Name: Diane H. Hart
Location: Capital Region of New York State
Website: www.harttoheartfitness.org
Occupation: Fitness Professional; Master Trainer; Health Specialist for Blue Shield of Northeastern New York, President and Executive Director of the National Association for Health and Fitness (NAHF)
How did you hear about MFN?
I heard about MFN through Diana and Lisa reaching out to me because of my work with the National Association for Health and Fitness vision that America shares in the social, economic, health and environmental benefits that come from living an active lifestyle. I am proud to serve MFN as an Advisory Board Member.
How do you or your business help those with chronic disease/medical conditions or who need pre & postnatal care?
My Hart to Heart Fitness business serves all arenas – workplace fitness classes, workplace seminars on heart health, diabetes, cancer prevention, stress management, healthy sleep, nutrition and physical activity. My senior classes address osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and depression. My specialty is pre and post menopausal women. I have developed a “Fit Kids” program as well.
What makes you different from all the other fitness professionals out there?
What differentiates me from all the other fitness professionals is that I not only serve on the grass-roots community level with my classes but also serve as President and Executive Director of the National Association for Health and Fitness (NAHF) to develop public policy to enhance the health of our United States’ citizens. (e.g., calorie count on menus). NAHF was founded in 1979 by the President’s Council on Physical Fitness, Sports and Nutrition.
What is your favorite activity or class to participate in?
My favorite class is Jacki’s aerobic dancing! The level can be adjusted to the level of any participant and the music is extremely motivating.
What is one piece of advice that you would give other fitness professionals about working with special populations or those who need pre & postnatal care?
One piece of advice is to always maintain your professionalism in your career and not to let anyone pull you off your path. Let us always be remembered for the best thing we do and not for the last, worst thing we do!
What type of community activities are you involved in?
Hart to Heart Fitness Students and myself have participated in every American Heart Association Walk since 2000 raising money for the organization and I hold a FREE health fair every year at my Church where we provide free blood pressure clinics by nurses, prescription reviews, BMI calculation, nutrition information, chair massage, healthy snacks, etc.
What is one of your favorite memories involving working with someone who has a health challenge or disability?
My favorite memory is of a Professor who became a quadriplegic after being hit by a car and together we were able to progress him to using many of the fitness machines at the gym (with me holding onto him with his belt) and also the bond we formed when I assisted him with stretching and making him feel valued.
What would you like to see change/develop/emerge in the future of healthcare and the fitness industry?
I see initiatives like “Exercise is Medicine” and healthcare now using fitness professionals as Providers emerging as the future of healthcare to maintain the high quality of life, decreasing the economic burden of sickness-care spending and reducing risk factors associated with non-communicable diseases.
And what are you doing to make this happen?
My position as Health Specialist with Blue Shield of Northeastern New York is a Provider position and I have an NPI number and Taxonomy code for invoicing their members. Membership in Medical Fitness Network is a “must” for any fitness professional that wants to be taken “seriously” in our field.
Diane receiving 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award from the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition in Washington D.C.
What is your favorite fitness/inspirational/motivational quote?
My favorite quote: “When health is absent, wisdom cannot reveal itself, art cannot become manifest, strength cannot be exerted, wealth is useless and reason is powerless.” -Herophilus, ancient Greek physician.
Anything else we should know about you?
Was honored to receive the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award from the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition in Washington D.C. This award honors an individual whose careers have greatly contributed to the advancement or promotion of physical activity, fitness, sports and nutrition-related programs nationwide. They are selected by the Council’s members based on the span and scope of their career, the estimated number of lives they have touched and the impact of their legacy.
