Augie Nieto

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Augie Nieto (born Augustine L. Nieto II in 1958) is the founder and retired chief executive of Life Fitness and the chairman of Octane Fitness. He and his wife, Lynne live in Carona Del Mar, California and have four children.

In September 2005, he received the fitness industries top honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award.

He is noted for fighting against ALS by creating "Augie's Quest", which he started by teaming with the Muscular Dystrophy Association after his diagnosis.^[1] "Augie's Quest" has raised over $30 million dollars in funds for research into the disease.^[2]

Battle with ALS

In March 2005, Augie was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Despite the limitations of the disease, Augie continues to lead an active life. Drawing strength from his family, friends and a flood of supportive e-mails, Augie maintains a positive attitude. After diagnosis, he endured an initial bout of despair. He quickly rebounded though and teamed with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and created "Augie's Quest" with the sole purpose of finding a cure for ALS. The team he assembled to fight the disease and find a cure hold to one mission: Identify the genetic basis of the disease in order to seek a treatment.

In addition to numerous honors, Nieto was given the President's Award by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists in 2008. Then-NAHJ President Rafael Olmeda cited Nieto as someone who, without fanfare, put a "Latino face on an American story."

As well, Augie was appointed to the board of directors of DynaVox.^[3]

Five For Fighting Song

In 2009, John Ondrasik, Five for Fighting, wrote a song in Nieto's honor to help raise funds for Augie's Quest.

"Augie Nieto"
Augie nieto's got a story to tell you
Though it's hard to hear him speak
He caught lou gehrig rounding third one day
Now he's happy as he'll ever be

He's running through the night
He'll die before he sleeps
Augie's found what i've been looking for

Augie nieto can tell you he loves you
He's two wheels close to god
His captain lynn sailing by his side
He'll never leave you lost

Though his arms can't squeeze you tight
He'll hold you when you sleep
Augie's found what i've been looking for

Hey yeah hey yeah
Take it any way it goes
Hey yeah hey yeah
Open up your never mind
Open up your mind

Augie nieto has never been happier
You got to see to believe
He caught lou gehrig rounding third one day
Now he's carrying the whole team

It's not the breaths you take
It's how to breathe
Augie's found what i've been looking for

Augie's found what i've been looking for^[4]

References

1. ^ "Augie and Lynne Nieto Co-Chairs, MDA's ALS Division". MDA. http://www.als-mda.org/nietos.html. Retrieved 6 March 2012. 
2. ^ "Augie's Quest". http://augiesquest.org. Retrieved 6 March 2012. 
3. ^ http://www.pressreleasepoint.com/dynavox-mayerjohnson-names-augie-nieto-its-board-directors
4. ^ "Augie Nieto". Five For Fighting Lyrics. lyricsreg.com. http://www.lyricsreg.com/lyrics/five+for+fighting/Augie+Nieto/. Retrieved 6 March 2012. 

External links

• Augie Nieto, Wall Street Journal article on life with additional information about ALS
• Augie's Quest