Septuagenarian CrossFit coach Mike Suhadolnik had an idea to challenge doctors to set a better example for their patients and communities.
Suhadolnik started a program called Doctors Get Fit at CrossFit Instinct in Springfield, Illinois, and he contacted Dr. Craig Backs. The coach asked the doctor for 90 days, and Backs was up for the task.
“I might as well have been sitting there with a cigarette and a glass of whiskey telling (people) to quit smoking and drinking,” Backs says.
In three months, the doctor lost 40 lb. And he changed the way he practices medicine.
Our current health-care and health-insurance systems are ineffective, he says, suggesting they should be called “Sick Care” and “Sickness Insurance.”
Backs and Suhadolnik believe CrossFit encourages people to focus on health and wellness before they get sick.
“It’s starting to dawn on people that our system currently isn’t about health; it’s about taking care of sickness,” Backs says.
Originally published – Jan. 2017.
Comments on Dr. Backs to the Future: Changing Healthcare
I agree!
As an “older” Crossfit certified trainer, myself , spreading the word for the last 15 years, it’s great to see Mike ! Even though I know he does not know me, I started in Crossfit many years ago when his daughter Molly started, probably, the first Crossfit gym in Springfield Illinois. Molly and Tim changed my life for the better. I also believe most doctors and health care professionals, are completely missing the mark when just handing out pills instead of getting to the root of high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. Congratulations to Mike and the doctor for a successful outcome.
These are exactly the points which we would like to bring into the health-related scientific community within the special issue "Health Impact and Physiology Changes of CrossFit" at the journal Life (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/life/special_issues/crossfit, submission deadline 2021-11-15).
I applaud Dr Backs for keeping an open mind and accepting coach Suhadolnicks challenge to see what those who partake in functional fitness already know - that it’s very difficult to be well if the fitness aspect is lacking.
As a cardiologist, integrative physician and L-1 certified CrossFit coach myself , I encourage all patients to partake in CrossFit. Those that have listened - are off medications , live better and feel better and when they follow up with me in the office - talk about how strong they are getting or which WOD they did they did that day,
Thank you coach for your passion.
This is all truth!!!
Dr. Backs to the Future: Changing Healthcare
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