COLUMBIA (WACH) -- A well known face sent a message of healthy habits at Pineview Elementary School Wednesday.

Several students got a pep talk from Jared, the Subway guy.

The 32-year-old says he was exactly where the kids were when he began eating the wrong things and becoming less active.

"It's going to take a village to change the childhood obesity problem that we have as a country, and obviously it's great to see this school changing already, and hopefully this can be like a role model school to other schools, but it really is, it's gotta be a priority," Jared Fogle says.

Jared is now challenging the students to a Subway Fresh Fit competition.

The winner will walk away with a $1,000 Subway gift card.