Meet a Health Hero: Dr. Naomi Johnson-Booker
Dr. Naomi Johnson Booker
» You can vote for Dr. Johnson-Booker here September 15th through 21st. Mark your calendar!
Name: Dr. Naomi Johnson-Booker
Role: CEO at the Global Leadership Academy Charter School, where she started the Get Healthy GLA program to help staff and students live healthier lifestyles.
Who or what motivates you to be healthy?
As an educator and mother, I have committed myself to creating and developing healthy lifestyles in the lives of children. My scholars and children motivate me so that I can model a healthy lifestyle for them.
Describe a health or fitness related turning point in your life.
Six years ago in 2009, I suffered a life-threatening aneurysm. When I returned to school five months later, I was even more committed to the health and wellness of GLA’s 700 scholars, parents and staff. The “Get Healthy GLA” campaign launched in 2012 creating a more comprehensive program on health, wellness and fitness. A fitness room was created for the staff and staff and scholars created student-grown gardens, organized field trips to farms and markets, established wellness councils, and adopted Meatless Mondays and Fitness Fridays.
What “policy” would you institute to make Greater Philadelphia a healthier region?
Nutrition, fitness and wellness policies or programs should be ingrained in the schools and job locations in Philadelphia. Wellness councils should be established at these locations to support programs that create a healthy Philadelphia.
What’s the most important part of your health or fitness regimen?
As a CEO, I have a busy life. I have integrated my Fitbit and My Fitness Pal management system into my daily routine. Because of it, I am able to monitor my calorie, fat, and water intake as well as my daily steps.
What is your number one piece of health related advice/encouragement?
You are what you eat. Eat properly, drink water and walk over 8,000 to 10,000 steps daily.
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