Ryan Harrigan’s Philosophy Statement

Public health is something that has been important to me, coining from a county such as Duval, it’s easy
to see that we need help. I want people to be healthy, and I don’t think there is any denying that most
people would like to be healthy. With that thought in mind, it’s also easy to recognize that wanting
something and achieving it are often two very different things. I would like to help people achieve good
health rather that’s through eating healthy, exercise, or education. I know creating behavior change is
hard enough, but without guidance it can nearly be impossible. That being said, I wish someone was
there to help guide me, rather that was making the decision to eat healthy, lose weight, and exercise
outside of playing baseball, any type of guidance would’ve been appreciated. I had a hard time learning
what was right by myself, and I’m still learning and researching till this day about nutrition and exercise
specifically. In my younger years I think I often overtrained and under ate, and I think I would’ve
prevented injuries, and maintained a healthier relationship with exercise and food if I had guidance.
Since then, and especially since COVID I’ve sought out that mental aspect of health that has made me
realize that I don’t have to feel burned out after work outs, that I can eat more, and that I can miss a
workout occasionally if it benefits my relationships. I believe in a good balance now, and in the fact that
health is more than the body. Many things come into play such as the environment, emotional well-
being, spiritual and emotional health, and education all play an important role in the behavior of people.
Knowing this, I especially care for people who are in an environment that makes it hard to achieve these
good physical and emotional health, as I have two very close friends who have these type of issues
specifically. After having a conversation with one of my friends I found that he believes that he needs
certain things, and can’t achieve certain things like physical health until he has money to live somewhere
he feels safe, and has better access to mental health services. He explained to me that he would
probably chose to do certain things like exercise, and smoke less marijuana, if he were in a position
where he felt like he didn’t need it, and had better access to equipment. He also included the fact that
he has to work fifty plus hours a week to afford most things, and that his insurance isn’t the best since
he’s contracted. I find his situation to be upsetting, as he is just one person I believe should have better
access to general health services. I think a good portion of the population feels like him, and I think
everyone deserves at least the knowledge of good and bad health decisions that could directly impact
their lives. Often people have only a small idea of the role that risk factors play in their potential life and
health outcomes. For instance my friend only thought about the risk of smoking marijuana involving his
lungs and heart, but other things such as accidents are more likely while under the influence, the
undocumented effects of prolonged marijuana use, and the fact that it effects his hunger, putting him
overweight. Had I not brought up those points, he may have never understood that it has more effects
on his health, and I think that shows how much people may need more education about their behaviors.
Overall I love having discussions about health with people, as I think everyone’s health is important, and
I would like helping an individual make positive changes as much as I’d like to help a group of people
too. I’d be very interested in helping educate people on things like protective factors of healthy eating,
exercise, and sleep. I’d also be interested in things that deal with STDs, smoking, drinking, and substance
abuse. I think it’s important that people are informed as much as they can be so that they are able to
make better decisions around their health. I would also love to help people receive services that could
potentially improve their health, or aid in risk management, and hopefully risk reduction. Within a year I
hope to have my degree, and applicable experience, along with a CHES certification so that I can help
educate people on health. I would then like to continue my education, hopefully getting into physical
therapy, as it’s often overlooked in the fitness community, and it is a way I can help someone one on
one.