For the 12^th consecutive year, global superstar and chiropractic supporter, and now Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger was the featured speaker at ICA's Symposium on Natural Fitness held March 5-6, 2004 in Columbus, Ohio.  Speaking to over 400 participants Governor Schwarzenegger told the crowd:

"I am honored to be back with you and to celebrate this great weekend once again.  We share a common mission, and that is health and fitness for everyone.  What a great partner the ICA is on this.  I look forward to doing this with the ICA for many years to come.

Many people have asked me why I would give up all of the benefits of being a movie star, the attention, the $30 million per movie, and also the freedom as a private citizen to become Governor of California.  I can tell you that being Governor is the best thing I could ever be doing because helping people, serving all of the people, and making a difference in peoples' lives means more to me than walking down a red carpet at another movie premiere.  It is just like what you do as chiropractors; make a difference by helping people heal and feel better, making it possible to live fuller lives.  This I know from my own experience with chiropractic and I am very grateful for what you have done for me and for so many millions of people around the world. 

It is also very important for me to give something back to the community because all that I have, all of my success, I owe to America and the opportunities that were made available to me in this great country.  When I saw California in such difficult circumstances, I had to do something about it personally, to try my best to find solutions and to help rebuild what is the greatest state in America.  We all need to recognize our responsibility to help those who need a little extra help from us.  As doctors I hope that you will reach out to those who need help from you, who might be having hard times, and do what you can to help them back to health and to let them know that your profession and the community cares about them as people. 

The 12^th Annual Symposium on Natural Fitness hosted hundreds of doctors of chiropractic from around the world, including doctors from 42 US States, five Canadian provinces as well as doctors from France, Norway, Portugal, The Netherlands and Australia. 

The 2004 program featured a powerful lineup of chiropractic speakers, including a keynote presentation by Dr. Tom Deters, former editor of Muscle & Fitness Magazine, and one of the profession's most gifted educators.  Dr. Mitch Mally teamed up with football great Roger Craig for an interactive presentation on performance enhancement through chiropractic, and Dr. Pete Gratale, ICA's Symposium host, presented a dynamic program on core strength training programs with diverse patient populations.  Noted resistance training authority Dr. Ken Kinakin shared clinical strategies for injury prevention and management with weight training, and Dr. Gerry Mattia presented on biomechanically directed exercise with chiropractic care, joined by Dr. Jeff Spencer, recognized for his work with Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong.

The ICA Symposium also featured guest appearances by legendary senior fitness expert Bob Delmontique, author of the best selling book Lifelong Fitness, and chiropractic advocate and wellness expert Bill Frank.  

ICA also again presented Governor Schwarzenegger with a significant donation to the "After School All Stars", the young people's program founded by Arnold in 1995, to provide after school activities and supervision for children across America.  In addition to the Association's donation, ICA arranged for Mr. Roger Craig to participate in a fundraising auction on March 5^th.  At that exciting event, hosted by Governor Schwarzenegger and also attended by Ohio Governor Robert Taft, Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman and other sports, civic and show business notables, a 49ers helmet, footballs and a team jacket autographed by Mr. Craig helped the After School All Stars to raise an additional $4,000 for their programs. 

Governor Schwarzenegger also met privately with a delegation of ICA leaders on the very difficult and much discussed workers compensation situation in California.  Dr. John Maltby, ICA's Western Regional Director, ICA's Assembly Representatives for California Dr. James Musick and Dr. Brian Porteous, as well as ICA Executive Director Ronald Hendrickson participated in what can only be characterized as positive, direct and productive talks.  Such discussions are part of ICA's on-going dialogue with the Governor and his senior representatives on a wide range of issues important to the chiropractic profession.