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Vol. 8, No. 2
A glimpse behind the curtain for partners and friends.
Q1 2025 Implementations (by Challenge)
Q1 2025 implementations increased 14% over 2024. Commitments through Q1 (for all of ’25) are up 16%, with Walktober 43% ahead of last year’s record pace.
Elevate 2.0 Survey — We Need Your Help!
We’re redesigning the Elevate wellness challenges platform and would like partners and friends to weigh in.
Even if:
You’re not interested in Elevate
You’re using a platform you love
You don’t like surveys (who does?)…
… it’s 3 minutes (really, we timed it); your input will help us a lot — and contribute to the well-being of thousands.
Final Walktober 2025 Group Demo
As we celebrate 23 years of Walktober, we’re excited to share a completely reimagined version of the most successful fall walking challenge of all time.
No time for a group demo? Watch the 3-minute speed demo or schedule a 1:1 demo with an HES account manager.
New Walktober Promotions
Walktober’s promotional tools are being revamped to coincide with the release of version 4.0. Here’s a sneak peek.
Developers Michael, Ula, Roger, and Bob attend JS Nation and React Summit in New York last November, proving it’s hip to be square.
Terrific Tech Tune-Ups
Our 2024 tech enhancements — including a new API, iOS and Android platform upgrades, plus rapid database scaling work — are paying dividends for HES clients and participants everywhere.
In 2025 we’re doubling down with Blueprint, a completely reengineered code base that will provide big benefits going forward, including:
- Accelerated new challenge development. Always fresh.
- Unique ways to experience progress. Never boring.
- Robust social tools. Continuous connecting.
- Highly customizable content options. Extensive tailoring.
- Enhanced reporting capabilities. Powerfully insightful.
And we’re reengineering our server scaling capability, so we don’t break the internet (as happened last year) with Walktober 👻.
Shanna Karp, Kaiser Permanente, connects with HES Account Manager, Emily Doyle at the Art & Science of Health Promotion exhibit in Scottsdale.
If we missed you at the 35th Art & Science of Health Promotion Conference earlier this month, here are 3 more chances to meet in ’25 (and get your picture in the HES Insider):
- CUPA-HR Spring Conference: April 27–29, Seattle
- Annual Wellness Summit 2025: August 19–21, Austin
- CUPA-HR Annual Conference and Expo: October 5–7, Gaylord Rockies
Where are you going? Let us know of any industry event HES should attend or sponsor — email Rachel at rachell@hesonline.com — we’ll meet you for coffee.
Connection: The Final Frontier
Launched in January, the Star Trak physical activity challenge is already helping participants live long and prosper by bringing colleagues closer together in the pursuit of better fitness.
I may have joined the challenge for more activity, but I walked away with something even better: a renewed sense of energy, a tighter-knit team, and the realization that movement isn’t just about fitness, it’s about living.
Mission accomplished.
Sandra L. H.
PrinceGeorge’s County Government
Creating connection and helping individuals as well as organizations thrive are hallmarks of HES challenges.
Watch the 1-minute Star Trak preview video.
What We’re Writing
Good for Me: The Power of Self-Kindness at Work is the third in a 3-part series with kindness evangelist MJ Shaar.
9 Reasons Your Employee Wellness Program Should Feature Fall Fitness Challenges illustrates how you can set employees up for success with a fall fitness challenge designed to get them outdoors and enjoying the beauty of this spectacular season… together.
Why Every Leader Needs a Walking Habit: Unlocking Personal and Professional Benefits is a first-person account of HES CEO Dean Witherspoon’s unexpected path toward better leadership.
What We’re Reading
The Art of Making Memories: How to Create and Remember Happy Moments is a practical handbook filled with ideas and inspiration to feel more joy.
Relentless Rise in Stress
% who say they frequently experience stress in daily life
Beyond physical activity challenges, HES programs best suited to address increasing stress include Work of Art and Good Nurtured.
I now have some new techniques that allow me to control how stress affects me and how I deal with it. I am so thankful that First Tech gave me the opportunity to go through this program because it has changed my life for the better.
Jessica R.
First Tech FCU
Check out the preview videos for each challenge, then scroll to the bottom of the page to request a no-obligation quote for your organization. We’ll get back to you within 1 business day.
That was years ago, and I still think about her kindness.
Our newest challenge, Good Nurtured, has struck a chord for participants eager to share stories of kindnesses given, received, and observed…
Simple Gestures
Recently, my daughter welcomed her second child into the world on February 14 —Valentine’s Day! In the spirit of gratitude, she asked if I would make some Valentine treats for the nurses, and I happily agreed.
As I was making the treats, I thought about how a simple gesture can brighten someone’s day. Little did I know just how true that would be. My daughter ended up giving one of the treat bags to a technician who was having a tough day. As she handed it to her, the technician looked up with tears in her eyes and said, “You’re going to make me cry. Thank you — you made my day.”
That moment was a beautiful reminder that kindness, no matter how small, can touch someone’s heart in ways we may never fully realize.
Lasting Benefits
I was walking to the train in downtown Chicago when it started pouring rain. A woman walking in the same direction held up her umbrella over both of us for the rest of the walk. If it were not for her, I would have been soaking wet on the ride home. That was years ago, and I still think about that woman and her kindness to this day.
At a time of high anxiety and declining happiness, a wellness challenge that brings out the best in everyone may help reverse the trend for employees and their communities. Watch the 3-minute demo and check out the Kindness and Well-Being Go Hand in Hand infographic to learn more.
2025 Wellness Challenges Planning Calendar
See how HES challenges line up with the season along with national and world health observances.
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.