Changing the World's Exercise Habits:
A History of Dr. Kenneth Cooper's Fitness Missionaries
Bios
Dr. Kenneth Cooper's Bio
Our founder and colleague Kenneth H. Cooper, MD, MPH, turned 90, on March 4, 2021.
Known as the "father of aerobics," Dr. Cooper dedicated his 64-year medical career to investigating the links between cardiorespiratory fitness, good health and longevity. He helped millions improve the quality and quantity of people’s lives.
When Dr. Cooper published his first bestseller, Aerobics, in 1968, he not only introduced a new word to our vocabulary but also a new concept to the world—exercise or working out as we call it today. Dr. Cooper is recognized as the leader of the international physical fitness movement and credited with motivating more people to exercise in pursuit of good health than any other person.
Dr. Tom Collingwood's Bio
Tom Collingwood Ph.D. is a nationally recognized leader in the field of physical fitness and outdoor education. He holds degrees in both exercise science and psychology. He developed the Continuing Education Division of the Cooper Institute and has trained thousands of fitness leaders worldwide especially from police and military organizations. He has law enforcement and military experience as a Military Policeman and paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division, a police psychologist with the Dallas Police Department, and the training director for the Kentucky Justice Department. He is also a past YMCA director, and has held academic positions at two universities.
Over the years, Tom has implemented many exercise and outdoor education/camping programs for inner city at-risk youth. He was a primary fitness consultant for the Presidents Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, The International Association of Chiefs of Police, and with the U.S. Army. He instituted outdoor education programs as a Master Naturalist with Texas Parks and Wildlife, as a volunteer Ranger at Rocky Mountain National Park, and as a hike master for the YMCA of the Rockies. He also provides programs linking stewardship of nature and stewardship of the body (fitness) from a faith perspective for CREATIO, an apostolate of the Christian Life Movement.
He is the recipient of the Healthy American Fitness Leader award as one of the ten outstanding physical fitness leaders in the nation. He has authored ten books and over 100 publications in the field. He is married with two kids and five grandkids.
Roger Reynold's Bio
Roger D. Reynolds, M.A. was born in 1940 in London, Ohio. He attended Bowling Green State University on an athletic scholarship, earning a BS in health and physical education. Following college, Roger played in the NFL with the New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons and Cincinnati Bengals. His NFL career was interrupted for his service as an Army infantry officer. After retiring from football, he continued his education at Western Michigan University, graduating with an MA in health and physical education. He then began teaching and coaching at the elementary, middle school, high school, and university levels, with an emphasis on fitness, health, and wellness.
His 45-year career included corporate, law enforcement, military, clinical, educational medical, and various personal trainer national certifications, as well as working at the world renowned Cooper Institute. Roger is a highly-requested national speaker. He has presented lectures, workshops, seminars, and keynote addresses to over 2,000 audiences throughout the U.S. and abroad. He is a member of the High School and College Athletic Hall Of Fame, and is the recipient of numerous awards, including the President’s Council on Physical Fitness, United States Secret Service Training Award, New York State Teachers Outstanding Service Award, the Texas Tactical Police Officers Association, the Michigan area Chamber of Commerce man of the year, the U.S. Customs Training Award, the U.S. Army Outstanding Training And Service Award, and has received the distinguished Dr. Richard Bohannon award as the outstanding employee at the Cooper Institute.
Roger has published both local, state, and national news articles related to physical fitness and wellness. He has co-authored national research publications, and has appeared on local, state, and national news media outlets. He is married and the father of four children and six grandchildren.
Dr. John Poteet's Bio
John Poteet, Ed.D. is an educator with 49 years of teaching experience. He was born in 1929 in West, Texas, and attended Baylor University where he earned both a BS and MS in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (HPER). His education was interrupted for nearly four years while he served in the U.S. Coast Guard. After receiving his MS, he worked as an instructor in the HPER Department at Baylor, after which he accepted a position as the coordinator of physical education, PE teacher, and swim coach in the San Angelo Independent School District in Texas. He then joined the faculty in the HPER Department at the University of Texas at El Paso.
He has received the Honor Award for exemplary service from the Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, and has served as president of the Association. In 1977 he received his Ed.D. degree in Exercise Physiology and Educational Psychology from the University of North Texas in Denton. In 1982 he became Associate Director of Continuing Education at The Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research during which time he trained hundreds of fitness leaders throughout the United States before retiring in 2004.
At the age of 92, John is still teaching by example as he continues to participate in a program of sensible, purposeful physical activity designed to enhance longevity, functionality, general health, and joy.