Translator: Paola Benedetti Reviewer: Denise RQ
In the health ranking of 133 countries,
the United States weighs in at 28th,
yet, we spend far more on health care and medical costs per capita
than any other country in the world.
We pour more than 60 billion dollars annually
into the diet industry,
yet one in five of our school children are obese
and type-2 diabetes has reached epidemic proportions.
I was raised on the Standard American Diet or SAD
(Laughter)
and my family struggles with obesity, addiction, and even suicide.
I want to see this change,
not only in my family but in all of America.
Imagine: one generation from now, year 2040,
the United States is ranked the number one healthiest country
in the world.
We would enter old age with a better quality of life,
since preventable and reversible diseases,
like heart disease, some cancers, and arthritis would plummet;
healthier communities would reduce feelings of isolation
causing mental illness and crime rates to go down;
many more physicians would practice disease prevention;
corporations that prioritize the health of our people and planet
would flourish;
we would have greater social and economic equality.
Wouldn't this be cause for tremendous celebration?
But back here in 2017,
what's keeping us from this number one health ranking?
We are equipped with awesome power tools in our toolbox,
but they could use some upgrading.
I'm not talking about drills or chainsaws, I'm talking about cultural tools.
And the one I want to focus on here is time.
The United States relationship to time is different than most other countries.
We view time as an asset,
and many of us complain that there's never enough of it.
This scarcity mindset
is often a root cause of stress and anxiety.
I believe it's this unique relationship to time that has caused the US
to create a culture of convenience over a culture of health.
It's easy to choose quick-processed foods over home-cooked meals
and spend time sitting in front of screens
rather than getting outside or nurturing relationships.
In efforts to get more done,
these choices, when made repeatedly,
could make people physically and emotionally unwell
which is ultimately a huge time suck.
Sickness is inconvenient.
Consider this: if you were to tweak your relationship to time
by slowing down to be more present with yourself and the people you love
and nourish your body and mind,
you might, actually, increase your productivity.
We're not going to solve all of these issues
in this seven-minute talk,
but I'm here to plant some seeds.
I've landed on a solution that, if you're so inclined,
you can use to become the best and healthiest version of yourself.
And in doing so,
you'll be bringing us closer to that big, hairy, audacious goal
of becoming the healthiest country.
It's a three-part solution.
First, we cultivate a growth over a fixed mindset,
this deepens our love of learning and resilience
and helps us succeed.
Second, we clarify our purpose,
our personal reason for being on this planet.
Scottish theologian William Barclay
said there are two great days in a person's life:
the day we are born and the day we discover why.
Third, we share our purpose to create connection and accountability.
This work intrinsically motivates us
to take greater care of ourselves and our community.
And it helps us define how to best spend our time.
We are at a fascinating place in history,
where much of the American population is fed up.
Grassroots movements have been growing for decades
toward becoming physically, mentally, and economically healthier.
As our political climate continues to heat up along with our Earth's,
we, the people, are compelled to unite, and we're reaching the tipping point.
We're not all going to be in agreement
on how to reach this number one health ranking,
but we just need to be in alignment.
And if you don't believe this goal is possible,
consider the radical transformations we've already made
around buckling up our seat belts and cigarette smoking in public spaces.
We can do this.
I've started a social media movement.
It's a place where we can share our purpose
and what being healthy means to each of us.
It's easy to join "resolution2040."
Here you will find a worksheet
that will help you clarify your personal purpose.
All I ask in return is that you share your purpose
on the social media platform of your choice
or email it to me,
and I'll share it for you.
My personal gain is not monetary,
it's simply that our country reaches this goal.
Clarify your big, juicy reason for being alive,
make it so that you love to get out of bed every morning
and share yourself with the world.
As we practice living purpose-oriented lives,
we will elevate our culture from one of convenience to one of health.
May the seeds we plant today grow deep roots and blossom
into the US becoming the healthiest country in the world by 2040.
(Applause)