Move More, Live Healthier Lives: Special Olympics Health Messengers and Coaches Inspiring Their Communities to Get Moving

Fitness is a key aspect of Special Olympics’ mission. Special Olympics Fitness comprises three components that focus on healthy lifestyle behaviors: physical activity, nutrition, and hydration. When Special Olympics athletes practice regular physical activity, eat healthy, and stay hydrated, they improve their health, confidence, and quality of life.

According to Special Olympics Fitness 2024 Annual Report, 74% of athletes report improved confidence in doing physical activity after participating in Special Olympics fitness programming. This focus on fitness extends beyond individual athletes and into entire communities. Across the globe, Special Olympics Athlete Leaders and coaches are inspiring others to be more active daily. They are dedicated to making fitness more inclusive, leading education and fitness activities, and empowering their fellow athletes, family members, and other supporters of the Special Olympics movement to live healthy lifestyles.

This emphasis on movement is celebrated globally on World Day for Physical Activity, observed annually on 6 April, which promotes physical activity and encourages people of all abilities to move more every day. This World Day for Physical Activity, we’re highlighting Athlete Leaders and a coach who have taken on a variety of leadership roles to empower athletes to stay active year-round. Get to know them below!

Ayoub Deboub is an athlete, football and Special Olympics Young Athletes coach, Certified Personal Trainer, Special Olympics International Fitness Advisory Committee member, and advocate for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). He is passionate about making fitness inclusive for everyone.

Having grown up with a disability and gone through multiple surgeries, Ayoub understands first-hand the challenges and barriers people with IDD face when it comes to physical activity. These experiences have shaped his belief that sport isn’t just about winning; it’s about building skills, confidence, and empowering every athlete to reach their full potential.

Reflecting on these experiences, Ayoub said, “Throughout the years, I’ve worked in schools and centres to create opportunities for people of all abilities. I hosted a fitness workshop for the Eastern Region in Special Olympics Ireland, focusing on breaking barriers for physical activity by introducing simple, adapted, and enjoyable exercises. There were team-building exercises and stations with different workouts for the athletes. The energy and engagement throughout the session were incredible, with many stepping outside their comfort zones.

By the end, participants felt more empowered and motivated to stay active in their daily lives. I believe the workshop made a real impact by showing that disability should never be a limitation to leading an active and healthy lifestyle.”

To Ayoub, fitness means empowerment, inclusion, and personal growth.

Krystal Johnson has been an athlete with Special Olympics Southern California for 25 years. She is a multi-sport athlete competing in tennis, floorball, bowling, and athletics. As a Fitness Captain, Krystal supports her teammates in maintaining their health on and off the field. Fitness Captains are athletes on a sports team who lead the team in activities related to fitness and a healthy lifestyle. Krystal uses her leadership and communication skills to empower athletes to be healthy and fit.

When asked about why she wanted to become a Fitness Captain, Krystal shared, “I enjoy being a Fitness Captain leading warmups and cooldowns with my fellow teammates. I want to help us all get ready for a good day at practice. I want to help promote fitness to my teammates by being an example. They see me working with the coaches and this is something that they can learn to become part of.”

Banele Makhonco is a Special Olympics South Africa athlete, coach, and Athlete Input Council member based in the Eastern Cape Province. He has become a true champion in health and fitness.

For Banele, fitness goes beyond staying healthy; it’s become a way for him to connect with others in his community. In addition to leading boot camp fitness activities in his community, Banele also runs inclusive training sessions for people of all abilities, helping each person reach their true potential.

Banele explained, “I help others with routines, training strategies, and training plans. I also assist other colleagues and the local gym. Most importantly, I support my former school with fitness sessions and assist selected athletes when they go to Provincial or National Games.”

Banele is also passionate about teaching others about the importance of nutrition, and that to be a great athlete, you must be a healthy athlete. His hope this World Day for Physical Activity is that everyone can “understand that health and fitness is a way of life. It is important to keep fit and live healthy because you can live a longer life without suffering from petty illnesses."

Susan David has been a Special Olympics Namibia coach for 27 years. Her journey into fitness and health was shaped not only by her passion, but by the athletes she coached.

When Susan first started fitness training, she shared that she “was simply a coach who gave instructions to athletes. I guided them on what to do, but I was not fully practicing what I was teaching. Over time, the athletes began to influence me in a powerful way. Their dedication and energy rubbed off on me, and I became more interested in fitness myself.”

Susan found herself inspired by the dedication and energy of the athletes, which led her to follow what she loved.

“I started doing what I preached,” Susan shared. “One athlete who lives close to my house, a [Special Olympics] Health Messenger, played a big role in my journey. He would remind me about my running schedule and encourage me to stay consistent.Today, I love running and continuously work towards improving my fitness.”

Today, Susan continues to lead fitness sessions with the support of Fitness Captains and Health Messengers in schools and communities.

Kayla Cornell is a Health Messenger, athlete, and serves on the Special Olympics Fitness Team’s Athlete App Advisory Committee. One way Kayla motivates her fellow athletes and herself to stay active is by using the Special Olympics Fitness App.

The Special Olympics Fitness App is a free, inclusive fitness tool designed to help athletes with IDD stay active, build healthy habits, and feel empowered in their wellness journey. The app features fun challenges and helps you track your workouts, nutrition, sleep, and mental wellness.

When asked about her favorite features of the app, Kayla mentioned: “What really sets the experience apart for me is the resource section. I use a ton of the resources available there to stay informed and keep my routine fresh. Whether it’s looking up new exercise techniques or following health tips, having all that information in one place makes staying healthy feel much more manageable.”

The app also provides healthy tips to stay motivated and lets users share their progress with friends. “We talk a lot about how the app makes fitness fun and less stressful, and by working together from different places, we can show others that you don't have to be in the same room to stay active,” Kayla added.

These stories remind us of the importance of being active year-round, and how this can promote well-being among athletes, families, and community members.

Interested in learning more? Download the free Special Olympics Fitness App on the Apple or Google Play stores. The app features health behavior tracking, goal setting, fitness challenges, and resources, including being able to do Fit 5 exercise videos right from your phone!