Strategies for Success for Multinational Corporate Wellness Programs

A Follow-up to the 3rd Annual Corporate Wellness Conference & 2nd Annual Global Benefits Conference’s 2011 Educational Session

By Pete Thomas, Season 2 $100,000 At-Home Winner of “NBC’s The Biggest Loser

The Corporate Health and Wellness Association recently concluded its Annual event that took place October 26th-28th in Chicago, IL.  Another stellar event, it was sponsored by the Corporate Wellness Magazine, the official publication of the Corporate Health and Wellness Association.

At this year’s 3rd Annual Corporate Wellness Conference, I was privileged to design and facilitate a crossover session with the 2nd Annual Global Benefits Conference entitled, “Strategies for Success for Multinational Corporate Wellness Programs.”  Two of the nation’s top multinational corporations joined the panel:  Procter & Gamble’s U.S. Benefits Design Director, Sandra Morris and Hewlett-Packard’s Global Benefits Program Manager, Celina Moraes.

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS

In this session we set out to share how to implement strategies in your company that will motivate your employees to make lifestyle changes.  From my experience coaching individuals and companies around the country in the area of health and wellness, I’ve discovered seven essential components for a successful wellness program.  In this article I lay out these seven principles and offer a few of the highlights from this engaging session!

In brief, here are the 7 components:

• Motivation
• Education
• Personalization
• Perspiration
• Collaboration
• Repetition
• Inspiration

MOTIVATION

First, allow me to define motivation as: something external that gets individuals moving toward a desired outcome.  Motivation can come from a variety of sources—including internal company heroes, recognition, and incentives such as cash, premium reductions, etc.

Sandra Morris, Director of U.S. Benefits Design for Procter & Gamble leads their global wellness program entitled “P&G Vibrant Living:  How to live vibrantly in life.”  In our session, Sandra indicated the necessity to include motivators like incentives to help motivate individuals to get involved in the company’s programs.  “We do have to motivate people to get engaged,” Sandra shared.  “They’re not going to do it naturally.  It’s just not human nature for the majority of human beings.  There are people out there who will do it automatically, but the majority of the people aren’t there.  So we do do things to motivate people to get on the band wagon,” Morris states.

CHANGING YOUR CORPORATE CULTURE

One of the less obvious ways a company can motivate its employees is by undergoing a “culture change.”  Sandra Morris of P&G shared how in everything P&G does, they attempt to “make their entire corporate reflect their commitment to healthy living.”  Two examples of the ways they have done that include making it easy to make better choices.  They have branded the healthier choices with the P&G “Vibrant Living” logo.  The stairwells also have the “Vibrant Living” logo.

From my work as a fitness trainer and weight-loss coach, I’ve found that individuals are motivated both positively and negatively.  Sandra Morris affirms that in her program, employees had the opportunity to earn rewards as a result of participating.  She went on to state that P&G then revised their benefits package to include an in-network deductible.  With this in-network deductible employees however, can completely eliminate that deductible simply by engaging in the P&G “Vibrant Living” wellness program.  As a result, Sandra indicates their engagement level increased 134%!
GETTING TO “WHY”

Inspiration is something internal that keeps individuals moving toward a desired outcome.  Each individual has their own reason(s) for wanting to get healthy/fit.  An effective wellness program must help employees uncover their “why”—which will in turn help the individual stay on track with their long-term health goals.

There has to be a point where an employee determines his or her “why” and then determines to be engaged for themselves.  But sometimes in order for a person to get to that point, they need outward accountability first.  I teach that there are four levels of accountability:

• Public  (large group)
• Team
• One other person (i.e.  coach)
• Self—self mastery.  You want your employees to get to this level.  You want your employees to get healthy for themselves.

WELLNESS THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE

Personalization is the next component I want to share.  An effective program should include a variety of offerings to fit one’s work schedule, family situation, physical location and unique personality—including group, one-on-one, online and in-person access points.

I happen to be 6ft 5 inches tall.  As such, my nutrition plan will not likely fit someone who is 5ft 5 inches tall.  They probably couldn’t follow my plan and maintain their weight.  Likewise, when designing and offering a wellness program it should contain a certain amount of personalization to fit the needs and nuances of your employees.  All employees should be captured in some type of funnel and receive your health and wellness message.

To illustrate this component, Sandra Morris shared how it’s important to think about the type of personal and group challenges you institute.  And include both physical and non physical activities —such as eating your required fruits and vegetables for the day.

A successful wellness program recognizes that “physical” wellness is just one component of wellness and offers program that reach the “whole” person.  Both P&G and HP take a three-pronged approach to “wellness” that includes physical wellness, financial wellness, and emotional wellness/stress management.

PERSPIRATION

A variety of exercise and physical activity is essential to an effective wellness program.  Your wellness program should include activities for every fitness level and promote progression as one’s fitness level increases.  Furthermore, an exercise program is a great way to help individuals transition from unhealthy habits to healthy habits.  Exercise also releases beneficial hormones as well.

Celina Moreas, the Global Benefits Program Manager at Hewlett-Packard launched “Winning with Wellness,” the framework for HP’s wellness program.  HP launched “Winning with Wellness” as a pilot in the US and has since launched in 33 countries, with initiatives in Physical Wellness, Stress Management and Financial Wellness.

In 2011, HP implemented a Physical Wellness Challenge under the “Winning with Wellness” framework called “The Global Wellness Challenge.”  This 12-week challenge was launched in all the countries, with 90 countries represented and 54,000 employees participating.  In total, 11,000 teams worldwide registered and participated in the physical activity challenge that measured pedometer steps, exercise minutes and weight-loss.

COLLABORATION

Success requires teamwork—Mentors, coaches, partners, etc.  A successful wellness program encourages “buddies” or “teams” and integrates collaboration into its design.

Teamwork is vitally important.  In almost every area of life, the most successful endeavors we’re engaged in involve teamwork or collaboration.  Yet weight-loss is the one thing we try to do by ourselves.
At Procter & Gamble, Sandra Morris and her team have “Vibrant Living Champions” throughout the company in various countries.  Similar to a “team leader, these “champions” are out in front of people talking about the “Vibrant Living” program on a regular basis.  The champions are also individuals whom employees can go to and share their ideas, etc.

REPETITION

Information about your company’s wellness programs and resources must be promoted frequently through a variety of mediums!

Through her experience, Sandra Morris of P&G has found that it takes at least 6 “touch points” per year for the employees to “get it” and know that the program is available.  Such touch points includes home mailings, email reminders, team meetings the company newsletter.

Both Sandra and Celina utilize company champions to keep the message in front of employees and they affirm that company champions have a very positive impact on employees.

Repetition also includes the strategic use of branding.  P&G’s orange sunburst represents their health and wellness brand—It is communicated throughout the organization and on all wellness related communication.

STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS IN GLOBAL WELLNESS PROGRAMS

No matter what country your offices resides in, there are certain core components that a successful corporate wellness program share.  A successful program has the ability to motivate its employees, gather teams, personalize its programmatic and fitness offerings, lead employees to discover their “why,” and communicate their wellness message frequently and effectively.  Ultimately, a successful corporate wellness program helps employees make life-long lifestyle changes that result in healthier, happier employees, and a more productive workplace.

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About Pete Thomas

Pete Thomas is the Season 2 $100,000 At-home Winner of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser.”  Since his win in 2005, Pete Thomas has evolved into an acclaimed motivational speaker, highly skilled TV personality, teacher, fitness trainer and corporate wellness consultant.

Thomas helps companies increase employee participation in their health and wellness programs and provides customized educational and inspirational health and fitness content for Human Resource, Benefits and Wellness Directors.  Thomas has also helped over 200 individuals shed thousands of combined pounds with his personally developed Lose It Fast, Lose It Forever™ 10-week Nutrition and Exercise program.

Dubbed, “Mr. Biggest Loser” by executive producers of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser,” Pete has appeared on ABC’s The View, The 700 Club, and eXtra, as well as being featured in People Magazine, Runner’s World, TV Guide, inTouch Weekly, Real Health and commercials nationwide.

A full time motivational speaker, weight-loss coach, consultant, and product spokesman for companies such as NordicTrack and HealthPlus of Michigan,  Pete travels and spreads his “Winning Principles” to organizations worldwide—both in person and through his website at www.PeteThomas.com.   To request an interview or inquire about having Pete Thomas speak at your event, contact Anita Lane at 646.450.6214.

Looking for a way to keep your New Year Resolutions?

Pete Thomas Invited to Inspire Attendees at the  2012 Ann Arbor Public Schools Community Education and Recreation Fitness Fair!

Ann Arbor, MI– Ann Arbor Public Schools, Community Education & Recreation (Rec&Ed) is hosting it’s first-ever Fitness Fair on 1-12-12 to help you get on track for living a healthy lifestyle in 2012! Join us and featured guest speaker, Pete Thomas, Season 2 At-Home Winner of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser,” Thursday, January 12, 2012, from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Forsythe Middle School– 1655 Newport Road in Ann Arbor, MI.  This event is free and open to the public.

Rec&Ed fitness class instructors will be on hand to answer questions of which fitness class is best suited participants needs.  Demonstrations, raffle drawings, and hands-on activities will be available throughout the evening.

Any guests signing up for fitness, health, or wellness classes during the Fitness Fair (from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.) will receive 12% off their class fee.  This is a one-night only special offer for classes offered during our Winter Session, most of which begin in early January.

Guest speaker, Pete Thomas will take the stage at 6:12 p.m. sharp to get the crowd on their feet and ready to take the first step towards a fit 2012!

Also on hand will be Victoria Cendrowski, Rec&Ed Fitness Supervisor since 1990.  Cendrowski teaches various forms of dance and yoga classes and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance from Eastern Michigan University, as well as a Teacher’s Certification and Masters of Education in Science of Human Movement with an emphasis in Personal Training from Wayne State University.  Her professional career includes Dance Program Director, K-12 Physical Education Teacher, Wellness Trainer and producer of her own Yoga Pilates videos

The first 112 guests will receive a gift from Rec&Ed and become eligible for raffle drawings throughout the evening and a Grand Prize Drawing of a two-night weekend package at the newly remodeled Weber’s Inn including a spa certificate to Fran Coy’s Salon & Spa in Ann Arbor.

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Join Us!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Free and open to the public

Forsythe Middle School

1655 Newport Road

Ann Arbor

The Season 2 At-Home Winner Will Encourage Genesee County Residents to “Get Moving” at County-wide Fitness Challenge Kick-off Event September 12, 2011!

CLICK HERE to see photos from this event!

Ann Arbor, MI— Pete Thomas, the Season 2 At-Home Winner of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser,” is putting all Genesee County residents on notice:  “Get ready to MOVE!”  On Monday, September 12, 2011, Thomas will rally the troops and lead Genesee County residents in a corporate physical activity challenge during the Commit to Fit! kick off event.  The event takes place from 12 Noon – 1:00 pm at Kearsley Street Flat Lot in Downtown Flint.

Pete Thomas will join City of Flint Mayor Dayne Walling, the President & CEO of HealthPlus, Bruce Hill, and Kirk Smith, the President and CEO of the Greater Flint Health Coalition, in launching the Commit to Fit! Fall 4 Fitness Challenge –a four week community-wide business-to-business challenge that runs from September 12 –October 7.

During the kick-off event, Pete Thomas will encourage the 30+ participating businesses and organizations, and facilitate the Corporate Physical Activity Challenge consisting of push-ups, squats and an obstacle course.  Three local fitness organizations –Genesys Athletic Center, Hurley Health and Fitness Center and the U of M Flint Recreation Center will lead the three competitions.  Thomas will announce the winners upon completion of the challenges.

Thomas expressed his enthusiasm for the Challenge and looks forward to being a part of this unique initiative.  “The Fall 4 Fitness county-wide business-to-business challenge is a great concept,” Thomas shares.  “Weight-loss and wellness are best achieved and sustained in a team environment.  Each participating business is a team, and ultimately—the 30+ businesses collectively are a team.  Together they can achieve phenomenal results for Genesee County!” Thomas states.

Each Fall 4 Fitness Challenge participant is encouraged to reach the goal of 30 minutes a day. During the Challenge individuals will keep track of the amount of time they are physically active and the organizations with the highest levels of participation will receive trophies, and their employees will receive additional raffle chances for $3,000 in cash prize drawings!

About Commit to Fit!
Commit to Fit! is a community-wide health behavior improvement initiative launched by the Greater Flint Health Coalition and its partner organizations. The initiative is designed to address Genesee County’s low health status rankings by engaging residents in fun, simple ways to practice healthy behaviors and help residents realize that a few simple lifestyle changes can set the path to improved health. Learn more at www.commit-2-fit.org.

About HealthPlus
HealthPlus is a licensed not-for-profit health and wellness company, providing health care coverage to more than 215,000 members statewide and beyond. HealthPlus arranges for the delivery of health care through a variety of employer group, individual and government plans. For more information, visit www.healthplus.org.

About Pete Thomas
Pete Thomas is the Season 2 $100,000 At-home Winner of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” and the President of Pete Thomas Wellness—a multi-faceted weight loss education and consulting company.  As a highly skilled TV personality, teacher, certified trainer, weight-loss coach and consultant, Thomas helps organizations and corporations design and implement wellness programs—including “Biggest Loser” style weight-loss and teambuilding programs— that get results!  His company also provides cutting-edge content for health and fitness oriented blogs, books and magazines—including the best-selling “Biggest Loser” book series.  Of the former Biggest Loser contestants, only Pete Thomas has personally created other “Biggest Losers” through his teaching and coaching programs.

Pete has appeared on ABC’s The View, The 700 Club, and eXtra, as well as being featured in People Magazine, Runner’s World, TV Guide, inTouch Weekly, Real Health and commercials nationwide.  A full time motivational speaker, weight-loss coach, consultant, and product spokesman for companies such as NordicTrack,  Pete travels and spreads his “Winning Principles” to organizations worldwide—both in person and through his website at www.PeteThomasOnline.com.  For an interview with Pete Thomas, contact Anita Lane at 646.450.6214.

The Season 2 At-Home Winner of  NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” shares his inspirational story and experience in foster care to over 2,000 Child Welfare Advocates at the “Pathway to Independence” Summit hosted by the Florida Department of Children and Families  in Orlando, Florida.

CLICK HERE to see photos from this event!

Ann Arbor, MI— Pete Thomas, Motivational Speaker and Season 2 At-Home Winner of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser,” will address child welfare stakeholders at the Florida Department of Children and Families “Family Accountability Summit” on Friday, Sep 9, 2011 in Orlando, Florida.  The Family Accountability Summit is the largest child welfare event in the State of Florida with over 2,000 professionals and stakeholders attending.

Pete Thomas understands firsthand the challenges met by those who work in the child welfare system.  “I have a very strong affinity for child welfare workers and the children and families they serve because I am product of that system.   My mother suffered from mental illness and as a result I was in and out of foster care.  I know the struggles and obstacles these children face—as well as those who serve them.  I want them all to know there is life on the other side of the system.  There is hope.  These young people can overcome and achieve their dreams,” Thomas shares.

During the Friday keynote address, Thomas will share his experiences growing up in the foster care system and how he managed to overcome. Thomas will address a diverse audience consisting of Advocates, Attorneys, Child Investigation Professionals, Child Protection Professionals, Case Managers, Stakeholders from local judicial circuits, Community Based Care Providers, Guardians Ad Litem, Judges, Juvenile Justice Professionals, Law Enforcement, Professionals, Mental Health and Medical Child Welfare Providers and Foster Parents.

Thomas is looking forward to sharing with the group and believes it is essential that all of the stakeholders serving children and families come together in one place.

“I think it is great that Department of Children and Families Secretary David E. Wilkins and his team have assembled such a wide audience of stakeholders for this Summit,” says Thomas. “I am looking forward to the opportunity to share my story, offer any insight I can, and most of all—inspire those in attendance to embrace the power they have to positively and permanently affect lives—and to never give up!”

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CLICK HERE to see photos from this event!

CLICK HERE to read the letter of recommendation from Secretary Wilkins

About Pete Thomas
Pete Thomas is the Season 2 $100,000 At-home Winner of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” and the President of Pete Thomas Wellness—a multi-faceted weight loss education and consulting company.  As a highly skilled TV personality, teacher, certified trainer, weight-loss coach and consultant, Thomas helps organizations and corporations design and implement wellness programs—including “Biggest Loser” style weight-loss and teambuilding programs— that get results!  His company also provides cutting-edge content for health and fitness oriented blogs, books and magazines—including the best-selling “Biggest Loser” book series.  Of the former Biggest Loser contestants, only Pete Thomas has personally created other “Biggest Losers” through his teaching and coaching programs.

Pete has appeared on ABC’s The View, The 700 Club, and eXtra, as well as being featured in People Magazine, Runner’s World, TV Guide, inTouch Weekly, Real Health and commercials nationwide.  A full time motivational speaker, weight-loss coach, consultant, and product spokesman for companies such as NordicTrack,  Pete travels and spreads his “Winning Principles” to organizations worldwide—both in person and through his website at www.PeteThomasOnline.com.

To schedule Pete Thomas  for your event,  email us at speaking@WinningMan.com or call Anita Lane 646.450.6214.

• SLIM U Boot Camp –$249 (3 days a week)
  October 4, 2011 – November 22, 2011
  Tuesdays and Thursdays 6-8pm
  Saturdays 8am-10am
  Scarlett Middle School
  3300 Lorraine Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48108
  

  Designed to kick your butt and knock off the pounds with a variety of fat-shredding cardio and strength training exercises to get you in the best shape of your life! Whether you’re working out for the first time or you want to take your workouts to the next level, get the results you’re looking for – 3 days a week! An unbeatable price for unbeatable results!

CLICK HERE to Register for Pete Thomas’ SLIM U Boot Camp!

The Season 2 At-Home Winner shared success principles for winning at weight-loss and in life!

Ann Arbor, MI— On Thursday, February 11, 2011, Pete Thomas, the Season 2 At-Home Winner of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser,” shared his success principles for winning at weight-loss and in life with an engaged audience at the Ann Arbor District Library. 

Pete’s presentation was part of the Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Reads Library series of events themed, “What Makes Life Worth Living.”  Pete encouraged the audience to invest the time necessary to achieve optimal health.  Pete referred to the management of “Time” as the #1 key to success in weight-loss and in life.  Pete stated that “Fitness guru Jack LaLanne died at the ripe age of 96.  He worked out three hours a day.  But he also lived 17 years longer—and in much better health— than the average American.  Find a reason that motivates you—perhaps you want to be alive and in good health to experience the milestone events in the lives of your children and grandchildren.”

Pete also reminded the audience that every person has a purpose in life, and to embrace that purpose makes life worth living.  And to fulfill that purpose requires good health.   As a starting point, Pete challenged the audience to embrace the Kaizen principle of making continual, small improvements.  Long-term, the small changes will add up to big results. 

Tim Grimes, Community Relations and Marketing Department Manager for the Library and coordinator of the event— was glad he invited Pete to speak this year.  “This was a fantastic program—it’s the second time we’ve had Pete.  Pete gives a lot of good tips about losing weight in a very enjoyable way that makes it very nice for an audience.  It was also really nice to have the activities.  The wall-sits were a lot of fun.”

Washtenaw County resident Eric Apollo was in the audience and had this to say about Pete’s presentation: “Pete’s an inspiration to everybody who’s trying to lose weight. He’s just such a wealth of knowledge.” Regarding his takeaway from the event, Eric stated, “I’m my biggest opponent.  I have to put in the effort and manage mouth!”

Colleen Flynn, Business Development Director with Carnival Cruise Lines, was one of the winner’s of Pete’s impromptu wall-sit competition.  “He is an excellent speaker—very, very encouraging.  I loved the points he made about celebrating your success every day.   Often we get into attacking a situation and we don’t acknowledge how far we’ve come until we get to the end of it.  So it was great to hear Pete stress the importance of celebrating successes along the way.”

About Pete Thomas
Pete Thomas is the Season 2 $100,000 At-home Winner of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” and the President of WinningMan.com, LLC—a multi-faceted weight loss education and consulting company.  As a highly skilled TV personality, teacher, certified trainer, weight-loss coach and consultant, Thomas helps organizations and corporations design and implement wellness programs—including “Biggest Loser” style weight-loss and teambuilding programs— that get results!  His company also provides cutting-edge content for health and fitness oriented blogs, books and magazines—including the best-selling “Biggest Loser” book series.  Of the former Biggest Loser contestants, only Pete Thomas has personally created other “Biggest Losers” through his teaching and coaching programs.

 Pete has appeared on ABC’s The View, The 700 Club, and eXtra, as well as being featured in People Magazine, Runner’s World, TV Guide, inTouch Weekly, Real Health and commercials nationwide.  A full time motivational speaker, weight-loss coach, consultant, and product spokesman for companies such as NordicTrack,  Pete travels and spreads his “Winning Principles” to organizations worldwide—both in person and through his website at www.WinningMan.com.  For an interview with Pete Thomas, contact Anita Lane at 646.450.6214.

The Season 2 At-Home Winner shared his winning principles for weight-loss  at kick-off 

Ann Arbor, MI— Pete Thomas, the Season 2 At-Home Winner of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” shared his winning principles with faculty, staff and students at Saginaw Valley State University in Michigan on Tuesday, January 25, 2011.  Pete’s keynote kicked off a 12-week campus-wide weight-loss competition for faculty, staff and students.  The competition offers a combination of cash and gifts for the team that loses the highest percentage of weight. The event was sponsored by HealthPlus.

Pete challenged the Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) crowd to make small changes that make a big difference over time.  He described the four phases of his unique weight-loss approach, “Commit, Create, Challenge and Celebrate.”  And to drive home the challenge principle, Pete challenged one person from each row to a wall-sit competition.  After twelve intensely grueling minutes along the brick walls of the recital hall, Caitlin Chojnacki—a senior exercise science major at SVSU—was the last one “seated” on the wall, and she and her entire row claimed the cash prize.   (Scroll down to see photos).

After Pete’s speech, Caitlin shared that she was excited to hear Pete speak and readily identified with Pete’s passion for helping others lose weight.  “I’m really motivated by weight-loss and the obesity epidemic.  So it’s really awesome to see that there are more passionate people out there who are working towards helping the general public…Everyone is struggling…” Caitlin shared.

Cynthia Bale, the Associate Director of Human Resources at SVSU and chair of the wellness program that coordinated the event, stated that she was hoping that Pete’s involvement would motivate individuals to sign-up for the weight-loss competition and that’s exactly what happened.  “Pete’s presentation was a perfect kick-off to our weight-loss challenge—evident by the fact that we’ve had some people come up to us after the fact… They said, ‘I hadn’t signed up but you know what, I am interested now and I do want to sign up for the weight loss challenge.’ So that’s perfect!” Bale stated.

George Puia, a Dow Chair in Global Business and the Associate Dean of the College of Business at SVSU was also present at Pete’s presentation.  Puia thought Pete offered really practical advice that he could put into practice right away.  But more importantly, Puia said that he just felt inspired.  “I was challenged by his story.  It’s one thing to read about something in a paper or see something in a magazine.  It’s another thing to actually talk to a person who’s had that kind of success and realize, this is really achievable—you can do this,” Puia stated.

About Pete Thomas
Pete Thomas is the Season 2 $100,000 At-home Winner of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” and the President of WinningMan.com, LLC—a multi-faceted weight loss education and consulting company.  As a highly skilled TV personality, teacher, certified trainer, weight-loss coach and consultant, Thomas helps organizations and corporations design and implement wellness programs—including “Biggest Loser” style weight-loss and teambuilding programs— that get results!  His company also provides cutting-edge content for health and fitness oriented blogs, books and magazines—including the best-selling “Biggest Loser” book series.  Of the former Biggest Loser contestants, only Pete Thomas has personally created other “Biggest Losers” through his teaching and coaching programs.

Pete has appeared on ABC’s The View, The 700 Club, and eXtra, as well as being featured in People Magazine, Runner’s World, TV Guide, inTouch Weekly, Real Health and commercials nationwide.  A full time motivational speaker, weight-loss coach, consultant, and product spokesman for companies such as NordicTrack,  Pete travels and spreads his “Winning Principles” to organizations worldwide—both in person and through his website at www.WinningMan.com. 

For an interview with Pete Thomas, contact Anita Lane at 646.450.6214.

Students Sign up outside the recital hall before enteringPete Thomas offers keynote at SVSU weight-loss competition kick-off event

Pete Thomas offers keynote at SVSU weight-loss competition kick-off event

Pete speaks before an attentive crowd at SVSU

Pete offers instructions to the "wall-sitters."

One-by-one, individuals leave the wall--unable to hold on any longer...

Only two competitors remain...

Cross Country teammate comes to encourage...

Over twelve minutes later, 1 remains...Caitlin Chojnacki!

Pete Thomas and the SVSU "Wallsit Winner"--Caitlin Chojnacki

Pete Thomas, SVSU event organizers and sponsor, HealthPlus

Washington, D.C. — On October 23, 2010, Pete Thomas, the Season 2 At-Home Winner of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” teamed up with Executive Chef Robert Hedetniemi of the National Institutes of Health, and Ambassador for First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” Campaign—to encourage healthy eating to the nation’s next generation of scientists and engineers at the Inaugural USA Science & Engineering Festival in Washington, D.C.

As Pete shared the secrets and the science behind his 185 pound weight loss, Chef Hedetniemi cooked up an entire day’s worth of simple, healthy meals to show the audience just how delicious healthy eating can be.  On the menu for the day was:

 Breakfast
Pomegranate and Fig Parfait
(Plain low-fat yogurt with granola, pomegranate and figs)

 Lunch
Apple Encrusted Autumn Salad
(Mixed greens with toasted pumpkin seeds, red, yellow and orange peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, chicken breast, avocado and cinnamon apple chips—served with a dressing made of olive oil, apple cider vinegar and salt and pepper.)

Dinner
Vegetable Pasta Sauté  
(Whole wheat Gobetti Pasta with shallots, asparagus, scallions, mushrooms, spinach leaves, tomatoes basil and Parmigianino cheese.)

Pete and Chef Hedetneimi had fun engaging the audience along the way.  The duo even had a surprise appearance by Sprocket, the walking, talking Robot who heard the “ Biggest Loser” was on stage and came to greet him.   Pete and Sprocket had an entertaining conversation about what it takes to “fuel” the body—at which point we learned that Sprocket runs on a rechargeable battery fueled by electricity. 

In just 50 minutes, Pete and Chef Hedetniemi were able to dispel the myth that healthy eating is expensive, tasetless and time-consuming.  Instead, the duo demonstrated how very tasty, economical and time-conscious healthy meals can be.

About the USA Science & Engineering Festival
Hosted by Lockheed Martin, the USA Science & Engineering Festival is the country’s first national science festival. It is the ultimate multi-cultural, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary celebration of science in the United States designed to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.  The Festival culminated in  a two-day Expo in the nation’s capital that contained over 1500 fun, hands-on science activities, over 75 stage shows and performances and exhibits. The Festival is a grassroots collaboration of over 500 of the nation’s leading science organizations. The Festival also has a bipartisan Honorary Congressional Host Committee with over 100 Congressional Members supporting its efforts. Learn more at http://www.usasciencefestival.org/.

About Pete Thomas
In 2005, Pete Thomas walked away from the finale of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” a winner – and a loser. He won $100,000 for losing the most weight of all contestants that season. What he lost was 185 pounds in nine short months! Five years later, Pete has kept the weight off and he’s creating other “Biggest Losers” through his teaching and coaching programs and has dedicated his life to helping eradicate America’s obesity epidemic through motivation, inspiration and education.

Pete’s amazing energy, endlessly upbeat tone and extremely positive message have transformed him into a highly skilled TV personality, teacher, certified trainer, and a much sought-after motivational speaker to groups and corporations around the country. Pete has appeared on ABC’s The View, The 700 Club, and eXtra as well as being featured in People Magazine, Runner’s World, TV Guide, inTouch Weekly and Real Health. In addition, Pete has completed two full triathlons, a full marathon and several half-marathons since his time on The Biggest Loser.

Pete spreads his “Winning Principles” to organizations nationwide through www.WinningMan.com.

For an interview with Pete Thomas, contact Anita Lane at 646.450.6214.

Pete was able to share innovative solutions with employers on how to make the most of their wellness programs…And the audience LOVED it!

Michael Alexander, Sr. Specialist for Target Corporate GiftCards had fantastic things to say about Pete’s speech. “Pete is an outstanding motivational speaker. I really enjoyed it. The Power Point and the information Pete presented was very educational, informative and quite entertaining. He did a great job!”

Pete’s inspirational message hit a home run with the international audience as well. Individuals from the Middle East, India, Mexico and Latin America expressed how compelling Pete’s presentation was and how his “Winning in the Workplace” message resonates with them as well.

Overall, the four day event was an opportunity to both share and learn from the many hundreds of companies and organizations from around the globe. It was a great opportunity for Pete to continue to share his winning principles with companies and individuals worldwide!