About AFH Fit
Our AFH Fit program was created to address the critical issue of childhood obesity1 by connecting our powerful network of college, professional, Olympic and Paralympic athletes to schools, after-school programs, and running clubs to empower them to become more physically active.
Inspired by our iconic Founder Muhammad Ali, we designed the C.H.A.M.P.S. Leadership Curriculum for athletes, coaches, and teachers interested in sport-based character development and learning. Rooted in research and 21st century skill-building, our six core pillars are designed to promote social and emotional intelligence while inspiring youth to lead in sport, in the classroom, and in their communities.
How it Works
The C.H.A.M.P.S Leadership Curriculum contains 12 high-energy lessons designed to improve physical activity and teach critical life skills to elementary age children, grades 3-5. Each lesson is one hour in length, occurring monthly from October to April with a break in December. Schools, after-school programs and youth running clubs can participate in the AFH Fit Program in one of two ways (or a combination of the two):
- Work with us to schedule in-person or virtual visits with a collegiate, professional, Olympic or Paralympic athlete in your area who will lead the program for students and/or youth players.
- Leverage our pre-recorded library of AFH Fit videos, led by collegiate, professional, Olympic and Paralympic athletes in your classroom or with your players. We will also provide supplementary materials to help guide each exercise.
All interested educators, coaches or youth program leaders should submit a contact form and one of our team members will be in touch.
C.H.A.M.P.S. Leadership Curriculum
Through physical activity, sport-based lessons and activities, students are taught the 6 core pillars throughout the school year. By clicking the 
, you can see example videos on our YouTube channel.
COURAGE
In the October lesson, students work on facing their fears, standing up for themselves and others, and doing what’s right when no one is watching.
HONESTY
In November, students learn the value of being honest with their words, their time and their actions. It also teaches the importance of honesty as a key concept in leadership.
ACCOUNTABILITY
In January, students learn the value of personal responsibility and how to own their attitude, body language, reactions and behaviors.
MINDFULNESS
In February, students develop their emotional muscles, focusing on gratitude, empathy and inclusion as key ingredients to great leadership.
PERSEVERANCE
In March, students work on overcoming adversity, developing resilience and mastering a challenge in order to become stronger, more determined leaders.
SPORTSMANSHIP
In April, students learn about the value of teamwork, how to solve disputes and the importance of fair play.
Program Impact & COVID-19 Adjustments
Over the last 5 years, the AFH Fit program has steadily expanded its reach and impact nationally, as we continue to work with over 800 teachers, positively impacting more than 150,000 children around the U.S. in 2019-20. Based on a 2020 end-of-year survey, we saw that:
of the schools rated the visits as good or excellent.
of the schools rated their students’ activity level at active or very active.
In the spring of 2019, AFH piloted the AFH Fit Virtual program with AFH athletes and 55 schools around the country, reaching over 15,000 children. In the spring of 2020 when COVID-19 moved many students to virtual learning, the AFH Fit Virtual program was positioned well to continue providing fitness education and inspiration to children across the country. Over 200 professional, Olympic, Paralympic and collegiate athletes filmed videos demonstrating their favorite physical fitness activities to do at home without equipment with the purpose of inspiring underserved children and families to stay active. The AFH Fit school visits were also adapted to virtually deliver the C.H.A.M.P.S. Leadership program resulting in 120 visits to nearly 300,000 students in the United States.
AFH Fit Partners
- State of Childhood Obesity, accessed in 2021.