John F. Kennedy is the youngest person to be ever elected President. Not only was he young, but it could be argued that he was also the most athletic and fit President ever to hold office. Growing up, there was a huge emphasis on physical activity in his family. Tennis, football and sailing were some of his favorite sports. In addition, all four of the Kennedy brothers lettered in Football while they were at Harvard.
On the other hand, in this year’s election, we have our two oldest major party Presidential candidates ever. However, the way they talk, it sounds like they are the fittest people ever running for President. So then who really is the fittest Presidential candidate this year?
Donald Trump
Trump seems to be the one candidate that talks about how he will be to most fit and healthy president ever elected. However, it doesn’t look like he get’s much sun, and at a stark 70 years of age, it’s hard to believe he is the best physical shape (especially after that taco bowl).
Trump even got his doctor release a statement saying that Trump had no major health problems and that he would also be the most healthy president ever if elected. According to Mr. Trump, it’s because of his “great genes.”
In early September, Mr. Trump also went on to Dr. Oz’s show to talk about his health and his health routine. On the show, it was learned that he doesn’t exercise, would like to lose 15 pounds, eats quite a bit of fast food on the road and is on medicine to help with his cholesterol levels. Based off of this, he doesn’t seem that far off from a lot of Americans, but he’s hardly the embodiment of good health that he claims to be.
Hillary Clinton
Hillary Clinton seems to be your average 68-year-old grandma. Not old enough to be confined to a wheelchair, but young enough to parade around the country and run for President of the United States.
Clinton also released her health records after a coughing spurt and after collapsing at the 9/11 memorial. She was clearly sick, but the speculation was hurting her. From these documents, it was discovered that Clinton had blood clots and was recommended blood-thinning medication in the late 90s. The documents also revealed some of her smaller problems like a fractured right elbow in 2009, and the stomach virus in 2012. In a more recent exam, she was deemed to have “healthy” blood pressure, and heart rate.
It doesn’t seem like Hillary is doing terrible. She isn’t at the top of her game obviously, but at 68 years old, she isn’t doing terrible. It’s arguable that she’s doing better with her health than Trump is. However, there is nothing special about her health.
Gary Johnson
Although Gary Johnson’s mental health could be disputed after some of his recent brain farts, he is almost undeniably the fittest presidential candidate in 2016. He does have some advantage being the youngest of the three at 63, but his physical ability is unmatched.
His most “well known” feat, is climbing Mount Everest. Climbing Mount Everest in itself is amazing, but Gary did it on a fractured leg that wasn’t fully healed. It’s something his campaign has been using to advertise, and it is the inspiration for this shirt.
Not only that, but he’s also climbed to the highest peak on all seven continents. If that’s not impressive in itself, that I don’t know what is.
Furthermore, he has run in 17 marathons with a personal best 2 hours and 47 minutes which blows away Paul Rand’s PR of 4:01. In addition to all of that, he has also finished in four Ironman World Championship Races in Hawaii. Gary Johnson is the only presidential candidate to ever compete, let alone finish, an Ironman triathlon.
Just recently, his campaign announced that he would be holding an event in his home state of New Mexico. This isn’t just your typical event, though. This event is a 70-mile bike ride from Taos, NM to Santa Fe, NM. This may the first of its kind from a presidential candidate.
Although Gary makes the other candidates look like couch potatoes, it remains to be seen if he can climb up the polls, as fast as he climbed Everest.
