Michael Lydiate is happy to announce that even though he is no longer specifically a health teacher, he remains committed to teaching others about health and wellness.
A former coach and health instructor in the Muscogee County School District, Michael Lydiate spent the first part of his career teaching middle and high school students about health, training new health instructors, and creating health curricula for the district. Today, Michael Lydiate works with adults as a professor of Exercise Studies and Sports Fitness Management at the University of Phoenix and Troy University.
“In some ways, teaching adults about health and fitness can be even more of a challenge than teaching young kids,” remarked Michael Lydiate on the change in his audience. “But it’s just as important. People in college, whether they’re just out of high school or adults coming back to earn a degree, often have a hard time balancing fitness with their other tasks of school, work, and family life. That’s where I come in.”
As an adjunct professor, Michael Lydiate makes sure to always include a module in his introductory classes about personal fitness, and the importance of setting aside time each week for exercise. In addition, Michael Lydiate talks to his adult students about setting nutrition goals, and eating healthfully as part of an overall lifestyle, not as part of a diet.
“Often, adults were never taught these kinds of things - how to set fitness goals, how to achieve them,” said Michael Lydiate. “We should definitely be targeting children with this sort of information, so that they can grow up healthy and stop health issues before they start. But adults are just as at risk, and many are already struggling with managing their health.”
Michael Lydiate has significant experience in teaching individuals about health. He has a background in developing athletic programs for students, has lead teacher trainings on CPR and first aid, and has lead success workshops for coaches.
“I’m excited to continue this work with another population,” commented Michael Lydiate. “College professors aren’t normally looked at as people giving health advice, but I really do hope that I can make a positive impression on my students, and help them live healthier lives.