Fitness Enthusiast

Despite the challenges of knee replacements and a demanding professional life, Dr. Reinhardt remains an unstoppable fitness enthusiast. He has participated in long distance races and plans to run a 50k (31.06 miles) with his son this fall.

Dr. Reinhardt’s story is an inspiring testament to the idea of leading by example. He truly embodies the principle of practicing what he preaches, making him a reliable and credible source of advice for his patients. For more inspirational stories like Dr. Reinhardt’s, tune in to George Thomas Kattouf’s YouTube channel AgelessTimeless where he shares fitness tips and success stories.

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If you or someone you know in Blair County is age 50 or older and would be a good candidate for the Fitness Track, email Kattouf at george@agelesstimeless.com.

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