By REESE CARLTON
Staff Writer
We all have to thank our teachers for how much they’ve done for us: helping us progress our knowledge, develop our character, and deal with us in our adolescence. However, something often overlooked is that our teachers, being human, want to get BIG. Beyond the fundamentals of political science, mathematics or social sciences, the teachers have secrets to staying fit and healthy that they can pass on to the students of University High School. The first of this illustrious squad of teachers is Ms. Bradshaw.

When she’s not teaching her students the wonders of mathematics, she’s coaching the girls basketball team. In high school, at Woodbridge High School, she played basketball and volleyball, and helped her basketball team win a CIF championship. Nowadays, she may no longer break ankles on the court due to a knee injury, but she finds exercise in the form of rowing.
“The more you are physically active, the more energy you will have, and the more endorphins you will produce,” stated Bradshaw. When asked what animal she would be compared to in strength, she said a bird, but the mental strength of an ox. Ms. Mosey, another member of UHS’s mathematics department, is the coach of the girls cross country and track teams. Ms. Mosey also had a successful high school athletic career, competing for her school’s cross country, track, and soccer teams. Ms. Mosey’s cross country team won state three years in a row, and placed second in the nation!

To stay fit now, Ms. Mosey runs alongside her runners, often wiping the floor with them, and walks her dog daily. She sometimes takes spin classes, an indoor cycling workout, if she has time in her busy schedule. Like Ms. Bradshaw, Ms. Mosey believes exercise is essential to a successful high school career. “It’s for more than just physical health,” said Mosey.
“Exercise is one of the best things for your mental and emotional health as well. I always feel so much better after working out even if I am having a rough day.” Ms. Mosey believed if there was an animal that represented her strength, it would be a gazelle, one of the swiftest and fastest land animals.
The final member of the fantastic four is Mr. Budde, a social science teacher. Mr. Budde started the grind early in life. Just like his father and his grandfather, Budde played football from an early age, and he later picked up basketball. For Budde, exercise gives him the opportunity to push his body and challenge himself. “For me, I like pushing my mind, but sometimes you need a break… and pushing your body can give you that energy,” Budde said.
“When I was in college, I used to work out and then go study because I felt more energetic afterwards.” Budde agrees that there are many benefits to staying fit. “You don’t need to be super big or buff, but there’s a certain benefit to being fit—working out physically can help you out intellectually too,” he said.
“It gives you a lot more intellectual stamina and helps balance your hormones.” Budde also had some advice for students looking to start working out. “The most important thing to just start,” he said. “Try to do something active for at least half an hour, break a sweat, then build on that.” He recommends students start with exercises like burpees, push-ups, sit-ups, running stairs or jump roping.
Another tip Budde gave is to be unafraid to ask for help, especially for students starting to go to the gym. “Most people at the gym are pretty friendly,” he said. “If you see someone who’s really fit or looks like they know what they’re doing, don’t be afraid to ask them. They’ll want to help you.” Budde also had tips for students looking to stay healthy and avoid injury while they exercise. “Rest is key,” he said.
“Something I could improve at is resting enough. I’ll work out just because I’m bored even though my body is telling me to rest.” “Also, don’t lift more than you know you can. You can hurt yourself by dropping weights.” Although UHS is known for for academics and not as much for its athletics, with so many athletic role models, this idea is ludicrous. Ask a teacher what their workout schedule is and it may surprise you; there is always room for athletics and academics! “If you haven’t committed yet, you don’t know what it can do for you,” said Budde.