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Dr. Andy Baldwin interviewed by The Examiner: "Part 3: public service, triathlons & lessons learned from dad"

August 9, 2009 (Washington, DC) U.S. NAVY Doctor, Humanitarian, Triathlete and TV Personality Dr. Andy Baldwin was interviewed by The Examiner and discussed post-"Bachelor" public service, triathlons & lessons learned from dad.

This October, Dr. Andy Baldwin will co-lead a bicycle trip across the state of Pennsylvania, raising awareness for childhood obesity. His father, former Pennsylvania Senator Roy Baldwin, will join him on the 416-mile ride.

Starting in Pittsburgh and ending in Philadelphia, participants will raise awareness and build a following to rally around the cause of preventing childhood obesity.

Pennsylvania Health Ride
“The bike trip really came out of the work I’ve been doing with the U.S. Surgeon General and his initiative against childhood overweight and obesity,” Dr. Baldwin says. As part of the program, Dr. Baldwin leads workshops at elementary schools across the country and meets with government leaders and community members to help promote health and wellness in each region.

Spreading the word about the Pennsylvania Health Ride, Dr. Baldwin hopes the buzz will keep people talking about fitness, leading to future change and the community working together. “We want to make sure people are really aware of the enormity of the issue of childhood obesity and what it spells for the future of chronic illness in our country,” he says. “And by taking some initiative and getting out there, everybody has a role they can play.”

Because of childhood obesity, Dr. Baldwin tells groups that the current generation of children will likely not live to be as old as their parents did. “With the innovation and technology that we have as a nation, that should just not be the case.”

As evidence of the damaging American lifestyle, Dr. Baldwin cites his recent medical mission to Central and South America. “Ironically enough, they set a good example for the United States,” he says. “Socioeconomically, they are almost forced to lead a life which is more preventive. They don’t have automated technology and cars in some areas. They need to walk places to where they’re going, tend the fields and grow fresh foods. And they don’t have access to that processed food.”

Even with Central and South American patients in their 80s and 90s, Dr. Baldwin says he didn’t see much diabetes or obesity. He kept a detailed blog about his medical mission with “Continuing Promise 2009.”
Read Dr. Baldwin's blog about the medical mission

Upon returning from overseas, Dr. Baldwin feels he has an even better perspective on the overweight issue. “We don’t really have anyone to blame,” he says. “In this world that we live in now where everyone can be apathetic and point the finger—that’s not the solution. It’s to look at yourself in the mirror and to step up and be a role model for yourself, your children and your family.”

Racing for Change
In August, Dr. Baldwin is participating in a celebrity triathlon to raise funds for Tag the World, a foster organization where participants will run side by side with foster kids.

“It’s cool to go back to do a triathlon that benefits something,” he says. “You’re not just doing it for yourself—you’re doing it for other people. It’s about mentorship and helping those that are less fortunate.”

Dr. Baldwin looks forward being back in Hawaii, which he called home for over three years while serving with the U.S. Navy. “It’s an island, so everybody knows you,” he says. “It’s basically like one big family.”

Got Your Back
Getting to know many of his fellow servicemen and women in Hawaii, Dr. Baldwin learned more about what a family is all about. When some of his friends lost their lives in service to the country, he got the idea to start the Got Your Back Network, a support system for families of fallen soldiers.

“It really lit a fire under me because of what I saw and the effect it had on the families that were left behind,” he says. “Growing up without (in most cases) a father figure and the added responsibility that puts on a widow, I just found myself going in there and helping out. And I said we just needed to do this on a larger scale and say, ‘We’ve got your back. How can we help?’

“There have been over 6,000 casualties in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom,” Dr. Baldwin says. “The main vision I have with the Got Your Back Network is to have a place where people can go no matter what they need.”

Through events put on by Dr. Baldwin’s foundation, he’s developed relationships with the children and families. “They become friends of yours and you get to learn their stories. It’s just been wonderful, considering the people involved and the people you meet that also want to help.”

Growing up Baldwin
When it comes to public service, Dr. Baldwin says he’s learned a lot from his father, a two-term senator for Pennsylvania. In fact, when the Navy doctor was awarded the Medal of Honor from the Daughters of the American Revolution, he says he was most proud to have his dad there.

“My father is a huge hero of mine and taught me from a young age the importance of service,” Dr. Baldwin says. “That’s how we were raised.”

Growing up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the Baldwins didn’t have a swimming pool in their community. “People wanted to swim, so my father went out and convened a community meeting,” he says. Soon enough, his father had raised enough support to build the public pool.

“My father’s just a true leader,” Dr. Baldwin says. “I’ve learned a lot from him.”

Triathlon Tips
The endurance to keep going has helped Dr. Andy Baldwin come out on top in rigorous triathlon events. What’s his secret?

“I think the biggest thing is to sign up and pay your entry fee,” Dr. Baldwin says. “That’ll get you to show up on race day.”

The U.S. Navy doctor and avid athlete advises anyone interest in finishing a triathlon to commit to a training plan. “Do it with a friend, or do it with a charity group,” he says. “That way you’re accomplishing a goal but are also helping others. When you cross that finish line, you’ll get the bug and want to do more and more and more.”

Dr. Baldwin says it’s really about getting over that hump and leaving what’s comfortable and routine in your life. “It’s about saying ‘I need to make a change. It’s for the betterment of my health and to be a good role model for my children.’ And to do that—to get out of your comfort zone and take a risk—you’ll feel great.”

Whether you’re finishing the triathlon with friends or family, for a good cause or on your own, Dr. Baldwin says the feeling of completing the race is contagious. “When you do that, the best thing to do is to motivate and inspire someone else to do it as well.”

In September, Dr. Baldwin plans to make a return appearance at the Malibu Triathlon. “Proceeds for that go to the L.A. Children’s Hospital, another good cause,” he says. Last year, Dr. Baldwin pulled out a victory in the celebrity division over Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Lopez and William H. Macy.

About Dr. Andy Baldwin
U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Andrew Baldwin, M.D. is a Physician, Humanitarian, and Navy Diver at the Navy's Bureau of Medicine and Surgery in Washington, D.C. where he serves as a spokesman and advocate for Navy medicine. Additionally as an Ironman Triathlete, and National Health/Fitness Specialist he assists the U.S. Surgeon General with his initiative "Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future" - a National program combating childhood overweight and obesity.

LCDR Baldwin was born is Lancaster, Pennsylvania where he was Valedictorian of his high school class, an All-American swimmer, and was the ESPN national scholar/athlete of the year in 1995. After receiving a full Navy ROTC scholarship to Duke University, he chose to attend the prestigious school and pursue a pre-med curriculum. Baldwin swam as a varsity athlete throughout his undergraduate career and graduated with honors as a student-athlete in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and was commissioned into the United States Navy. Baldwin pursued his dream of becoming a physician, by enrolling and completing medical school at the University of California - San Francisco School of Medicine. After graduating in 2003, Baldwin completed a year internship in General Surgery at Naval Medical Center San Diego, and went on to serve his operational duty in the Navy as an Undersea Medical Officer.

He completed Navy Dive School and Undersea medical training and spent a three-year tour in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii with Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit ONE. While stationed in Hawaii, Dr. Baldwin deployed to the Philippines, Thailand, Laos, Singapore, Cambodia, and the Republic of Palau on various diving, recovery and humanitarian missions.

Upon moving to California, Baldwin took up cycling, and with his past running and swimming prowess was able to put them all together in a sport new to him - triathlon. He completed his first triathlon in 2001 with Team in Training, combining sport and charity for the first time, and finished atop the podium. He was hooked. Baldwin achieved his childhood dream in 2002 when he qualified for and completed the Ironman Triathlon World Championships in Hawaii. Baldwin has since been named to the All-Navy Triathlon Team five times, been a three time U.S.A. Triathlon All-American, and competed internationally in numerous Half-Ironman and Ironman events. He is an eight-time Ironman finisher, and believes firmly in the motto "Anything is Possible!"

Among his numerous acknowledgements, Dr. Baldwin has been honored on the Washington D.C. Most Influential People under 40 list in 2009, the prestigious Daughters of the American Revolution’s Medal of Honor in 2009, and Outside Magazine's Top 100 Influential People of the World list in 2006 for the humanitarian work he did in Laos on a military mission where he treated over 600 Laotians in remote villages.

Dr. Baldwin is a highly regarding speaker on health and wellness and motivating youth. In 2009, Dr. Baldwin provided expert testimony before a U.S. Senate Committee panel regarding youth wellness and prevention through healthy behavior along side Former Governor Mike Huckabee. He also delivered a keynote speech to the American College of Cardiology’s executive leadership board related to the importance of communicating with today’s young patients. Also in 2009, Baldwin motivated over 3,000 youth during the Global Youth Rally at the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Idaho. And October 2009 will mark the official 3rd Annual Dr. Andy Baldwin Youth Fitness day in Honolulu.

Baldwin has been featured in numerous media outlets including Men’s Health Magazine, GQ Magazine, Runners World, and Triathlete. His television appearances are extensive including interviews on Good Morning America, The View, and FOX News as well as a special guest appearance on ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition. Dr. Baldwin was also the star of ABC hit show, “The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman”.

While serving as a Navy doctor, he remains active in his athletic and charitable pursuits. Baldwin is founder of the "Got Your Back Network" (www.GotYourBackNetwork.org), a nonprofit organization that raises money to support families of fallen soldiers. Got Your Back provides help in funding and liaison to services that the children and families may need in areas such as tutoring, counseling, mentorship, education, athletics and healthcare. In 2008, Dr. Baldwin delivered a keynote speech alongside Ross Perot at the 'Time of Remembrance,' an event which honors families of fallen soldiers, at the National Mall, near the base of the Washington Monument. Dr. Baldwin also spoke at the 2009 Heroes Red, White & Blue Inaugural Ball honoring military families and wounded service members.

Dr. Andy Baldwin has been the sole celebrity charity fundraiser for numerous charities. In 2009, he was the celebrity that helped raise $200,000 for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN).  Also in 2009, Dr. Baldwin lent his celebrity to the Lions' Clubs efforts raising over $100,000 for the UC-Davis Pediatric Level 1 Trauma Center in Sacramento.  Dr. Baldwin also joined other Hollywood celebrities, television network and movie studio employee teams for two consecutives years to raise over $2 million for the Los Angeles Children's Hospital. Similarly, Dr. Baldwin participated in the 2009 multi-network prime-time event,  "Stand Up 2 Cancer."

LCDR Baldwin has become increasingly involved with domestic and global humanitarian projects. He used his medical and Spanish language skills this summer aboard USNS COMFORT as part of Continuing Promise 2009 delivering care to those in need in Central and South America.

For more information on Dr. Andy Baldwin, visit his website at www.AndyBaldwin.com or Dr. Andy Baldwin's client page at Crossover Entertainment Group LLC or Dr. Andy Baldwin's foundation, Got Your Back Network.

About Crossover Entertainment Group, LLC
Crossover Entertainment Group, LLC is an entertainment industry multidisciplinary professional services firm, which through its three wholly-owned subsidiaries, specializes in: celebrity personal talent management services, development of media properties and branded entertainment corporate consulting. For more information, visit Crossover’s website at www.CrossoverEntertainment.com.