From Couch to Connection
A Pediatrician Mom’s Journey from Her Living Room to a Movement for Kids
Last week, I suited up in a superhero costume, clipped into two separate rappelling systems, and - with an awkward harness and a deep breath - backed off the edge of a 180 foot tall building.
Why? I was raising money for children’s health.
Why did it feel right? Because this is who I am.
People kept asking, “Weren’t you scared?” and saying “I could never do that.” But here’s the thing: I didn’t hesitate. I would do almost anything to help kids. It’s not just a job - it’s my calling. I’m a pediatrician, double-boarded in pediatric emergency medicine, and I’ve spent my entire career thinking about how to keep children safe, healthy, and thriving - whether that’s with my own stethoscope or through the design of systems that help others care for them better.
In my line of work, you start to see patterns.
Childhood obesity. A pediatric behavioral health crisis. Families struggling to keep kids active and connected. The common thread? Fewer opportunities to move. Fewer chances to just play. Stillness…
Personally, I know how movement affects me - physically and emotionally. I’m a gym regular because I feel it when I don’t move enough. And as a mom of three, I think about these things not just professionally, but personally. I want my kids to be healthy, yes - but also joyful, connected, and resilient.
And like so many parents, I’ve felt that uneasy tug of guilt when it comes to screen time. Even as a pediatrician who understands child development, I’ve had those moments where I hand over a tablet and watch my kids turn into what we jokingly call “happy zombies.” But were they really happy? Deep down, I knew the answer.
Then one day, while scrolling social media (yes, even pediatricians chase dopamine sometimes), I came across a colorful little cube in front of a TV. A family was jumping, laughing, sweating, having fun—together. I paused. “What is this?”
It was Nex Playground.
I ordered one on the spot. Because they were still early in production, it took a few months to arrive. But when it did - on a rainy day, no less - we unboxed it and plugged it in.
Within minutes, we were off the couch, breathless, giggling, moving. I had to turn on the living room fan - we were sweating. And suddenly, something clicked.
This was good for kids. Actually, this was great for kids.
This wasn’t screen time as I knew it. This was movement, connection, play…the exact antidote to the things I’d been seeing in my patients, in the literature, and in my own home. My brain started firing. What if this didn’t just help my kids…but all kids? Including those recovering in hospitals, navigating injuries, or coping with emotional challenges? For my own family, movement is wellness, but for some, movement is healing. What if we could bring more movement and joy into hospital rooms too?
Turning Play into Purpose
That was the moment. I was motivated to do something I’d never done before.
Who dreamed up this game changing platform? I wanted to talk to them. I joined the Nex Playground Facebook community and saw post after post by David Lee. He was clearly the heart behind it all.
So again, without hesitation - this was for children - I pressed “send”. Just a cold message to David Lee from a pediatrician mom who couldn’t stop thinking about the possibilities.
And he responded. Within minutes.
Turns out, we shared the same vision - a passion for doing our very best for children - and if you know David, you aren’t surprised. Bringing the joy of real play and movement back into the living room - and maybe, just maybe, into children’s hospital rooms too. Playground for good.
That first message sparked something bigger than either of us expected—and, in many ways, it’s become one of the most meaningful chapters of my career. As a physician, I’m used to helping one child, one family, one moment at a time. But this? This was an opportunity to help many children at once—to shift a narrative, change a system, and bring more movement and joy to kids everywhere.
What began as a simple conversation grew into a journey of learning, collaboration, and a shared commitment to children’s health and happiness.
Next time, I’ll share how that conversation became a mission—and how it led me to my role as Chief Pediatric Advisor for Nex Playground.
Thank you for making it to the end of my first ever blog post (!), I’d love any comments, questions or feedback!
Dr. Emily Greenwald