The public is invited to a free lecture by Colby Community College instructor Ryan Hale on Tuesday, Jan. 28, beginning at 7 p.m.in the Cultural Arts Center.  The subject of the lecture is “Exercise as Medicine.” 

“A new year means 365 new opportunities to make changes in your life and get healthier,” said Hale.  “Eighty-five percent of Americans have at least one of the following—high blood pressure, coronary artery disease and diabetes.  Seventy-five percent of American deaths are due to stroke, coronary artery disease and cancer—conditions often influenced by one’s diet and lifestyle.”

Exercise as medicine is the notion that chronic disease can be prevented, controlled or cured by regular exercise and lifestyle change. 

The lecture will include topics such as why sitting is the new smoking, how you can live longer by staying out of the hospital, how a person’s walking ability can affect how long they life, the influence of diet and exercise on ADHD, heart disease, hypertension, arthritis, bone density, diabetes II, male reproduction, high cholesterol, fall prevention, pain management and Alzheimer’s.

“There are things in your life you can do today to not only add years to your life, but life to your years,” said Hale.

Hale graduated from CCC in 1994 with an Associate of Science Degree in Biological Science.  He continued his education at Kansas State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology and at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colo., where he earned a Master of Arts Degree in Kinesiology and Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Counseling.

Following graduation, Hale served as an Emergency Medical Technician for 18 years, taught EMT students, worked as a Certified Athletic Trainer for 14 years, and was owner/operator of a private counseling practice and sports medicine service for several years.

He has extensive experience in sports medicine.  His past and current clients include Professional Tour Cyclists, Ironman Triathletes, elite and world-class fencers, dancers and high school athletes.

Hale provided sports medicine care for the U.S. National Field Hockey United Airlines Tournament, University of Colorado men and women’s hockey, soccer, rugby, cycling, lacrosse and snowboarding athletes, Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids U-23 Team, American Cycling Association bicycle races and the Boulder Valley School system.

He was the owner of a sports medicine company providing on-site care for over 800 events while also operating a private counseling service.

For more information about the free lecture, contact: 

Ryan Hale
CCC Instructor & Counselor
(785) 460-5544 
Ryan.hale@colbycc.edu