Meet a Health Hero: Andrew Meinster

» You can vote for Andrew here September 27th through October 3rd. Mark your calendar! 

Name: Andrew Meinster

Role: Founder and trainer at Trap Star Fitness

Who or what motivates you to be healthy?
What motivates me is the person out there struggling with addiction, as I once did for five years. I wake up every morning and I strive to be an example for those who need to see how a person can change his or her life through unyielding commitment to be better and to be healthier.

Describe a health or fitness-related turning point in your life.
January 25, 2013. I celebrated my 24th birthday, but also made a choice to live a new life that was free from drug addiction. After running from my problems for five years, coming off a week’s binge, seeing my family torn apart day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year, I finally surrendered after crying in bed for several hours. I got out of bed and told my parents “I’m done.” I knew it would be hard for them to believe me because those words came out of my mouth many times before. It was up to me to prove to them, by taking action, that I was forever done with drugs. So after a few days of being clean, despite the withdrawal symptoms, I walked through the doors of LA Fitness … and soon enough, I discovered fitness to be my new addiction.

What policy would you institute to make Greater Philadelphia a healthier region?
Schools should enhance their drug education. We should give students the opportunity to be a live audience to addicts in recovery that have been through the worst but are now living their best. In a way, I think we can all agree that our youth is growing up too quickly with the advancement of our society, and we expect them to make the right choice. What we forget is that they are still so young, and we need to hold ourselves responsible in providing the educational foundation for them to make a sound decision. It would be extremely impactful for students to hear from an experienced source how drugs can rule you. Let’s give them honesty they need to hear through role models of positive change.

I also believe that recovery centers should be required to implement fitness and nutrition regimens for anyone going through the recovery process. There is a dire need for these individuals to completely change their lifestyle, and what better way to start than through becoming a healthier being?

What’s the most important part of your health or fitness regimen?
A positive mindset! You can push yourself so much more by being optimistic. Every morning I wake up and create a positive affirmation for that day. This helps me stay focused on taking life one day at a time. Routine is also a major key to my regimen. I block out 90 minutes per day for my own physical exercise. I treat my workouts like a business meeting that I have scheduled with myself, and I never cancel on me.

What is your number one piece of health-related advice or encouragement?
Make YOU a priority and trust the process. You cannot use the excuse, “I don’t have time to exercise.” Your health is your wealth, and you need to invest in it by being proactive instead of reactive. Lastly, embrace your story because it will help you in your own journey. Do not be afraid to admit who you were, or who you still are. Own it and keep your chin up. It gets better!

Like what you’re reading? Stay in touch with Be Well Philly—here’s how:

• Like Be Well Philly on Facebook
• Follow Be Well Philly on Twitter
• Follow Be Well Philly on Pinterest
• Get the Be Well Philly Newsletter