Richard Kennedy has started a foodie revolution by organising an initiative for children to have access to free fruit while in hospitals and when visiting local shops. We got chatting to the man himself to get to know him a little better.
Tell us about yourself!
My name is Richard Kennedy and I am the owner of Fitness Freak, a fitness, and health food inspiring company. I am a motivational speaker, qualified Strength & Conditioning(BA)coach and personal trainer and I am the author of two cookbooks and I am a cook inspiring people to improve their lives by choosing healthy food alternatives via tastings, demonstrations, and nutrition programmes.
I run two mini-revolutions in my local town; Free Fruit For Kids in local shops and Free Fruit For ALL in South Tipp General Hospital. Here, baskets of free fruit, sponsored by local businesses, are available in three departments in the hospital administered by local secondary school transition year pupils.
Why did you decide to work in the realm of health and fitness?
I was typical young lad that was hyperactive and just loved sport in particular soccer and Gaelic football
When I was sixteen, I was lucky enough to sign for Crystal Palace with their youth team and that professional, full-time sporting environment developed a huge passion for fitness and training.
I developed an obsession for increasing my knowledge about nutrition and fitness and two years before I finished up playing I qualified as a personal trainer as it seemed the natural career route for me post soccer. Truth be told, I was at the stage where I enjoyed training and the gym more than I did actually playing.
I moved home ten years ago and set up Fitness Freak and as I gained more experience by working with people and sports clubs and corporate companies I realised that most people over complicate nutrition.
I wanted to break it down to the basic level that didn't overwhelm or confuse people and get them actually tasting healthier versions of foods they already liked. That is how Fitness Freak and myself have evolved over the past 10 years to making a healthy lifestyle less scary, less boring and more attainable.
How did Free Fruit For ALL come about and what is its purpose?
Our youngest son Ollie spent some time in hospital during Christmas 2015 and one night when it was my turn to stay over I had a walk down the corridor of the hospital and noticed that the hospital vending machines were actually HSE branded and had slogans on the outside encouraging people to choose the healthy green labelled options.
To my absolute astonishment, the green options were the likes of diet fizzy drinks and cereal bars. These were the healthy options so you can imagine the rest apart from one line of water. So I decided to approach the hospital and suggested getting baskets of free apples in some of the departments that would be supplied by the local apple farm and sponsored by local businesses/individuals.
Why? Because I'm passionate in the belief that there should be at least a genuinely healthy option in our hospitals. It's the one place we need food that is nourishing not diminishing our health and where it is so important to get the positive message across to the general public regards the importance of genuinely healthy food and what it looks like!
So, June last Year it kicked off in three locations:
- Paediatrics
- Outpatients
- Staff canteen
All three locations are restocked every Monday by The TY students of Gael Scoile Clonmel which, again, I believe is a positive step to get our younger generation involved at every opportunity in positive initiatives surrounding food.
What has the reaction to your initiative been?
The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive.
There has never been a shortage of sponsorship and the feedback I get from the TY students, sponsors, doctors, nurses, parents and children is really inspiring. I firmly believe there will be more hospitals on board in 2017.
What excites you right now and why?
The Free Fruit Initiative really excites me because of the response it continues to get and visualising where it’s going to get to. Having people believe in your vision is hugely scary when you put it out there but also hugely fulfilling when they believe in it.
Training excites me.....seriously. I think people need to grasp the notion of endorphins and not to fall into the trap of convincing themselves they're too tired to exercise because once you get moving you release those happy hormone endorphins. Please don't go on a treadmill if it's sunny outside ....energy creates energy!
I get hugely fired up by getting people tasting simple to make, tasty HEALTHY meals and snack options and show people healthy eating doesn't equal boring eating. It makes much more of an impact having people taste healthier options rather than having people snore through a PowerPoint for an hour.
Proudest moment to date?
Regards the Free Fruit Initiative in South Tipp Hospital the proudest moment would have to be been asked to write a piece regards the initiative for Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution Website.
The second one would be been nominated for the finals of the SME awards last year in the category contribution to the community for the Free Fruit For Kids. It's the recognition of something you believe should be done and it really solidifies your resolve to keep going.
Where can we find you online and how can people get involved?
You can find me online at www.fitnessfreak.ie and e-mail me at fitnessfreak.tk@gmail.com.
