Jim Fixx Jim Fixx James Fuller "Jim" Fixx (April 23, 1932 – July 20, 1984) was an American who wrote the 1977 best-selling book "The Complete Book of Running". He is credited with helping start America's fitness revolution, popularizing the sport of running and demonstrating the health benefits of regular jogging. He died of a heart attack while jogging at 52 years of age. His genetic predisposition for heart problems and other previous lifestyle factors may have caused his heart attack. Born in New York City, Fixx was a graduate of Trinity School in New York and Oberlin College in Ohio. His
Jim Fixx father, Calvin Fixx, was an editor at "Time" who worked with Robert Cantwell and Whittaker Chambers. Fixx was a member of the high-IQ club, Mensa, and published three collections of puzzles: "Games for the Super-Intelligent", "More Games for the Super-Intelligent", and "Solve It!" The back flap of his first book says: "... He spent his time running on the roads and trails near his home, training for the Boston Marathon." Fixx started running in 1967 at age 35. He weighed 214 pounds (97 kg) and smoked two packs of cigarettes per day. Ten years later, when his book, "The Complete