Former Paralympic athlete Kevin Saunders is pushing his wheelchair across the US in a 2,000-mile health and fitness tour known as The Big Push.

Saunders started pushing his wheelchair from Canada to Mexico as a part of his 50-state health and fitness tour of America in June. The journey began in Mexicantown, outside Detroit, Michigan, and will end in Laredo, Texas, at the US and Mexico border.

A former member of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports under Presidents George H. Bush and Bill Clinton, Saunders’ mission is to draw attention to the need for communities throughout the US to focus on lifelong health and fitness.

Along the way, Saunders is meeting government officials as well as business, educational, health and fitness leaders to establish a community-based grass-roots approach to achieving a healthier nation. He will deliver his message to businesses, hospitals and schools and will also present awards to the school or school district in each city that exemplifies leadership in health and fitness.

“I’m pushing my chair across the country to demonstrate that if I can the overcome obstacles that stand in my way, anyone can,” said Saunders.

“I firmly believe that the battle against obesity and unhealthy lifestyles will be won in the local communities. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is know where to get started. That’s why we’ve assembled resources for communities to begin launching effective health and fitness initiatives immediately.”

The tour, which is operated by the non-profit Kevin Saunders Health and Fitness Foundation, is being supported by corporate donations. All profits from the sponsorships will be donated to the American Heart Association, the YMCA and the American Diabetes Association.