John Acquaviva, PhD

The Body as a Gift: A Catholic’s Guide to a Better Body Image  ( for men's or women's retreats and conferences)

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Society has been very effective on letting people know what the body is for, but God has something to say about the meaning and purpose of the body too. This talk will begin by addressing the variety of reasons for today’s hysteria concerning body size, weight, and body manipulation, and will conclude with a powerful discussion on how our Catholic faith, and in particular how John Paul II’s Theology of the Body can heal our body issues.  This presentation can be designed to address young adults, women or men.

 

 

Sport and Virtue (for Catholic athletes, coaches, Catholic schools, youth groups and men's and women's conferences)

In 2005, the Vatican announced the creation of the Office of Church and Sport, a council developed to directly address the role of the athlete, coaches, parents and administrators in all aspects of sport and exercise. All participants have been granted the responsibility to maintain a certain level of integrity and morality concerning the game and their bodies. This discussion will specifically address unsportsmanlike behavior, illegal supplement use, and the tendency of athletes to glorify themselves instead of God. The message from the Office of Church and Sport will facilitate the latter portion of this presentation.

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The Body as a Gift: A Teen Catholic’s Guide to a Better Body Image (for youth gatherings and retreats)

Society has been very effective on letting people know what the body is for, and the various forms of media start a relentless pursuit on people at a very young age. In many cases, before parents and the Catholic teachings can take hold, the media convinces too many teenagers that specific body type, size and weight are needed for success, friendship and love. Too often this begins a life-long battle of poor body issues. By using John Paul II’s Theology of the Body as the basis, this presentation will conclude with a powerful discussion on how our Catholic faith can heal the many feelings concerning body distortion.

 

 

A Catholic Parent's Guide to Forming Your Kid’s Body Image Through God’s Eyes (for Catholic moms and dads)

Children are no different than adults when it comes to exposure to and being effected by the media and society. But Catholic parents are not powerless in these situations. This talk will begin by discussing the numerous outlets and the impact they have on our children and will address specific strategies for the parent that will minimize the body image hysteria experienced by too many young people. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body and the sacraments will support much of this presentation.  This presentation

is designed for mothers, fathers or both.

 

How Exercise Glorifies God…and Keeps us Healthy and Feeling Blessed (for all ages and occasions)

This talk will address the various components of fitness (cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body composition) and how addressing each directly impacts our relationship with others, our ability to serve God, and curtails the negative body image feelings in which most adults struggle.

 

 

Spirituality and Wellness (for Christans of all ages and occasions)

Too many times we fail to make a meaningful connection between our service to God and our bodily health. This presentation will focus on the various aspects of wellness (physical, emotional, spiritual, social and intellectual) and how the care and development of each component directly relates to God’s plan for each one of us. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body and St Paul’s writings will be the basis for this talk.

 

 

Strategies to Stay with Your Nutrition and Fitness Plan (for Christans of all ages and occasions)

Fifty percent of all who begin an exercise program or diet will quit that plan within the first six months. Because of this, people need assistance in their noble efforts to change their behavior. This presentation will provide specific strategies that have been supported in behavior-change research that will help everyone who struggles with the tendency of exercise or diet relapse.