RFK Jr. launches school fitness challenge with WWE stars

The Department of Health and Human Services is offering $10 million in prizes to schools and organizations that create ways to engage young Americans in the Presidential Fitness Test.AUSTIN, Texas (CN) — Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared at an event Thursday that was equal parts announcement and workout session to promote the Trump administration’s goals for youth physical fitness.At Westlake High School in southwest Austin, Kennedy announced the launch of the Presidential Fitness School Innovation Challenge, a competition offering $10 million in prizes to schools, school districts and educational organizations that develop novel approaches to implementing the Presidential Physical Fitness Test.Speaking to a group of around 30 Westlake athletes, Kennedy shared reverence for the test, which scores of American school kids have taken as a rite of passage, and stressed the importance of young Americans being physically fit.“Those values are being taught to you here in Westlake," the secretary said during the announcement. “I commend you all for being such great achievers and for devoting yourselves to understanding that connection between the body and the mind. If we want to have healthy minds, we also need to have healthy bodies.”To sell that message, the administration has partnered with WWE stars Charlotte Flair, Rey Mysterio and Cody Rhodes, who were all in attendance.“This is about turning the screens off, being accountable and showing your capability,” Rhodes told the students.WWE alum and the company’s chief content officer, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, and professional golfer Bryson DeChambeau were also in attendance and spoke to students. Last year, DeChambeau and Levesque were appointed to the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, serving as the council’s chair and vice chair, respectively.Starting Thursday, schools and youth organizations can submit their proposals online detailing how their implementation of the Presidential Fitness Test led to results and learning among students. Organizations of all sizes are encouraged to enter and could receive $20,000 to $1 million, depending on the number of students they serve. In addition to the $7 million allocated for cash prizes, $3 million in vouchers for equipment will be awarded to organizations to support physical health. Voucher awards vary based on organization size and range between $1,000 and $5,000.Following the announcement, the high school athletes took part in a Presidential Fitness Test course, which included push-ups, curl-ups, pull-ups, a plank and running laps. Kennedy did not pass up the opportunity to take part in the tests, joining a group of students who were doing pull-ups.The Presidential Physical Fitness Test has taken many forms since its inception in the 1950s. Kennedy spoke about his uncle, President John F. Kennedy, and his plans to implement a physical test of his own, reflecting his concerns outlined in his 1960 Sports Illustrated article titled “The Soft American.” In the article, the then-president-elect voices fears that the country’s youth were lagging behind those in other nations and makes a call to action to reverse the trend.“My uncle wanted to challenge Americans to do something great, physically,” Secretary Kennedy said.Through the years, scores of American youth participated in the test, making it a rite of passage for many in U.S. public schools. That was until 2012, when it was retired by President Barack Obama, who sought to put more focus on physical fitness and less on competition. President Donald Trump revived the test last year via executive order. Kennedy praised Trump’s action during Thursday’s event, saying competition is good.Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon was also in attendance to announce a partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services’ Get Kids Active Campaign. She said her agency would be working with HHS, the WWE and the Sports, Fitness and Nutrition Council to continue the “Make America Healthy Again” movement.Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke to a group of student athletes at Westlake High School in Austin, Texas, about the importance of physical fitness. October 1, 2026 (Courthouse News Service/Kirk McDaniel)Subscribe to our free newslettersOur weekly newsletter Closing Arguments offers the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world, while the monthly Under the Lights dishes the legal dirt from Hollywood, sports, Big Tech and the arts.Additional Reads