Former Navajo President after growing up as an athlete and outdoorsman Jonathan Nez After reaching 300 pounds, he woke up to good health, which sparked his passion for ultrarunning.

Jonathan Nez grew up in the small rural community of Shonto in Navajo County, which occupies the western part of the Navajo Nation in the northeastern corner of Arizona. The civil servant now lives in Flagstaff.

Growing up, Nezu was a runner on the cross-country team to get in shape for basketball. Basketball was the main focus of his athleticism. “Basketball is very popular in the country of India. As an adult, I went to school 32 miles away from Kayenta, Arizona, the gateway to Monument Valley. I played and graduated in 1993,” says Nez, who spent a lot of time playing and connecting with the outdoors.

“When I was a child, we did a lot of outdoor activities. When I was young, I did a lot of field farming in the countryside, which laid the foundation for my future in public service, health and wellness,” said the youngest of three sisters. says Nez. his deceased brother.

Growing up, the elders encouraged him to pursue higher education, experience the world, and take that information home to help his community and its people. Nez was inspired by his grandfather’s story. HT Donaldwas a member of Congress and former president of the Shonto chapter of the Navajo National Council.

“When I introduce myself, I share my clan and tell people who my grandparents and parents were. People will be amazed when you introduce them.It really inspired me and that’s why I became a civil servant and became known for helping people and helping people.”Northern Arizona Nez, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration degree from the state, says. University. While working on his doctorate, “My community called me to be the elected leader. I started my career as a politician. He remained in that position for two years.

Jonathan Nez (center) enjoying a hike with his family.

“My goal was to become a member of parliament, like my grandfather. We have legislative bodies that are like state representatives or legislators in our country,” Nez said. After serving on the Navajo Council for more than eight years, the then 32-year-old served as Vice President for four years. He will serve as president of the Navajo Nation from 2019 to 2023.

“In the early days of my election, I didn’t take myself very seriously. , I had a lot of time to enjoy the fast food popular with the Navajo,” says Nez. Fast food may be convenient for quick pick-ups and road trips, but the Navajo nation has a food desert, and even locals don’t have easy access to healthy food.

Mr. Nez gained weight during his first term as a congressional delegate, eventually reaching 300 pounds. “I am an MP, telling and encouraging people to do healthy things and take care of themselves,” he recalls.

At a youth event, he was giving a presentation to children on topics such as self-care, balanced diet, and exercise when a student raised his hand and asked, , eat right and exercise. But every time I see you, you’re getting bigger and bigger,” Nezu recalls.

“Young people are bold and tell the truth. Your first reaction is to feel offended and sad. I may not realize it, but others will see it, and I’m determined to get active again and take care of my body,” says Nez.

After an exchange about weight, in 2012 he started walking (but still couldn’t run) and made a list of progressive goals. Goal 1: He runs a mile without stopping. Goal 2: Run 5 kilometers non-stop. Goal 3: Run a marathon.

Jonathan Nez (front row and center) Early in running.

Within a month, he had lost 10 pounds. A full year later, his weight had dropped to 200 pounds. After his first year, his weight dropped even faster, especially the more he ran.

In 2013, his political agenda paralleled his personal efforts to get healthy, including the Healthy Dining Act, which imposes a 2% tax on unhealthy foods.

“We have high rates of diabetes, cancer and heart disease. This tax was a way to increase our own health needs and self-reflection. It will be returned to the branch,” Nez said.

The Navajo Nation has 110 chapters and uses tax dollars for community health and wellness projects such as building trails, farming initiatives, and hosting runs and walks.

“We started running all over the Navajo. Our country is very beautiful, but some areas are off-limits to the public. We were able to get people out and enjoy our hometown,” says Nez. He also helped reauthorize the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) subsidy programme, hosted food summits, organized farmers’ markets, and started to see a decline in diabetes rates across the board. I was.

“The Navajo Nation sets an example for other tribes through our wellness projects. As the largest nation in the country, we embrace sovereignty by regrowing our fruits and vegetables and feeding ourselves. With 27,000 square miles of space, you can grow a lot of crops, and I had a vision of being the largest producer of indigenous foods in the Southwest. It’s not food or organic food, it’s traditional seeds that have been passed down from generation to generation,” says Nez.

Ultimately, the servant leader and politician achieved his goal of running consecutive marathons, then 50 km, 50 miles and 100 km. Some of his favorite races include: Silverton Alpine Marathon 50k — where he finished 13th overall — moab red hot ultra and the Behind the Rocks 50 miles.

Jonathan Nez (right) in his first Ultra.

He was registered in September 2014 Stagecoach line 100 miles from Flagstaff to Grand CanyonHowever, tornado activity curtailed the race to 55k. “He was in the best shape of his life, the closest he has ever been to 100 miles from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon,” says Nez.

As president, my job got busier, I got more enthusiastic, and I couldn’t keep up with the 100-mile training block.

“I was trying to reach 100 miles, but my life has changed and political reasons may be an excuse. You can’t even run, ‘I mean running,’ says Nez.

At that stage, he also met the following ultrarunners: Scott JurekNez became a friend and learned about plant-based diets, which inspired him to become vegan more than five years ago. This diet allows him to recover faster and do more workouts in a row, so he can run even longer afterwards. “It moves better,” says Nez.

Nez, now 48, quit politics this year to start a consulting business with his wife. Fepheria NezCalled Nez Consulting, the company supports a wide range of national, state, and tribal projects, from federal funding proposals to speaking engagements for corporate diversity training.

Now that he’s out of the office, Nez can once again train for ultra-long distances, and his goal is to complete the 100-mile run. Now his training is up to 20 miles a week and he does long runs of 40 miles a week. He has set a goal of running 50 miles a day by September. He has also helped film a documentary where he runs 400 miles from Fort His Sumner to Window His Rock and is still training to complete it.

The sentimental and historic route commemorates the signing of the 1868 treaty that allowed the Navajo to return to their homeland. Prior to that, more than 10,000 Navajo were forced to migrate east on the Long Walk to the Bosque Redondo Reservation at Fort Sumner, where many died of hunger and disease.

Jonathan Nez (second from left) during the 400-mile commemorative run.

“It was a sad time in our history. [Our people] I traveled over 400 miles from Navajo Nation to Fort Sumner, where I was held captive for four years before returning home. Five years ago, some of our long-distance runners ran 400 miles to mark the 150th anniversary of the Treaty. We followed in the footsteps of our ancestors, returning from Fort Sumner,” says Nez. He ran the full distance with 50-mile segments each day.

Recently, Nez supported, paced and cheered on several Indigenous runners. Cocodona 250 miles: Eli Netzosie, Greg Secateroand Keren Romaesteva.

Jonathan Nez (left) stopped for a quick selfie while walking at Cocodona 250 Miles.

Beyond personal and physical well-being, Nezu is driven by outdoor fun and introspection on the trail. For him, movements help promote new ideas, some of which may be implemented in politics and government. “Running in the Navajo has allowed me to see places many people have never seen before. Running expands my backyard and shows my kids how beautiful our land is. ,” he says.

Despite moving out of government, he remains passionate about the role the Navajos play in their country and tribe. “The Navajo are reclaiming our original way of life,” Nez said. “Running is our culture and ritual, and eating healthy food is part of our country.” will continue to promote health and wellness for the rest of your life. ”

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