It’s inspiring to be part of an event that celebrates those businesses and individuals that are taking the initiative to tackle the nation’s healthcare issues head on without waiting for government to take the lead.  The only way I believe that the United States can reach the goal of preventing healthcare costs from bankrupting our economy is by empowering individuals to take charge of their lives to prevent expensive procedures from becoming the norm.  This event, put on by the California Taskforce for Youth and Workplace Wellness, was truly a celebration of the trailblazing businesses that are leading the way.  If you work for an organization with operations in California that is implementing a corporate wellness program, I’d highly encourage you to consider applying for the California Fit Business Award. 

In my previous life as an software manager and implementations specialist with an environmental software firm, I had the opportunity to work with a similar group of cutting edge corporations that were voluntarily setting emission caps for their organizations.  Without any significant governmental regulation, social consciousness was growing, and I saw more and more companies begin implementing, or at a minimum, begin considering ways in that they could offer more environmental friendly operations.  Now, nearly a decade later, we are seeing the same movement with preventative health.  Companies of all sizes are beginning to implement vastly varied programs to keep their employees healthy, productive, and happy.  Its one of the few win/win situations that any employer can benefit from.  I’ve spoken with businesses with seven employees that offer health club benefits to employees so long as they go 6 times per month, and worked with a 40,000 employee company with complex and highly incentivized programs that are directed towards creating positive behavior change.

My question for you – if you are not already implementing wellness programs within your organization, what is stopping you?  Maybe you are not a leader within the organization – who cares?  Individuals make the impact, encouraging co-workers to train for running events, calling up Weight Watchers to hold a lunchtime series, even ordering salads instead of pizza for lunch.  There’s no excuse.

I recognize that few are as passionate as about this topic as I am.  But the comments I get from this blog and through the acquaintances that I make, have me convinced that many people share my concern, many are poised for action, and we are on the verge of a wellness revolution.  We’re seeing where we’re headed and its not pretty.  Its not pretty on a societal level, and its not pretty on a personal level.  And there are opportunities.  Beautiful ones that not only improve health, but also improve quality of life, happiness, and true whole person wellness.  We’ll need to accomplish this starting with ourselves then spreading the message to our community.  I encourage you to get involved to any capacity, and the workplace is an ideal location to start the revolution.

Congratulations to all of the winners of the California Fit Business Award, its awesome to be part of the role models that will design the path towards our future’s wellness model.

Be Well

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