Michael Torchia, founder of Operation Fitness, will be launching his Shape Up America Campaign 30-city tour with a free Health and Fitness Event at Pershing Square Park in Downtown Los Angeles on March 14th, 2010. Â
Sinbad will act as Master of Ceremonies for the Awards portion of the event honoring Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (Health Advocate Lifetime Achievement Award), Cesar Millan (Animal Health Advocate Achievement Award), Mayor Villaraigosa and Councilwoman Jan Perry.Â
There will be 2 rare pieces of equipment from the historical Muscle Beach that has been signed by the legends of bodybuilding on display at the Award Ceremony, which will go up for auction immediately after the event. In honor of “Health and Fitness Week,” the ebay auction will start at the conclusion of the March 14th event and will last the duration of Health and Fitness week. The proceeds will be donated to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s After-School All-Stars Organization and Mayor Villaraigosa’s Angel City Gladiator Program.
Â
In addition to The Biggest Loser hosting an open call for Season 10 of NBC’s hit show, this monumental event will also offer free health screenings, fitness demonstrations for children and adults, nutrition lectures, healthy cooking tips/food preparation, athletic competitions, obstacle course challenges, boxing classes and martial arts demonstrations, Pilates and yoga classes, chair and table massages and pet health seminars. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) will be setting up a flight simulator for the kids to use at the event and Craig Fuller, CEO/President of the AOPA is creating a teen entrepreneurship pilot program, so kids can learn to become pilots at an early age.Â
The Shape Up America Campaign was created to help adults, children and even pets get healthy for their own benefit and for the lasting benefits that will strengthen the entire nation for generations to come.  The campaign targets all segments of our communities, including schools, city government, civic organizations, community groups, businesses, and other people who live, work and play in America. The goal is to show people how they can create fun, simple ways of working out, along with participating in stimulating activities at home, at the office, in a park or even in the wilderness.  In the tour cities there will be free fitness events offering health screenings, fitness demonstrations for children and adults, nutrition lectures, healthy cooking tips/food preparation, athletic competitions, obstacle course challenges, boxing classes and martial arts demonstrations, Pilates and yoga classes, chair and table massages, pet health seminars, pet fitness demonstrations and dog obedience training.  The Shape Up America Campaign fitness events are held outside in parks that are centrally located in highly populated communities and are easily accessible for adults, children and their pets. Â
Â
Special guest appearances include:Â Bill Germanakos, the season four winner of the “The Biggest Loser” (lecturing), Ronnie Coleman (8-time Mr. Olympia), Sebastian Siegel (Actor/Athlete/Artist), Michael O’Hearn (American Gladiator), Patricia Pease (Days of Our Lives), “Shorty” (Pit Boss/Animal Planet), Lauren Mayhew (Recording artist, WWE), Renowned Doctors, Fitness Experts, Holistic Practitioners, Pro Athletes, Bodybuilding Champions, and celebrities from the entertainment industry.
Â
Health organizations who have already joined forces for the Shape Up America 30 City Tour include: The American Diabetes Association, The Alzheimer’s Association, The National Fibromyalgia Association, The Liver Foundation, The American Red Cross, The National MS Society, The American Heart Association, The American Cancer Society, Generation Rescue and The P.S. I Love You Foundation.Â
Â
For additional information on Shape Up America, Operation Fitness or the event launching in Los Angeles, please call 800.933.8633 or visit www.operationfitness.com
Â