Background
Pritikin, born in Rockford, Illinois to a Jewish family, grew up as a child battling many speech and learning disabilities.
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Jon Pritikin
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Due to these disabilities, he was taken out of class and placed with children who were mentally handicapped. Jon, as said in one of his speeches, would always sit alone because nobody befriended him. Jon was told many times by his school mates and teachers that he would never make it and this also contributed to a troubled childhood.
In Junior High school, Jon became overweight which made his life even worse.
However, his perseverance made it possible for him to continue and go on to college. Even though he was on academic probation and applied to numerous schools, he was finally accepted to Bethany University in Scotts Valley, California.
Despite his speech impediment, Jon graduated from the university in 1995. After graduating, he found it possible for him to share his anti-bullying message in the United States and around the world.
He uses feats of strength as a tool to grab people"s attention then proceeds to deliver his message.
He started a non-profit organization in 1994 known as, "Feel the Power". This organization has enabled him to become a motivational speaker and speak to over 3,000,000 people worldwide. Jon is the current Guinness record holder for "the tightest circumference of two aluminum frying pans rolled together with his bare hands in less than 30 seconds."
Jon is also involved in an anti-steroid program known as South.W.A.T.S., which is an acronym for Sports With Alternatives to Steroids.
He, along with many other professional athletes are involved in this program and are an example to all by performing their sport at a high level without the use of illegal substances.
