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Jay C. Kimiecik

Degrees

Ph.D., Kinesiology, University of Illinois
M.S., Kinesiology, Purdue University
B.S., Physical Education, SUNY Cortland

Research and Writing Interests

I am most interested in writing books/articles that explore novel ideas/stories for enhancing health behaviors and wellbeing via positive subjective experience (e.g., flow). My current interests probe the intersection between optimal well-being and healthy living within sustainable environments. I am also interested in the “why" and "how” of implementing activities and facilitating experiences to enhance sustainable well-being across the lifespan in various life contexts, such as worksites, schools, and universities.

Courses Taught

My approach to teaching is guided by narrative pedagogy, which uses story as the primary means for exploring course topics. Within narrative pedagogy the ºÚÁÏÉçÇø’s experience becomes part of—and shapes—the course content.

KNH 214 Global Well-Being

KNH 329 Psychological Perspectives of Health

KNH 402 Capstone—Expressive Writing in Health and Medicine

KNH 623 Qualitative Research Approaches in Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Health

KNH 654 Social Psychological Perspectives of Physical Activity (Physical Activity Motivation)

Publications

Books

Kimiecik, J., & Newburg, D. (2023). Exploring the concept of feel for wellbeing and performance: How we lost the felt experience, why it matters, and how to return to our natural way of being. Routledge/Taylor & Francis.  

Kimiecik, J. & Newburg, D. (2016). Losing weight in six days: A case of the White Horse Island life detective service (A Novel). 

Kimiecik, J., & Newburg, D. (2009). Runner as hero: The inner quest of becoming a runner or athlete or just about anything…at any age. Hamilton Press.

Kimiecik, J. (2002). The Intrinsic exerciser: Discovering the joy of exercise. Houghton Mifflin.

Book Chapters

Kimiecik, J., Vealey, R., Wright, E., & Morrison, D. (2018). As positive as it gets: Flow and enjoyment in sport and physical activity. In A. Brady & B. Grenville-Cleave (Eds.), Positive psychology in sport and physical activity: An introduction (pp. 115-128). Routledge.

Kimiecik, J. (2016). The eudaimonics of health: Exploring the promise of well-being for healthier living. In J. Vitterso (Ed.), Handbook of eudaimonic wellbeing (pp. 349-370). Springer.

Articles

Kimiecik, J. (2022). The feel of currere. Currere Exchange Journal, 6, 63-73. 

Kimiecik, J. (2022). The baseball boys of Onionville: A personal reflection on the rise and fall of small-town ball in a New York village. NINE: A Journal of Baseball History and Culture, 31, 8-16. DOI: 

Teas, E., Kimiecik, J., Ward, R., & Timmerman, K. (2022). Intuitive eating and biomarkers related to cardiovascular disease in older adults. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 54, 412-421. 

Kimiecik, J., Horn, T., Newman. T., & Kimiecik, C. (2020). Moving adolescents for a lifetime of physical activity: Shifting to interventions aligned with the third health revolution. Health Psychology Review, 14 (4), 486-503. DOI: 

Kimiecik, J., & Teas, E. (2020). Express your self: Exploring the nature of the expressive self and the health and well-being consequences of its restriction in a market society. Journal of Humanistic Psychology. doi:

Kimiecik, J., Ward, R. M., & Sohns (Teas), E. (2020). Back to basics: Tracing college ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs’ physical activity, diet, and alcohol and marijuana use back to well-being. American Journal of Health Studies, 34, 11-22.

Kimiecik, J., & Horn, T. (2017). The big motivational picture: Examining the relationship between positive intrapersonal processes and adolescent health-promoting behaviors. Applied Developmental Science, 21(1), 42-57. DOI: 

Kimiecik, J. (2016). Play ball?: Reflections on my father’s youth baseball experiences and why they matter. American Journal of Play, 8, 379-395.

Professional Service Activity

Co-Founder and Director, Employee Health and Well-Being, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø, 2005-2010.

Awards/Grants for Teaching/Research

Richard T. Delp Outstanding Faculty Award (2014-15), College of Education, Health and Society, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø.

Can becoming myself influence my health?: An exploratory quantitative and qualitative evaluation of a worksite-based well-being enhancement experience. Committee on Faculty Research (CFR). Grant to Promote Research, $2,500, 2011-2012.

The Well-Being Way: A School/Community Collaborative for Positive Youth Development and Healthy Living. WellPoint Foundation, $125,000.

In the News

Eudaimonia - with Jay Kimiecik

In this podcast episode, we explore the possibilities and merits of a philosophical concept called Eudaimonia. And how it could hold the key to greater health and well-being for almost everyone.

To find the feel of freedom, dance with discomfort - with Jay Kimiecik

On this episode, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø associate professor of Kinesiology Jay Kimiecik is back, along with college ºÚÁÏÉçÇø and Miami senior Alexandra Leurck ‘23, to share some personal stories and experiences about how finding our “feel” can lead to more freedom and fulfillment.

Feel lost? How to find your feel for life - with Jay Kimiecik

In this episode, ºÚÁÏÉçÇø associate professor Jay Kimiecik discusses how we lost the inner experience of being human and how it can be found again.