Champions Archives | Augie's Quest

Oct 20

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ATN: Mark Mastrov, a Fitness Industry Legend, Honored for Storied Career

By Gretchen Simoneaux Champions No Comments

https://athletechnews.com/mark-mastrov-fitness-industry-legend/

Sep 18

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San Francisco 49’ers invite Augie’s Quest to Dwight Clark Day

By Gretchen Simoneaux Champions No Comments

It was a special day for the ALS community as we joined together to celebrate the legacy of Dwight Clark on “87 Day.” Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS is honored to be part of this annual tradition that began in 2017. Thank you to the San Francisco 49ers for their dedication to our Quest to #EndALS and to all of the ALS families for joining us! #87Day

Sep 12

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Life Time Announces Nationwide “GO90” Fundraiser Workout to Fight ALS on September 28

By Gretchen Simoneaux Champions No Comments

Event to support Augie’s Quest and the Life Time Foundation

CHANHASSEN, Minn., Sept. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Life Time (NYSE: LTH) today announced the nationwide launch of Life Time x Augie’s Quest GO90, a nationwide workout fundraiser to benefit both Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS and the Life Time Foundation, two organizations that focus on ALS research and patient care, and youth nutrition, movement and conservation efforts respectively.

The event will take place on Saturday, September 28, across Life Time’s athletic country clubs. Registration is open to take part and donate to the causes linked here. Those who are not members of Life Time may take part in GO90 by registering at this link and selecting the Life Time location most convenient for them.

GO90 will feature a variety of 90-minute, $25 donation class formats. Each Life Time participating will host a 90-minute marquee workout and post-event social. The length of the classes were thoughtfully chosen in recognition that someone is diagnosed with ALS roughly every 90 minutes. 100% of funds raised will be split equally among Augie’s Quest and the Life Time Foundation.

The 90-minute circuit-style workout will feature the programming of one or more of Life Time’s signature group training formats: GTX, Alpha and Ultra Fit. Depending on the club, participants can have the option to either participate in a 90-minute session of a single format or a mashup of multiple formats. There will also be a streamed class available on the complimentary Life Time Digital app for people to take anywhere.

“This event is a testament to the power of community and movement. GO90 is not just an opportunity to fund ALS research, school nutrition, youth movement and conservation efforts, but a celebration of our collective strength,” said Sarah Emola, Director of the Life Time Foundation. “Building on the momentum of our Ride of a Life Time charity cycling event in the spring, we’re excited to create another avenue for our members and communities to give back and move with purpose in the fall.”

“Every 90 minutes someone is diagnosed with ALS. We are proud to team up with Life Time and their members to raise critical funds toward our mission of driving breakthroughs in ALS research and empowering hope for a future without this fatal disease,” said Gretchen Simoneaux, Vice President of Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS. “Our founder, Augie Nieto, and Life Time’s founder, Bahram Akradi, are two icons in the industry that continue to bring us toward a healthier future.”

Augie’s Quest is dedicated to supporting ALS research and empowering hope for a future without the disease. By accelerating research, enhancing patient care and raising awareness in the fight to cure ALS. The nonprofit organization was founded by Augie Nieto, a former athlete who founded the organization in 2005 following his own diagnosis with ALS that same year. Nieto cofounded Life Fitness, the fitness equipment company, that many Life Time members are likely familiar with from using the machines in the company’s athletic country clubs.

The Life Time Foundation was established to inspire Healthy People, a Healthy Planet and a Healthy Way of Life. Beginning in 2011, the Life Time Foundation prioritized the ‘Healthy People’ aspect of its mission by supporting children’s health through youth nutrition and, more recently, youth movement programs. With an eye toward the ‘Healthy Planet’ element of its mission, the Life Time Foundation now is expanding focus on forestation and conservation efforts to help combat climate change driven by fast-rising amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere.

For more information on GO90, visit GO90.lifetime.life. For more information on Life Time visit www.lifetime.life.

About Life Time
Life Time (NYSE: LTH) empowers people to live healthy, happy lives through its portfolio of more than 170 athletic country clubs across the United States and Canada. The health and wellness pioneer also delivers a range of healthy way of life programs and information via its complimentary Life Time Digital app. The Company’s healthy living, healthy aging, healthy entertainment communities and ecosystem serve people 90 days to 90+ years old and is supported by a team of more than 45,000 dedicated professionals. In addition to delivering the best programs and experiences through its clubs, Life Time owns and produces nearly 30 of the most iconic athletic events in the country.

SOURCE Life Time, Inc.

Sep 09

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Fitness World Canada Raises $20,000 to Support ALS Research and Patient Care

By Gretchen Simoneaux Champions No Comments

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fitness World Canada and its community successfully raised $20,000 in September for their partnership with Augie’s Quest, an organization seeking a cure for ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) through funding research, patient care, and awareness initiatives. Throughout September, Fitness World hosted a series of fundraising events that members could engage with to raise money. This month, the gym doubled the impact of the campaign by matching every dollar raised by members and the community.

In the month-long campaign, Fitness World gym locations held three core events that invited members and local Vancouverites to support ALS awareness and care initiatives in meaningful ways: Specialty fitness classes, a train-the-trainer program, and ongoing donations, providing various channels of support for members and non-members to contribute.

This campaign saw Fitness World join a larger collective of gyms and fitness industry leaders that were inspired by the work of Augie’s Quest, co-founded in 2005 by Augie Nieto, the successful fitness industry mogul, following his ALS diagnosis. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that impacts the ability to control muscle movements such as walking, talking, eating, or breathing underscores the importance of physical mobility and strength, both of which are essential to everyday life and deeply valued within the fitness community. Augie’s Quest moves forward in Augie’s memory and his legacy through campaigns like these that see the local community band together towards a common goal.

“The dedication of our members and the greater community to support Augie’s Quest and ALS research and care has been incredibly moving,” said Chris Smith, President and CEO of Fitness World. “By matching every dollar raised, we wanted to help amplify their generosity and underscore the potential for collective impact.”

About Fitness World Canada:
Fitness World is a high-value, low-cost gym with 17 locations across the Lower Mainland. Committed to helping people reach their fitness goals, Fitness World offers inclusive spaces, state-of-the-art equipment, personalized programs, and numerous amenities starting at just $9.99 bi-weekly. Visit fitnessworld.ca for more information.

About Augie’s Quest:
At Augie’s Quest, our mission is to find a cure for ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and improve the lives of those affected by this devastating disease. Through our relentless pursuit of a cure, we have made significant strides and continue to drive progress in the fight against ALS.

Contact:
Yulu Public Relations
fw@yulupr.com
+1.604.558.1656

Jun 26

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July 4, 1939

By Gretchen Simoneaux Champions No Comments

Jun 05

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Los Angeles Angels partner with Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS to host Lou Gehrig Day

By Gretchen Simoneaux Champions No Comments

Orange County local Johnny Rodriguez and family attend Angel’s Baseball batting practice and represent the ALS community at June 3rd game against the San Diego Padres.

“The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are once again, proud to partner with Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS in our Lou Gehrig Day celebration. On Monday, June 3^rd at our game against the San Diego Padres, we’ve invited Johnny Rodriguez and his family to represent the ALS community on field before the game and attend batting practice. Johnny is the varsity lacrosse coach at Mater Dei High School and a young father to two little boys with his wife Cristina. Johnny’s initiative “Athlete’s vs. ALS” inspires us all to do more to help families living with ALS and embodies the spirit of Lou Gehrig himself!”

Jun 04

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Los Angeles Dodgers partner with Augie’s Quest to host Lou Gehrig Day

By Gretchen Simoneaux Champions, Our Champions No Comments

Augie’s Quest was honored to be a part of the Los Angeles Dodger’s Lou Gehrig Day on Sunday, June 2^nd. Johnny Rodriguez represented Augie’s Quest and Athletes vs. ALS by throwing out the first pitch. Other Southern California ALS families in attendance included Erin and Lily Taylor (tag), and Rick Canter and family.

“Dodger Fans, in honor of Lou Gehrig Day, throwing out today’s honorary first pitch is Athletes vs. ALS founder Johnny Rodriguez. Johnny is a former professional athlete who had a successful college lacrosse career before being drafted into the professional lacrosse league. He is currently a beloved and respected lacrosse coach and was recently credited with turning the team’s lacrosse program into a perennial nationally ranked team over the last decade.

After his diagnosis with ALS in the Fall of 2023 at the age of 35, Johnny partnered with Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS, motivating his community to raise critical funds for ALS research. Rodriguez goal is to help provide hope to people living with ALS. “

Los Angeles, California – June 2: Colorado Rockies vs Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, June 2, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Los Angeles, California – June 2: Colorado Rockies vs Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, June 2, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Los Angeles, California – June 2: Colorado Rockies vs Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, June 2, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Los Angeles, California – June 2: Colorado Rockies vs Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, June 2, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Los Angeles, California – June 2: Colorado Rockies vs Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, June 2, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Feb 06

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Augie’s Quest Research Update

By Gretchen Simoneaux Champions No Comments

We lost our hero, Augie Nieto, on February 22, 2023. Augie’s Quest lives on as Augie lived. We stay true to his vision, his heart, and his relentless focus on driving breakthroughs in ALS research. We exist to fund the top science to change lives.

We’re proud of our partnership with the ALS Therapy Development Institute, and what the funding from Augie’s Quest has contributed to this past year including:

Identifying lifestyle factors through the ALS Research Collaborative that could play a role in the risk of developing ALS or potentially contribute to a slower progression of the disease. This valuable information has the potential to guide future generations in better understanding ways to influence the progression of ALS or even prevent its development. This dataset is made possible through the generous contribution of essential data by nearly 1000 individuals with ALS, and your past support of Augie’s Quest.
- This de-identified data is shared with researchers around the world to advance the global effort to find effective treatments for ALS.
Funding of the Augie’s Quest Translational Research Center that
Initiated collaborative studies, using advanced cell biology techniques, to explore two new drug targets– medicine intervention points – in motor neurons from people with ALS grown in the lab.
Developed new techniques for growing and studying axons – the long connections between neurons and muscles – in the lab.
- These long connections break down in ALS. Understanding how they break down and discovering ways to stop that is important for developing effective treatments.
Initiated important studies of the how cells from people with ALS handle or mishandled critical RNA molecules.
- RNA molecules carry the instructions from human genes to the rest of the cell so that the cells can function properly. This is impaired in ALS and will likely need to be repaired. Scientists in the AQ TRC are exploring treatments that might address this dysfunction.

We proudly use the tagline “incurable is unacceptable,” because we can’t stop, we won’t stop, until there are treatments available for everyone with ALS that truly improve their lives and end this horrible disease.

May 12

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