Episode #46. Why kids aren’t moving: rethinking youth movement to make exercise fun again with Ajaye Hunn-Phillips
Why are kids moving less than ever before?
It’s easy to blame screens or modern life, but the reality is far more complex. Schools aren’t always prioritising PE, play spaces are disappearing and fear of failure is stopping many young people from even trying. When movement becomes a chore instead of something fun, kids opt out, and that can shape their relationship with exercise for life.
So how do we change the story? Ajaye Hunn-Phillips, co-founder of The Project PT, is passionate about making movement matter, having first-hand knowledge of the barriers young people face and what actually works to help them build confidence and joy in moving.
If you care about making movement more inclusive and enjoyable for kids, to last a lifetime, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.
Chapters
00:00 The Importance of Movement for Kids
03:06 Childhood Experiences with Movement
06:02 The Epidemic of Inactivity
09:08 The Role of Schools in Physical Activity
11:59 Modern Challenges: Screens and Convenience
14:47 Project PT: Addressing Movement Needs
17:56 Transformative Stories from Project PT
28:39 Overcoming Fear of Failure
29:33 Creating Inclusive Spaces for Youth
31:49 Modeling Imperfection in Movement
35:20 The Role of Schools in Promoting Movement
39:17 Building Community Through Gyms
45:54 Future Plans for Project PT
51:03 Encouraging Parental Involvement in Youth Sports
About this week’s guest:
Ajaye Hunn-Phillips
Ajaye Hunn-Phillips and Alexa Hunn-Phillips are the co-founders of The Project PT, an Oxford-based fitness venture dedicated to social and environmental justice.
Ajaye brings over 20 years of experience in the fitness industry, having held roles at various gyms and serving as a personal trainer, CrossFit coach, Olympic weightlifting coach, tutor, and sports therapist. She has also volunteered extensively in youth work, using sport to connect with young people.
Alexa, a former professional footballer, played for Charlton Athletic and the England national team. Alongside her sports career, she worked in educational settings supporting young people with neurodiversity.
The Project PT operates inclusive community gyms in Oxford, focusing on empowering individuals through movement. They run several social impact programs, including:
Lift Youth: Engages young people on the verge of school exclusion, using weightlifting to empower them to make positive life changes.
Strong Stance: Offers free fitness classes for young children, helping them build a positive relationship with exercise and sport.
Momentum: Provides accessible and fun fitness events in unusual settings, making fitness enjoyable for all.
Move Together: Supports vulnerable adults, including those who are housebound, by delivering fitness classes and promoting physical activity.
Since 2022, The Project PT has welcomed over 240 gym members with a 94% retention rate. They have worked with over 200 vulnerable young people, 47 housebound adults, and delivered over 2,000 free breakfasts to school children.
Connect here:
Website: https://theprojectpt.com
Independent Oxford: https://independentoxford.com/directory/the-project-pt/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/@theprojectpt
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theprojectptoxford
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More about your host, Wendy
Wendy (50) founded Reclaim Movement after a running injury at 40 turned into 4 years of chronic pain. In her search for answers and to reclaim her own movement again she discovered natural movement. The philosophy of training real life practical movements to be able to keep using them as we age, coupled with the benefit of using strengthening and mobilising whole-body movement patterns that are underused in today’s modern world made her realise she had found a way to move for life.
Wendy’s aim is to help people embrace a movement-rich life, at any age, to improve mobility, strength and confidence to keep moving well and doing the things they love for as long as they want.
MovNat Level 1 certified & Functional Range Conditioning certified, she coaches online group classes live & by replay in the Reclaim Movement membership as well as online and in-person private coaching in Oxford.
Find out more about Reclaim Movement:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/reclaim.movement
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@reclaim.movement
Facebook: https://facebook.com/reclaim.movement
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