The workplace just got healthier thanks to Bryan Van Noy, ERC ’94, and his wife Danna Korn. Last January, the couple combined $75,000 of their savings to create sonicboomwellness.com, aimed at promoting healthier, happier lifestyles—even on the job.

The business was born out of frustration, says Van Noy, who spent 14 years in the health-care industry, half of those administering wellness programs that were getting less than 10 percent participation. But the self-proclaimed health nuts felt they could do better; they wanted to make eating right and exercising enjoyable through teamwork and competition.

“We give companies permission to have fun while getting healthier at work,” says Van Noy. With that motivation in mind, the pair devised 282 daily challenges, from asking employees to lunge their way to the restroom, to inventing a company cheer. Workers participate in striding competitions, where scores are measured wirelessly by pedometers, and they engage in programs about nutrition, weight loss, and assessing their own health risks.

The end result? A culture change, says Van Noy. With healthier employees, businesses can cut expenditures, especially the rising cost of health insurance.

The company has attracted 17 clients since January 2008, and expects to enroll 10 new clients by January 2009. It is also beginning to enroll new clients outside of California in Wisconsin, Kentucky, Alaska, Pennsylvania and Texas.

Who said working—and working out—can’t be fun?

Written by Serena Renner, ’08, and Raymond Hardie

View more Class Notes online & submit your own!
If you have not yet registered, you'll need to create a user name and password. MORE