In this episode of The Lady K Podcast, host Katy McKinney, Founder and Head of School for Lafayette Academy: A Classical School, a Hillsdale College Curriculum School in Lake St. Louis, MO, dedicated to shaping knowledgeable, virtuous, and independent thinkers, sits down with John Schweizer—Lafayette’s PE teacher and upper-level math instructor—to talk about the transformative power of physical education.

Located in St. Charles County, Missouri, Lafayette Academy serves families from Lake St. Louis, Wentzville, O’Fallon, St. Peters, and the Greater St. Louis area. John shares his family’s journey from public school to classical education, the impact of losing focus on character education, and the surprising role that a daily fitness habit can play in academic success, emotional resilience, and lifelong well-being.

From ancient Greek gymnasiums to JFK’s call for an American fitness revival, John draws connections between history, research, and real-life results. He also reveals Lafayette Academy’s exciting new plan: 20 minutes of intentional, ability-based physical activity every single morning—for students, faculty, and maybe even parents.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How John first discovered classical education—and why it changed everything for his family.

How his childhood PE teacher inspired a lifelong passion for fitness.

What ancient Greeks, La Sierra High School in the 1960s, and modern neuroscience have in common.

How daily exercise affects attention, mood, and learning speed.

The details of Lafayette Academy’s new daily PE initiative for K–12 students in St. Charles County.

For more information about Lafayette Academy, A Classical School please visit https://lafayetteacademy.org/