Vol. 8, No. 3
STATS
Q1-Q2 Implementations (by Challenge)
You’re crushing it — first half 2025 implementations increased by 8% over 2024. Walktober commitments through the end of June are 57% ahead of last year’s record pace.
Elevate 2.0 Survey Results
Thanks to everyone who completed our recent survey. Here are the top 10 rated wellness platform features (1-5 scale):
We’re using your feedback and analyzing user preferences to drive design of Elevate 2.0. More to come.
DEMO
NEW for 2026!
30-Minute Group Demo
Wednesday, August 6, 12 PM ET
Set the stage for a successful 2026. Join Emily, Hannah, and Rachel showcasing Go Gold and Bloom — 2 new physical activity challenges that spark connection, inspire movement, and produce meaningful results.
INSIGHT
What We’re Writing
White Paper
Mental Health in Motion: Walking Your Way to a Healthier, More Resilient Workforce lays out a compelling case for integrating walking into workplace culture. The benefits go far beyond physical well-being — regular walking boosts mood, reduces stress, improves focus, and strengthens resilience.
Client Experience
Fostering a Healthy Workplace: The Positive Impact of WashU’s Employee Wellness Program
WashU’s hands-on employee wellness approach not only promotes healthier lifestyles but also cultivates a community where well-being is a shared priority.
Blog
From Challenge to Change: 15 Ways to Build on Successful Walking Challenges
During walking challenges, the energy is electric as employees get out, walk together, and experience noticeable benefits. But what happens when the program is over?
Slashing Screen Time: Digital Detox Improves Employee Mental, Physical Health
We can all learn to better manage our time spent on devices. And we can begin swapping mindless, harmful routines for mindful, life-giving habits… right now.
Employee Wellness Challenge Reward Strategies
There’s no denying smart wellness incentives can drive interest and add to the fun — increasing registration as well as employee success while boosting participation and engagement.
LEARN
What We’re Reading
The Stress Paradox: Why You Need Stress to Live Longer, Healthier, and Happier ― An Essential Stress Management Companion with a Mind-Body-Soul Approach. There’s a breakthrough happening in the study of wellness and longevity. We know that excessive stress can be toxic, but emerging new research reveals that too little stress is just as bad for you as too much. Read the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine review.
The Rabbit Effect: Live Longer, Happier, and Healthier with the Groundbreaking Science of Kindness is an eye-opening, inspiring new way to look at our mental and physical health. It’s based on the latest discoveries in compassion, kindness, and human connection research. See how to apply these powerful changes in the Psychology Today article.
SHARE
Navigating Financial Wellness
in Turbulent Times
in Turbulent Times
More than 100 attendees joined a 45-minute webinar hosted by HES with Francis, LLC; Senior Vice President Kelli Send shared insights on how to navigate the financial market and retirement savings challenges posed by tariff volatility. View the recording and download the slides.
Help Shape What Comes Next
We’re exploring a new series of quarterly webinars designed just for wellness and HR pros. Got 30 seconds? Take our quick 3-question survey and tell us what topics matter most to you. Your input helps us deliver the content you want — when and how you want it.
PROMOTE
Completely reimagined, our wildly popular fall walking challenge introduces these new and improved benefits and features for our 23rd season:
- Mobile app registration
- New daily progress bar and animated tree
- Daily/weekly activity stats
- Achievement milestone patches
- Immersive video
- Fresh fall recipes
- Reworked Friends feature
- Real-time poll questions
- Interactive community page
- Extensive promotional toolkit
- Up to 2 hours FREE professional design.
Watch the preview video at Walktober.com.
Hook Your Employees With Walktober…
This was a revelation. I’ve been with the Red Cross for years and never paid much attention to the Be Well communications. Something about this one caught my eye… and now I’m hooked! Can’t believe I haven’t taken advantage of these programs until now.
Betsy R.
Red Cross
I look forward to Walktober every year. I love the fact that I strive to always do better than the last year… walking is one of the best medicines of health. Happy walking, folks.
Dominique W.
University of Rochester
I really enjoyed pushing myself to move more often. My son and parents joined in on my walks and it became a family evening walk.
Rosie S.
County of Orange
ADMIN
2026 Pricing
Watch your email for 2026 official price sheets coming later this month. Prices will be updated on our website in October.
If you need an immediate quote, contact your HES account manager or call 800.326.2317.
CONNECT
Say hello to Emily and Bob at the Wellness Summit August 19-21 then Rachel and Becky at the CUPA-HR Conference October 5-7.
And we’re especially delighted to share the HERO Forum theme: From Incivility to Kindness: The Business Imperative coming up September 17. Now, more than ever, kindness is vital for employee well-being.
TEAM
New Faces at HES
We’re excited to welcome 4 new teammates to the HES crew — say hello when you have a moment.
Tyler Jones
tylerj@hesonline.com
Quality Assurance
Krystal Spencer
krystals@hesonline.com
Account Management
Aadhya Pandillapally
aadhyap@hesonline.com
MSU Student Intern
Web Development
Nam Nguyen
namn@hesonline.com
MSU Student Intern
Web Development
LOVE
Hundreds of heart-warming, eye-welling stories like this continue flowing in from Good Nurtured participants around the world:
My grandmother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. We drove from California to Ohio to be with her. We stayed a few months and throughout people came by with dinners, snacks, waters, cards, love and more… I saw first-hand the village coming to love on my nana and give back all the love she had given. I was very grateful for them and for that experience and I know my nana felt the love.
Maria B.
City of Oceanside
Get a Quote or a 1:1 Demo in a Hurry
For a not-to-exceed quote fast, email bizdev@hesonline.com with your:
- Organization name
- Eligible population
- Program name (choose 1 or more challenges).
We’ll get back to you within 1 business day. Want to talk through your options or schedule a live demo? Call 800.326.2317.