Rethinking Well-being: A Holistic Approach from SkillsGym Health

Two years ago, we stirred up some controversy with a provocative LinkedIn post titled "Why your current well-being program sucks and how to fix it." While some dubbed it as controversial, we stood firm in our belief that many well-being initiatives are missing the mark. At SkillsGym Health, we're on a mission to revolutionize the way we think about well-being, and here's why.

The crux of the issue lies in the fragmented nature of traditional well-being programs. They often focus on singular aspects of health, neglecting the holistic nature of human beings. Take, for instance, the yoga teacher drowning in stress, the gym-goer struggling to shed pounds despite regular workouts, or the elite athlete sacrificing their body for performance. These anecdotes paint a grim picture of a system that has lost touch with common sense.

Enter Nils Maes, co-founder of SkillsGym Health, whose background as an elite athlete and gym owner lends invaluable insight. He's witnessed firsthand the pitfalls of one-dimensional approaches to health. The truth is, extremes rarely yield sustainable results. Whether it's marathon running with bad posture, the successful professional without sleep, or abstaining from alcohol at the expense of social connection, these tactics fail to address the complexities of human physiology and psychology.

So, how do we bridge the gap between fragmented programs and holistic health? The answer lies in lifestyle medicine—the study of health, not just the absence of disease. At SkillsGym Health, we've centered our approach around the five pillars of lifestyle medicine: nutrition, sleep, connection, mental and emotional resilience, and movement.

But here's the kicker: we don't just pay lip service to these pillars. We live and breathe them, integrating them into every facet of our programs. It's about consistency, cultivating small habits that pack a powerful punch across all five pillars. Whether it's swapping out processed foods for whole, nourishing options, prioritizing restorative sleep, fostering meaningful connections, building mental fortitude, or moving our bodies in ways that feel good—we leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of holistic well-being.

And perhaps most importantly, we measure what matters. Gone are the days of blindly following cookie-cutter programs with no tangible results. We track the impact of our interventions, celebrating the small victories that pave the way for lasting change.

So, to the skeptics who scoff at our bold claims, we invite you to join us on this journey of redefining well-being. It's time to shift our focus from fixing what's broken to nurturing what's already whole. At SkillsGym Health, we're not just selling a program—we're championing a paradigm shift. Are you ready to make the leap?

Maybe start with a guided Wim Hof Breathing session by Nils Maes by commenting BREATHE below. Or if you're from HR, you could join us for a free experience day at our HQ. It's up to you to build healthy (lifestyle) habits, but we can help make it easier!

Until next time, I've chosen fun and impactful habits to tell you more about in my next LinkedIn Live and newsletter!

Sarah