The Sunnyvale Sun
Community
Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Weight training instructor Joe Maemone helps spot Travis Johnson, 16, while he benches 300 pounds and earns a spot in The Kings Academy 300 Club. The last time a student achieved this weightlifting feat was in 2005.
Teacher helps develop strong bodies, mind
By Erin Hussey
Twenty years ago Joe Maemone had a thriving chiropractic practice in both Willow Glen and Campbell. He loved his patients, worked hard hours and enjoyed his work.
But when his first son, Anthony, died before his second birthday, Maemone knew it was time to re-evaluate things.
"I was busy being successful and then once he passed away, I really changed my life," says Maemone.
He sold his practice and went back to college. "I really felt a calling to teach kids."
In 1996, he started teaching human anatomy and physiology at The King's Academy in Sunnyvale and says he fell in love with teaching on the first day.
"I love the kids," says Maemone, who also teaches weight lifting as an elective.
"They breathe life into you. That's what I treasure the most about being here and instilling knowledge into their lives," says Maemone. "I want them to be wise guys, not in the negative sense, but to be people of wisdom."
Despite leaving his chiropractic practice, Maemone still practices and lives its philosophies.
"I focus my classes on how to take care of your body," he says. "God gave you this great gift, and you know, you only have one."
Maemone encourages his students, fellow teachers and parents to stay out of the middle aisles at grocery stores, eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and to take nutritional supplements, especially vitamins.
"All people should be taking supplements," says Maemone.
Because he is able to buy vitamins, protein powder and other supplements at wholesale, he can sell to The Kings Academy community for the same discounted price.
"I mean really, how many of us grow all of our own fruits and vegetables, have our own livestock and know what we are giving the animals that we are getting our milk from?"
When Maemone is not teaching or working out in the weight room with his students, he enjoys spending time with his wife Anita and the couple's three children, David, Jessica and Michelle. He has his own organic garden where he grows much of his family's produce and is very involved in his church.
But taking care of one's body physically isn't the only thing Maemone hopes his students learn.
"True health is having this sense of well being--physically, spiritually, emotionally, mentally and socially," he explains. "It isn't just the absence of disease. It's having a sense of vitality and focus."
Maemone also believes that discovering and following one's true calling and passion is equally important.
"God has given each of us gifts," he says. "That's the other thing I'm always asking kids; 'What's your passion?' Follow that, run with it, go for it."
