Professional Development:

I currently hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Promotion and Wellness with a Wellness Coaching emphasis from University of Wisconsin- Steven's Point and am working towards a Master’s in Public Administration.  During my undergrad, I received the Chancellor’s Leadership Award, an honor given to less than one percent of enrolled students that displayed leadership throughout their academic tenure.

I chose this field because I love serving others and I love wellness.  By putting those two “loves” together, I get to live a fulfilled life every day!  I currently hold a Certified Wellness Practitioner designation from the National Wellness Institute, a certification only given to individuals with 5 plus years of professional wellness experience or from the one of seven NWI Accredited degree program graduates.

Demonstrated Success:

I believe the meaning of success can vary.  Sometimes we get so caught up in the numbers (and yes, data matters), but we fail to realize the uniqueness  of individuals. 

People are more than just health screenings, they are more than total weight-lost, and they are more than a number calculated for presenteeism. People are magnificent and wonderfully made, and I’ve had the pleasure of helping them find a life of purpose and happiness.

See about three years ago, I had a life-changing event happen to me.  I stumbled on an organization called my TEAM TRIUMPH, a non-profit that empowers individuals with disabilities to compete in endurance events like 5k’s, marathons and triathlons.  It is through this group that I was able to meet a young and inspiring girl named Katie.  Katie has cerebral palsy and is bound to her wheel chair.  She relies on other people to take her places and for many other aspects of life, which maybe you’d agree we sometimes take for granted.  It is through our relationship that I’ve been able to reach others and motivate them to live meaningful lives.

Katie and I have done many races while I push and pull her in special racing equipment.  We’ve done a handful of 5k’s, a marathon, two half ironman races, and as of one month ago, IRONMAN Wisconsin (The pinnacle distance for an endurance athlete; The race includes a 2.2 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run).  Through these experiences, I’ve learned more about myself, and Katie and I have helped spread a message of hope- that anyone can seize any opportunity.  All you need is a team.  We’ve reached over 10,000 people through our racing and she’s accompanied me in almost every setting I’ve been in. 

WELCOA’s 2nd benchmark, Creating Cohesive Wellness Teams, is what we strive to do.  We help drive a sense of community and comaraderie in the cultures we infiltrate. 

We’ve shaved a professor and assistant dean’s head, to help with fundraising and had over hundreds of students and staff involved—the chancellor of the university even participated.  We held a fundraising event while I ran on a treadmill for 11 hours or 43 miles to raise $4000.  And just recently, our message of hope was the opening video for the mandatory associate forum at Network Health.  We are the connective tissue between who people are, and who they want to be.  We give hope.

With all of the networks I participate(d) in, I’ve helped over 200 people successfully complete a race from a 5k up to a marathon.  I helped change the culture for a technical college (previous position) for over hundreds of staff and thousands of students.  I’ve trekked over 1,000 miles and reached over ten thousand people during my journey with Katie.  And with my programming, I’ve helped approximately 50 people improve one biometric result from their screening.

Leadership:

I lead by actively participating in my community, state and country as a run coach, a pro bono wellness coach, and Warrant Officer in the Wisconsin Army National Guard.

As a run coach, I’ve helped hundreds of people learn how to run and achieve their fitness goals.  One of the biggest messages I’ve worked to spread in this community is that running to build relationships will take you further than running for time.  One client said that the training made her think, “What am I capable of?” When people ask questions like this, they tap their true potential—and as a result, create a mindset destined for success.

I’ve spent the last 10 years serving as a soldier in Wisconsin Army National Guard.  I’ve deployed twice and gathered so many wellness experiences during this time.  The Army helped build a foundation for success and how to be a leader.  Coupled with my wellness philosophy, I’ve been able to help lead many around me towards a healthier life.

Innovation:

In a previous position, I created a program called Passport to Wellness that incentivized healthy lifestyle behaviors in different dimensions of wellness (Spiritual, Social, Intellectual, Environmental, Emotional, Career and Phsyical).  Participants would apply for the passport, and once received (a little passport booklet), they would get a stamp for doing an activity in each dimension of wellness, filling out their wellness goals for the program and each dimension. 

This program, along with our mantra to “Increase Happiness and Decrease Stress,” helped change the culture.

My goal was to empower their choice and autonomy for wellness!

“Before Aaron, the wellness movement was stalled - Aaron changed that. Everyone got involved and excited. It became more about wellness and less about exercising.  It's amazing how he can motivate a group.”

“Our Training and Development Team did a presentation to the State Professional Development Group (16 technical colleges in WI) about FVTC's Wellness initiatives and Aaron's fingerprints were all over our presentation!”

Compelling Vision:

I believe that health is a product of our lifestyle, behaviors and environment.  Sometimes as wellness professionals, we too often look through the lens of physical wellness and tell people that they need to improve their numbers.  I’d argue that we empower people to live more fulfilled lives by communicating better, finding a peer group that can support their goals, and do things that are important to them.  As a product of this empowerment, there will be better health outcomes.

In the next 5 years, we need to get away from telling people what they need and listen to what they want.  I will help advance this industry by continuing to conduct research in the realm of positive psychology, resiliency, and living a meaningful life and their relationship to health, as well as continue to live my mission by serving others and leading them to wellness.