When it comes to workplace benefits, offers vary - especially in small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). From innovative on-site fitness centers to cutting-edge group health solutions, corporations with the capital to afford it are integrating wellness offerings into their benefits packages. A staggering 85% of large employers, those with 200 or more employees, and 54% of small employers embraced health and wellness programs in 2022, seeking to foster healthier and happier workforces. However, not all wellness programs are created equal, and this is where the narrative takes an exciting turn. While corporate giants like Google may wield the resources to offer top-tier employee health programs, startups are charting their own course in prioritizing employee wellbeing, as underscored by the remarkable journey of CEO of FIX Health, Mike Tinney.
Tinney, the visionary creator of A Step Ahead, a mobile game that uses your real-world steps to run from 'bad guys,' has brought forth a novel approach to fostering employee health: true gamification. A Step Ahead is not just a mobile game; it's a gateway to a world of exhilarating team competition that helps make your daily walk an addiction. Imagine narratives intertwined with zombies, aliens, and robots, where your physical prowess - okay, maybe just how many steps you take in a day - translates into points earned. It's wellness reimagined in the spirit of playful achievement and a dash of good ol' dopamine addiction.
Tinney, with a lifetime steeped in the art of game design, is an ardent proponent of the gamification of health and wellness. In his perspective, games transcend mere entertainment; they hold the potential to catalyze behavioral change and promote cultural empathy - two pivotal elements of a robust SMB wellness program. With a calm-yet-deeply-passionate demeanor, Tinney articulated his mission to us: "When health pursuits become as immediately rewarding as a captivating gaming experience, priorities shift, and health becomes not just a chore, but a joy."
A Trailblazing Paradigm Shift
Tinney's vision and FIX Health's approach stand in stark contrast to the conventional paradigms entrenched in the US healthcare system. Traditionally, the system has emphasized fee-for-service models, often favoring reactive 'sick care' over proactive, value-based preventive care. In this landscape, Tinney's venture is a breath of fresh air, finding its footing through forward-thinking collaborations with employers who recognize the profound dividends of a content and healthier workforce.
A masterstroke lies in FIX Health's direct-to-employer model. "We're a boutique company," Tinney explained with candor, "A lightweight, turnkey solution primed to transform populations, whether large or small." This scalability and agility to serve diverse sizes of clientele are testaments to Tinney's acumen and passion. It was hard not to feel the thrill he clearly has every day, as he described FIX Health's innovative approach: "We've designed A Step Ahead to be the conduit of movement, igniting people's lives, and designed for the long haul."
The Path to Transformation: From Sedentary to Active
As technology's embrace ushers in unprecedented convenience, physical inactivity has stealthily risen. Surprisingly, over 60% of Americans don't meet recommended physical activity levels, and 25% are entirely inactive. Tinney's sensible insight - that a mere 30 minutes of intense physical activity, five days a week, can thwart numerous long-term health risks - has become the foundation of FIX Health's mission. The company endeavors to propel employees toward this transformative goal within a mere six weeks of partnership.
"We really are changing lives," Tinney expounded. "I have seen countless people go from 'couch potato' to avid walker, because they become addicted to seeing their progress in our simple game. It is effective, it is bringing health to so many sedentary workers, and it breeds a communal aspect within workplaces that we weren't expecting but are pleasantly surprised by. Not to mention the reports we get from our clients' HR teams, that work efficiency increases when A Step Ahead is in play."
The Power of Unity in Play
FIX Health's innovation extends beyond individual journeys; it's a journey shared. The app's design fosters synergy and synchronicity within teams. Every member plays the game, participating collectively in tracking and contributing to their team's success. No longer limited by geography, people from different time zones and locations converge, united by a common pursuit of health and vitality - and running from zombies, aliens, and robots!
Bright Horizon
As A Step Ahead continues to expand its footprint, Tinney and his dedicated team remain unwavering in their commitment. With an unwavering dedication to enhancing user experiences, the team has realized an astonishing surge in user retention, soaring from 63% to an impressive 94%. Their vision transcends corporate hierarchies, embracing Fortune 500 conglomerates and burgeoning startups alike. In the end, their ultimate aspiration remains poetic and profound: To shield individuals from the abyss of inactivity, rekindling the spark of vitality and life.
A Step Ahead, powered by FIX Health, is rewriting the rules of corporate wellness, fusing the allure of play with the essence of health. It's a celebration of gamified vitality, a symphony of collective wellbeing. As Tinney and his team illuminate the path forward, they beckon companies of all sizes to join the journey, and together, prevent the world from succumbing to a lackluster existence - one step, one game, and one victory at a time.
About Mike Tinney
Mike Tinney is the Founder and CEO of FIX Health, which powers A Step Ahead, a wellness app that leverages technology and the expertise of FIX Health's team of health professionals to help individuals take control of their health and wellness. Under Tinney's leadership, FIX Health has become a trusted partner for SMBs seeking to provide cost-efficient and fun ways for their teams to stay healthy. To join in the fun, please visit: astepaheadchallenge.com
