Photo By Staff Sgt. Felix Mena | A panel of H2F professionals participate in a lively Q and A session during the 3rd...... read more read more
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The 2024 Holistic Health and Fitness Summit convened at the University of Texas at El Paso from May 14-15.
The event, hosted by the 1st Armored Division, brought together military leaders, industry experts, H2F professionals and fitness coaches to explore effective solutions within the H2F system.
The 1st AD Deputy Commanding General – Operations Brig. Gen. Alric Francis opened the summit delivering remarks that emphasized the importance of leaders in modeling the principles of H2F and integrating them into the Army’s fitness culture.
"The H2F summit helps foster a community of 1st Armored Division leaders and our H2F professionals. When you put people together, they start to work together. Secondly, it allows us to connect with the experts,” said Francis. “The Army is built on values and a philosophy that says we train people first. Junior leaders need to know that they are empowered to utilize tools such as H2F to help improve the readiness of their respective units.”
The H2F program represents a transformative approach to Soldier readiness. It encompasses five interconnected domains: mental, spiritual, physical, nutritional, and sleep. By addressing physical and non-physical aspects of performance, H2F aims to optimize individual readiness while preventing injuries and enhancing overall well-being. It empowers Soldiers to take charge of their health and fitness, ultimately contributing to the total Army’s preparedness for future challenges. Since its inception, H2F has become a cornerstone of the Army’s commitment to holistic resilience and peak performance.
The two-day summit featured several outstanding keynote speakers, including UTEP’s new head football coach, Scotty Walden.
Walden delivered an inspiring address that resonated with attendees. He introduced them to his “Win the West” Miner Culture Pyramid—a framework that embodies his leadership philosophy. Walden’s passionate speech encouraged attendees to embrace these principles, fostering a culture of excellence and unwavering commitment to their mission. His message left a lasting impact, motivating attendees to embody the Miner “Win the West” spirit both on and off the field.
“We are so excited about the partnership we have with the 1st Armored Division,” said Walden. “I want our football team to see how hard your physical fitness workouts are and what Soldiers go through because I want our players to have perspective.”
Chaplain (Col.) Kevin Wainwright, the Fort Bliss senior command chaplain, also served as a keynote speaker. During his address, he emphasized the critical role of spirituality in enhancing overall Soldier readiness and fitness, aligning it with the principles of the H2F Program. His insights underscored the holistic approach necessary for maintaining optimal physical and mental well-being among service members.
In addition to informative lectures and motivational presentations, attendees actively engaged in breakout sessions. These sessions paired Soldiers with H2F professionals and fitness coaches, fostering communication and facilitating the implementation of H2F programs.
The symposium also showcased an industry partner exhibit hall, where companies specializing in human performance optimization shared cutting-edge solutions. The goal being to generate lethal Soldiers who are physically, mentally, and spiritually ready to engage with and overmatch the enemy in multi-domain operations.
One of the key objectives of the H2F program is the seamless integration of program concepts into regular fitness schedules within Army units. By incorporating H2F principles into routine physical training, leaders can enhance the overall well-being, resilience, and readiness in their formations. This integration ensures that fitness activities align with holistic health goals, promoting optimal performance and longevity in service.
“Integration of H2F is key moving forward, we’re going to emphasize integrating the coaches and facilitators into our training meetings in order to deconflict schedules and maximize participation,” said Capt. Lincoln Connell, commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 70th Armored Regiment. “With H2F, we’ve seen an improvement in our Army Combat Fitness Test scores but the biggest thing we’re seeing is a significant reduction in injuries.”
The 2024 H2F Summit at UTEP continues to underscore the division’s commitment to holistic health and fitness. By fostering collaboration and innovation, this event ensures that our Soldiers remain mission-ready and resilient in an ever-evolving operational landscape.
| Date Taken: | 05.14.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 05.21.2024 15:11 |
| Story ID: | 471881 |
| Location: | EL PASO, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 24 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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