Physical education has a ​transcendent value that is often undervalued, including social, intellectual and academic spaces. Why is it so often the first area to be cut when looking at courses to prepare students for thriving futures? William E. Simon, Jr. is the cofounder of UCLA Health Sound Body Sound Mind, a program he began with his wife Cindy Simon in 1998, dedicated to fighting childhood obesity by providing stateoftheart fitness equipment, a comprehensive curriculum, and professional development for PE programs. He is the author of, "Break a Sweat, Change Your Life" urging the need the for physical education in schools and championing fitness among youth. Mr. Simon is an Assistant Adjunct Professor in both the Department of Economics and the Law School at UCLA, and a a partner at Massey Quick Simon, a wealth management firm. In 2018, Mr. Simon was awarded the UCLA Marty Sklar My Last Lecture Award, and several honorary degrees. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx