By Kaelyn Smith
EPIC Charter Schools
The July event for Mayor Breea Clark’s Move with the Mayor Initiative will be a walk around the OU campus with Clark from 7-9 a.m. July 24.
Clark started the program in February to promote physical and mental health and well-being throughout the Norman community.
Clark said she was inspired for the initiative by her experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the availability of recreational spaces around Norman.
“We also had several facilities, like sports facilities open and parks open that were paid for by taxpayer dollars,” said Clark, who works at OU as director of the J.C. Penney Leadership Program at the Price College of Business.
. “So it was a fun way to get people outside, get them moving, thinking about their health, but also enjoying the facilities in our community, they help pay for.”
She said that exercise helped her mental health even more than her physical health. Her favorite ways to be active is running, strength training and her personal favorite, pilates.
The Move with the Mayor Initiative is a national effort. Clark said Norman is proud to be the only city in Oklahoma participating in it.
There is something for everyone at these monthly events.
Events earlier this year included pickleball and swimming. July’s event is the walk around campus, and activities in future months include golfing at Westwood, running and tennis. Clark said she will add more events in the future.
The program has featured events for children and women’s self-defense classes as well.
Clark said she plans to continue to hold events throughout the year, and she encourages people to get out and take advantage of all Norman has to offer.
“I would urge every resident to get out and explore their communities,” she said. “Norman has over 60 city parks that I don’t think people realize that we have.”
If not moving with the mayor, there are other ways to stay active in the community.
Melinda Williams, assistant director at Sarkey’s Fitness Center at OU, offered tips on how to stay healthy and how to do it safely.
Williams said she believes that people should do something physically active that is fun for them.
When starting to work out, Williams also says that people need to do it safely.
“Go slow, go slow, and take your time,” she said. “Slowly progress if you’re starting an exercise program, and seek out the advice of a professional.”
Williams also recommended attending health-education classes and seeking out personal fitness instructors when starting a new health program.
On campus, Sarkey’s Fitness Center offers everything from personal fitness trainers to group fitness classes. It has tennis and basketball courts, a rock-climbing wall, a running track and a weight room.
Clark said she has seen the benefits of being active in the community through her Move with the Mayor events.
“It was really neat to observe that people were really proud that they were taking care of themselves,” she said. “The natural endorphins of exercising and then just connecting with other people. It’s been a wonderful experience so far.”
