Dr. Ben Mueller, an Icon of Change in the United States of America

Icons of Change

Icons of Change International Awards 2025  Dr. Ben Mueller Founder, The Basic Ten: The Simple Way to Go from Couch Potato to Fit Author of Attain Peak Running Through Cross-training, The Operating Manual for Great Health, 30 Minutes to Peak Thinking, Attain Peak Referee Fitness, and The Basic Ten Lecturer, National and Regional Health, Education, and Athletics Conferences Instructor, United States Soccer Federation Referee Program Mathematics Content Creator, Barnes & Noble Education Recipient, DeKalb County Youth Drug Prevention Award (2010, 2013) National All-American Athlete, National Congress of State Games Educational Doctorate, Concordia University Chicago  SDG Focus: Sustainable Development Goal 3 – Good Health and Well-being Champion of Accessible Fitness, Mental Wellness, and Whole-Person Development  From the quiet streets of Sheboygan, Wisconsin to national platforms of sport, education, and wellness, Dr. Ben Mueller’s life exemplifies the transformative power of personal health and the deep connection between physical fitness, mental resilience, and lifelong learning.  Rooted in the belief that health is foundational to every human endeavor, Dr. Mueller has spent over two decades building bridges between the worlds of athletics, education, and personal development. His work reflects the heart of Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being—empowering individuals and communities to achieve optimal health through movement, mindset, and meaning.  As the creator of The Basic Ten program, a simple, time-efficient fitness method designed for busy professionals, Dr. Mueller has helped thousands of people reclaim their physical well-being in as little as 15 minutes a day. This innovative model—grounded in both academic research and real-world practicality—has redefined how office workers, educators, and parents integrate health into their daily lives.  Dr. Mueller’s advocacy for well-being extends far beyond fitness. A passionate educator, he became one of the youngest college professors in the nation at age 24, teaching developmental mathematics to students facing high levels of anxiety. His groundbreaking doctoral research on the effects of physical activity on student anxiety has provided educators with new tools for supporting learners’ mental health. His instructional math videos, created in partnership with Barnes & Noble Education, have reached millions, making academic success more accessible and less intimidating for learners worldwide.  Equally impactful is Dr. Mueller’s work in youth and community health. He has delivered hundreds of keynote speeches and lectures at marathons, coaching clinics, school conferences, and national youth programs, always emphasizing that health is not a luxury—it is a right and a responsibility. For his contributions to drug prevention and youth wellness, he received the DeKalb County Youth Drug Prevention Award in both 2010 and 2013.  An elite athlete in his own right, Dr. Mueller is a na

Transcript

00:00Greetings, my name is Dr. Ben Miller and I'm proud to receive the Icon of Change Award.

00:04I've been a math teacher for the last 22 years, teaching both high school and college math classes.

00:09At the age of 24, I was one of the youngest professors in the country, teaching developmental math classes to college students,

00:15helping them overcome math anxiety.

00:18I'm a national caliber athlete. I've competed in the State Games of America and the National Masters Games,

00:25winning gold medals in both track and field and swimming.

00:28In 2022, I was elected to be the flag bearer for the State of Illinois and lead the Illinois athletes in the parade and to the opening ceremonies.

00:36That was definitely an unforgettable experience and something that was very honorable to do.

00:41I've published six books. The books are about teaching, exercise, health, and running.

00:48One of my books, called The Basic Ten, has helped professionals get fit with workouts in as little as 15 to 20 minutes per day.

00:54That program has been very beneficial to help professionals of all ages and fitness levels get fit and stay fit.

01:03I was given the Drug Prevention Award for DeKalb County in Illinois twice for recognizing my accomplishments in helping youth overcome peer pressure

01:15and helping the community stay drug-free as much as possible.

01:19My dissertation was a groundbreaking dissertation on the effects of exercise on math anxiety for college students,

01:27and it has paved the way for students that have math anxiety and feel stressed and anxious doing math to be successful.

01:35In addition to this, I've spoken to audiences all around the United States in the areas of fitness and health and self-improvement.

01:45I was the keynote speaker for the Miami-Dade School District's Synergy Conference,

01:49which is a beginning-of-the-year conference that the school district puts on to energize teachers and administrators.

01:55I also work as a referee coach for the United States Soccer Federation,

02:01and I help identify referees that are ready to take on the next level and get to the professional level of refereeing.

02:08I also mentor new referees and help develop their skills as well.

02:12It's an honor to receive this award. Thank you very much.

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