Pelletier dares leaders to improve fitness in communities

Rob Pelletier was once a sparring partner for Muhammad Ali, one of the greatest boxers of all time.
But the 51-year-old, who now lives in Burlington, Ont., has perhaps an even bigger obstacle to face. He's issuing a challenge to Native leaders across North America.
Pelletier, who already has an extensive and impressive resume in sporting and fitness industries, has launched a new business called Iron Eagle Fitness Consulting.
He's hoping to work with First Nations leaders across Canada and the U.S. to establish fitness programs and facilities in their communities. Pelletier believes these programs and facilities would go a long way to help alleviate some of the well documented problems in some First Nations communities.
Pelletier, who was born in Thunder Bay but grew up on Manitoulin Island as a member of the the Wikwemikong Unceded First Nation, is especially keen to work with Aboriginal communities that are not in close proximity to areas with fitness centres.
"Those are the ones that most need it," he said. "Those are the remote (communities) not the ones that are two kilometres from a major city where they can have everything they need."
Pelletier said he's been thinking about establishing his new company for a long time. "It's been in the idea making process for about 10 years," he said.
He's already lined up contracts with fitness equipment manufacturers, who would provide the necessary equipment, even to those hard-to-travel-to communities. He's also planned out the fitness programs to fit various budgets, ranging from $30,000 to $150,000.
For those communities that do not have a building where they could facilitate a fitness program, Pelletier has those bases covered as well. He's already figured out design plans for new facilities, from 2,000 to 5,000 square feet. And he's ready to assist in staff training and program development. He said building a new facility is not necessarily a must.
He said communities often have an unused building that could easily be converted into a fitness area.
Pelletier said he's spoken to numerous Native leaders and council members on both sides of the border. And the reaction is often the same ­ his program sounds like it would have numerous benefits to communities.
"They talk about getting (a program like this)," Pelltier said. "But nobody ever does anything about it."
He believes it is time for a change. "There is a huge need for it," he said. "And I think there's going to be a huge snowball effect when it does get going."
The benefits from having fitness programs and facilities in First Nations communities would be significant, Pelletier believes. For starters, there are the obvious health benefits from engaging in a regular fitness program. And perhaps issues such as suicides and drug and alcohol abuse would decrease.
"People are spending millions of dollars out there just on information about things like diabetes," he said. "They don't need to have any more brochures."
To that end, Pelletier is issuing a challenge to Native leaders to do more than just talk about improvements in their communities.

"People are going to say who is this guy challenging Native leaders," he said. "But I am challenging them to lose 10 pounds each and to get these programs in their communities."
Pelletier said in his discussions people often do not know what equipment would be required. And he said that would vary from community to community, depending on a number of factors including the obvious one, size.
"If you go to the companies, they'll sell you $250,000 worth of equipment," he said. "They'll tell you that you need it and it will just sit there unused."
Pelletier is no stranger to the fitness industry as he has been a consultant to the Premier Fitness Club, one of Canada's most successful and largest fitness chains.
During the past quarter century he has also held various jobs in the fitness industry, including facility manager, sales associate, advertising and marketing associate, fitness consultant and fitness tester.
Pelletier has also worked as a martial arts instructor and has been a boxing, kick boxing and mixed martial arts coach.
As a coach, one of his greatest accomplishments came at the 2002 North American Indigenous Games. At those Games, which were held in Winnipeg, Pelletier was a coach for the Team Ontario boxing squad that captured 12 gold and three silver medals.
As for his own sparring experiences with Ali, those occurred back in 1978 in Florida and in Pennsylvania. At the time Ali was preparing for a fight with another legendary boxer, Leon Spinks.
During the late 1980s and early '90s, Pelletier also helped develop a National Assault Prevention Program for women and children.
For more information about Iron Eagle Fitness Consulting go to www.wfp.bz or call Rob Pelletier at (905) 865-7804.