By BeActive NC
As many running enthusiasts agree, physical activity is as much a part of daily life as brushing your teeth or taking out the trash. Executive Director of the Be Active–Appalachian Partnership, Susan Tumbleston, is no different. Thanks to her passion and belief in the power of physical activity, Tumbleston not only lives the mission, but also advocates for physical activity opportunities and motivates others to get moving.
A native of Boone, Tumbleston credits her active lifestyle with helping her cope with difficult times in her life. Her time spent running is therapeutic, she says, enabling her to focus her thoughts and enjoy the beauty of nature. In addition, she says staying active helps her manage her physical, emotional and spiritual health, as well as maintain a positive outlook.
“I couldn’t take a medicine that would do for me what physical activity does,” she said. And she doesn’t only advocate for physical activity in her profession—encouraging other women to take part in regular physical activity is a critical part of Tumbleston’s life.
“Many women say they just don’t have time. I say to them, “There are 1,440 minutes in a day, and you can take 30 of them to be physically active. “Even if you get in 10 minutes a day, it lowers your risk of diabetes and heart disease.”
Leading by example and with encouragement, Tumbleston stresses the impact that those who are already active can have on those who are not. “As a runner, I have a real passion about the benefits of being physically active,” she says. It has been part of my life for so many years; it has become one of my values. We should all encourage and support those who don’t embrace this in their daily lives—you can become an advocate for better health in your own family and community.” Susan is an inspiration as she works to improve the health of western North Carolinians.
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Be Active North Carolina is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles across the state. For more information on physical activity and all of its many benefits, visit www.beactivenc.org.
