PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Arizona officials have launched a statewide youth fitness challenge aimed at keeping kids active and healthy throughout the summer. The initiative was announced Thursday by State Representative Teresa Martinez, a Republican from Casa Grande, who partnered with former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson and the Boys & Girls Club.
Tyson, known for his boxing career as well as his roles as an actor and entrepreneur, joined the launch event to encourage youth participation. He spoke openly about how fitness changed his life and expressed his hope to inspire children to embrace daily physical activity.
“Working out is like medicine. It’s soothing. It helps you mentally, physically, and spiritually,” Tyson said. “You have to keep moving if you want to live. Life is about constant movement.”
The challenge began Thursday and runs through July 1. Boys & Girls Club members across Arizona will take part in daily fitness activities. Participants will track their progress through basic exercises at their local clubs.
Tyson emphasized that consistent effort was the key to his success. “I became champ of the world through repetition—every day, every day. The more we work out, the better we become,” he said.
Rep. Martinez echoed his message, saying Arizona’s youth deserve the tools to grow up healthy and strong. “Being healthy doesn’t have to be hard—it just takes a little effort each day,” she said. “This challenge is a fun way to help kids form good habits, stay active, and know that their leaders believe in them.”
One young man, Jose “Junior” Beltran, shared how Tyson’s example shaped his life. Beltran grew up attending the Boys & Girls Club and said that exercise had a major impact on him.
After a cancer diagnosis, Beltran decided to take control of his health. “I knew my diet and habits were bad. I had to change,” he said.
Tyson’s story helped motivate him to lose weight, fight cancer, and train as a boxer. “Mentality changes everything. You can be strong and fit, but without confidence, it doesn’t show. When you have confidence, everything changes,” he said.
Now cancer-free, Beltran works with youth at the Boys & Girls Club and hopes to inspire them through his own journey. “I want them to take small steps to improve their habits,” he said.
