Augie Nieto '80 P'08, cofounder and former president of Life Fitness and a leader in ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) research, and his wife, Lynne, will was recently featured on NBC's The Today Show to discuss his new book, Augie's Quest, One Man's Journey from Success to Significance, as well as their leadership in finding a cure for ALS.
The Wednesday, Nov. 7 appearance was followed later that evening with an Augie's Quest book launch emceed by Today Show's Natalie Morales at the Ritz Carlton Battery Park in New York City, with special guest Mitch Albom, author of Tuesdays with Morrie, who wrote the forward to Nieto's new book. The evening also will include a performance by John Ondrasik of the music group Five for Fighting.
Co-authored by T.R. Pearson, Augie's Quest, One Man's Journey from Success to Significance, (Bloomsbury, November 2007), tells the story of a fitness pioneer whose ALS diagnosis at the age of 47 leads him to create a new and revolutionary model for private medical research and development. In partnership with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Nieto set up a foundation, Augie's Quest, and lab, to coordinate and oversee ALS research and testing across the globe. By centralizing operations and championing an entrepreneurial approach to medical research, Nieto and his team have achieved remarkable results in less than two years.
Nieto, currently chairman of Octane Fitness, is co-chair, with his wife, Lynne, of the Muscular Dystrophy Association's ALS Division.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, governor of California, has called Nieto "so much more than just a successful businessman.
"You are the greatest husband, a great father, and a terrific friend. So, I also want you to know that the strength and courage that you are showing as you face the greatest challenge of your life, the battle with ALS, is an inspiration to all of us."
For more information, please visit www.augiesquest.org.