A few years back, I came across a picture of a friend of mine from middle school. We had recently connected through Facebook after almost 25 years. During that time, I had gone from being a high school cheerleader to an overweight college student  and finally ending up as a marathoner and triathlete.

My experience with fitness was primarily about getting back in shape. When I saw a shirtless picture of my friend with a very impressive "six pack," I asked him how he stayed in shape. His answer was completely unexpected.

"I have always been fit," he responded. "I played team sports throughout high school and have been involved in martial arts for most of my adult life."

For the first time, I began to wonder what it would be like to have always lived a healthy life and to not struggle to "undo" the damage done to my body.

I recently met Jon Brianas of Turning Point Sports, who is building a business around the very idea of lifelong fitness. He and his partner, Adam Borcz, have developed an after- school fitness program to lead children toward a healthy and more active lifestyle.

Jon outlined the five keys to success that he teaches in his after-school program. Given John's history as a Navy Lacrosse player, the first key to success was not surprising.

"Find your team," Jon said, "Whether it is a real team, a group of friends or even your family. Find the team that works for you and with you and do something. Start something." 

Having a "team" was an important part of Jon's life during his final two years at the U.S. Naval Academy. During the spring season of his junior year, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He had surgery and returned to school and is frank about not sharing his struggle with his teammates at that time. When the cancer came back that December and he discovered he would need chemotherapy, he had to share the news. There was no hiding what he was going through from his teammates.

Soon after starting chemotherapy, as his hair began to fall out and he shaved his head, he discovered just how much having a team can mean. Heading into a team meeting with his bald head, he was moved to find his entire team with clean shaven heads. 

That year, Jon went on to be named team captain, perform all of his captain duties, finish chemotherapy, catch up on his school work, play seven games at the end of the season, and still graduate on time. He accomplished all of this with the help of a whole team that consisted of not just teammates but friends, family and classmates. 

So, his keys to success start with finding a team. From there, his program teaches the kids to:

• set goals
• learn from mistakes
• never give up
• always, no matter what, finish what you start 

These keys to success are taught as part of a fitness and nutrition program that is broken up into quarters every afternoon after school. For the first quarter, the children warm up like real athletes, the second and third quarters are devoted to cardiovascular fitness, speed and agility, and strength. The last quarter is all about fun and competition, usually in the form of relay races and teamwork. 

Jon and Adam were both competitive athletes throughout their school years. As adults, they could be focusing on becoming faster, more competitive athletes.  Instead, they have developed a program to help other children and their families become healthier and more active.

Currently, the program is offered at four local schools including the Naval Academy Primary School, along with Arnold, Germantown and St. Mary's elementary schools. Jon is hoping to see the program in at least a dozen schools by next spring. With the five keys to success that the program promotes, I am sure that is exactly what he will see.