Opening Statements
California judge empowers others to become fit and healthy
Photo of Sharon Chatman by Tony Avelar
Immediately, she embarked on a weight loss quest that included limiting her food intake and starting an exercise program. "My first goal was to walk to the corner and back. I did that for one week. The next week, I walked two blocks and back." Soon, the blocks turned into miles, and eventually Chatman was walking 10 miles a day.
The onetime basketball coach was so thrilled after completing her first 10K, she wore her medal on a date that night. (It now has pride of place in her chambers.) She has since shed more than 100 pounds and completed several marathons.
"I wanted other women to have that same elated feeling," Chatman explains about her motivation for forming the Red Power Divas fitness group. To eliminate as many barriers to fitness as possible, the group requires no fees, no fundraising and no pressure to run fast or to show up every day.
Founded in 2007 with 60 members, the Red Power Divas group today boasts more than 1,400 nationwide, including women (Divas), men (Divos) and children (FitKidz) of all ages, shapes, sizes and fitness levels. With the help of peer coaches, members enjoy weekly training sessions and monthly race events they enter as a team. Chatman's local group includes judges, probation officers, court staff, lawyers, clerks and Google employees, among others.
A 14-year court veteran who handles felony trials in the criminal division, Chatman says her work with the Red Power Divas has made her a better judge. "Most of what we do at the court is highly stressful. For me, this is the best stress relief."
This article originally appeared in the January 2015 issue of the ABA Journal with this headline: “Diva power! California judge empowers others to become fit and healthy”
