American Character: Tony Horton

By: Katheranne Reese

Tony Horton began as an average teenager. He was addicted to junk food and did not maintain a regular fitness regimen. He lived the normal all-American couch potato lifestyle. He characterized the typical bony teenage “weakling”. Having not only the average (unfortunate) American diet, but the American spirit as well, Tony dreamed of stardom. After graduating from the University of Rhode Island, Tony moved to L.A. to pursue his acting passion. Upon arriving in L.A., Tony found that fitness was an important asset in the business. His agent urged him get in shape (after all it pays to be fit). Tony joined the famous World Gym in Venice. He studied relentlessly, observing workout routines and nutrition plans of fitness icons such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno. Though his observations were vital to the expansion of his fitness knowledge, “bodybuilder” was not the look Tony sought. He had a sleeker, more athletic look in mind. He began exercising and eating right, pretty soon through a lot of research and hard work he achieved an amazing and healthy body. People around him noticed! His friends witnessed his spectacular transformation. They, of course, started asking questions. “How did he do it?” “How can I do that?” So was the beginning of Tony’s training career He escalated quickly, becoming a highly desired personal trainer - training stars such as Sean Connery, Shirley MacLaine, and Tom Petty. He rose in the ranks and was noticed by Carl Daikeler, a fitness advocate and CEO of Beachbody (a company that produces workout programs and supplements).

Now Tony is a big- time star trainer, living it up. But what was so miraculous about that? What about that makes him American Character? A dream. He began with a simple spark of a passion, which developed into something more. He has dedicated his life to help people, not in the common ways like working at a soup kitchen, but serving as an inspiration and motivation. Health and fitness is more important than people could possibly understand. God has so graciously granted us these bodies to live in, should we not take the utmost care to preserve and honor this gift? Tony represents both the end and the means to a well maintained body. It takes a lot of work and perseverance to achieve peak physical performance. You must have the American “Can Do” spirit to endure. It is necessary in order to suffer the pain of pushing your body to its limit. To choose to rise at five A.M. to suffer through an intense workout, rigorous training to tear down muscles and allow them to build themselves stronger, better, faster. To utilize interval training so that no matter what, you experience that constant, gratifying ache of exhausted, repairing muscles. To do this every day, that takes strength. Not only strength of body, but of mind and spirit. Also, to resist that oh-so-tempting candy bar in the store window, and choose to eat a balanced and healthy diet to fuel those intense workouts, giving your BODY what it TRULY NEEDS instead of what your tongue THINKS you need. This takes willpower, dedication, and a positive mindset. “I'm positive that hoping, wishing and just wanting something rarely produces anything. I do know that small steps, practice, hard work, asking for help, falling down once in a while, plus a healthy dose of determination will help you find your way…” (Tony Horton) Tony shows all of these traits that have been described. You can see these traits, both in the result of his body and his writings. He has written much about how to live a healthy lifestyle, not just get ripped, but how to be happy, healthy and live a more fulfilling life.

He is adventurous and rugged, like many other American Characters. He is a highly active person who participates in adrenaline pumping sports like skiing. “When I'm on the mountain [I] love to ski 'Esthetic Technical Lines'." This kind of skiing usually involves a very precise specific path down a ski run. These type of runs are not for the unskilled casual skier. They are usually steep, narrow chutes peppered with trees and rocks. They require a plan and an attitude before entering them. One mistake can result in a twisted knee, broken bones, a concussion or worse. "This kind of skiing might seem insane to some. To me skiing this way is a metaphor for life.” (Tony Horton) Tony is a very adventurous person, willing to take risks and try things that others may think insane to push his body to its limits. Tony also shows his adventuresome personality and entrepreneurship when he signed on with Carl Daikeler to begin making workout videos and developing a fitness program.

Tony has proven to be not only strong of body, mind, and character, but really a compassionate soul. He uses his superior training techniques and motivational skills to help others achieve the happiness and heath level he has achieved through a method that has been proven over and over again to really work. He promotes health, not fad diets. You can see through his writing that he actually cares about the people, not just about the money he makes. He cares about teaching people, not just how to live, but thrive. America is about being able to make choices. Tony helps people make the right ones. His attitude towards life and health are inspirational. At 50 he can do things a 20 year old cannot do! Tony lives life to the fullest. Half a century and he’s even more ripped and adventurous than ever!

Tony Horton is an amazing person, dedicated to success. He is a rugged individual, adventurous and a little bit crazy. He has strong beliefs and sticks by them, confident and positive. Tony has a true “Can Do” spirit. He has achieved what most people could not achieve within ten lifetimes!! Tony isn’t just a fitness trainer, he is an inspiration. He is not selfish. He shares his knowledge and passion with others, encouraging everyone to reach a level of fitness conducive to a fulfilling life. Tony Horton is the ultimate American Character.