Text of Letter To Oprah

On December 15, 2005, one week after notifying Oprah’s staff, I followed-up with the following letter to Oprah and others (see the "cc" at the end). 

All letters were sent on letterhead so contact info was made available. No responsive contact was made. No letters were returned to me so I assume they were received.

Here is the letter:

Dear Ms. Winfrey,

I am frequently asked by clients and potential clients to respond to fitness advice they have received from the “experts” appearing on your show. “Experts” the caliber of Jorge Cruise about whom I contacted your producers and Mr. Bennett one week ago.

With rare exception, I am unable to find any scientific basis to the advice. Quite to the contrary, the advice, if followed, will only result in time lost, money wasted and continuing unfitness.

Unfitness is a problem that siphons resources from sick care, social services, civic projects, etc. Without applying solutions based in fact, it will remain out of control. You are uniquely situated to disseminate information about what a person really needs to do to become fitter, i.e., improve the quality of life.

I am asking permission to teach your staff a course in fitness. I will instruct them in the handful of proven scientific principles upon which any successful fitness program (i.e., weight management, aerobic conditioning and anaerobic conditioning) must be built. Attendees will learn how to analyze a fitness plan or product and determine if it can work or if it is hokum

Armed with this knowledge, the good that you and those around you can do will be potentiated.

Thank you.

CC: Mr. Tim Bennett and Ms. Ellen Rakieten