Students challenge faculty’s fitness levels to benefit Claire’s Place Foundation

Students in the College of Business’ Marketing Department are challenging professors to complete a physical activity or fitness skill — all in the name of charity.

The challenge is part of a fundraising project for Claire’s Place Foundation, which helps children with cystic fibrosis and their families.

The Give a Breath Fitness campaign was developed by students in the Health and Fitness Marketing class with guidance from students in the FIU Master of Science in Marketing program.

The campaign proceeds Claire Wineland’s presentation at FIU March 8.  Now 18 years old, Wineland has lived with cystic fibrosis since birth; she will be one of the speakers at a workshop for students in the Marketing Yourself in Today’s Competitive Job Market class.

In the first fitness challenge, the marketing students dared marketing professor Wendy Guess to perform a cartwheel, yoga planks and a few dance moves. Students donated to Claire’s Place as an incentive for Guess, and she matched the funds.

Guess, who specializes in health care and wellness marketing, won the dare — and had the opportunity to impart a broader message.

“The challenges have to do with physical activity because cystic fibrosis often affects the lungs and we have to remember the gift of movement,” Guess said. “We also want the students to understand the concept of ‘marketing with meaning’ and not just making money.”

In addition to the individual challenges, where students across campus are encouraged to raise the stakes on their instructors and coaches, the Health and Fitness Marketing students will host the “Walk 4 Clairity” event Feb. 27. The mile-long walk at the FIU Nature Preserve will include fitness stations and several impromptu challenges.

“It’s a meaningful way to get students to make a difference,” Guess said. “We want them to have a vested interest in hearing her speak.”

A renowned public speaker, Wineland co-authored Every Breath I Take, Surviving and Thriving with Cystic Fibrosis and hosts “The Clairity Project,” a YouTube video series, where she uses humor to speak about the realities of living with a chronic illness.

The “Give a Breath” fitness challenge is open to all students, clubs, and teams at FIU. For more information on how to participate, visit https://www.crowdrise.com/fitnesschallenge. For more information about the “Walk 4 Clairity,” visit https://www.crowdrise.com/giveabreathwalk.