Ramiro Galindo is not shy about sharing his view that using age as an excuse to not exercise is “bogus.” He also isn’t shy about challenging his friends to follow the exercise pathway to good health.
Galindo will turn 74 on October 5, just before he will compete in the BCS Marathon on December 9, bringing his personal marathon count to 14. Galindo last ran a marathon to celebrate his 70th birthday. This time, he is using the commemorative start of his 75th year of a healthy, productive lifestyle to inspire and challenge his friends.
As Galindo runs among the more than 3,000 runners expected at the BCS Marathon, he’ll be joined by a team of 150 people he has personally rallied to run for a cause greater than physical fitness – running to raise money for children in Bolivia. Whatever Galindo’s 75th year team raises in donations will be used to help poor children get an education and to have a chance at a better life. Galindo has vowed to match whatever amount of money his teammates raise.
“This is what America is all about,” he says proudly. “This is the community that we belong to.”
Galindo’s is a lifetime dedicated to fitness. It began in the early 1970s when Galindo picked up what he thought was a book about aviation, one of his favorite interests. It was actually about aerobics – human conditioning. He thought it was fantastic and started running with his brother, keeping track of points and making a friendly contest out of staying in shape.
He got to the point where he was spending so many hours a day exercising that he had the thought, “Why not make this a job?” He then took the idea a step further and decided to build an emporium of fitness where families could come and be active together. The Aerofit Health & Fitness Center was born and construction started in 1983 for a 1984 opening.
“Since that day, Aerofit has been the epitome of fitness in the [Bryan/ College Station] area and a place where sick people can get better, broken hearts can heal, and obese people can transform their bodies,” says Galindo.
In 1999, Galindo sold Aerofit to his management team. Aerofit owners Kathy Langlotz and Larry Isham, who have been with the company since the mid 1980s, continue the drive to offer facilities where the first priority is improving member health.
Galindo is president and CEO of The Galindo Group, which includes some 14 different businesses. Galindo says he has the energy required to run a large, successful corporation because he exercises daily. Galindo lists the wealth of benefits that go along with being active with number one being mental health.
“Lots of people go through heartache and dark periods of existence at some point in their life,” he says. “Running stimulates metabolism in the brain, which allows it to fight off depression and other sad and lonely feelings.”
Galindo also loves to run because it is a great defense against Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s and some cancers. “One brother came down with Parkinson’s and my family has genes for Alzheimer’s,” he says. “Running helps me directly put these diseases further off in the future.” Galindo was hospitalized for a month recovering from prostate cancer surgery just a year ago but has returned to full health.
Between marathons, Galindo enjoys participating in different half marathons and 10K races to keep up with training and to stay in good running shape. Also high on his list of benefits of staying fit is the ability to continue working and to have more confidence in life from a trim, youthful appearance.
“Make fitness a lifestyle for yourself,” says Galindo as advice to those seeking better overall health. “You will develop a willpower to accomplish whatever you want.”
