Your heart doesn’t need a life overhaul; it needs a few smart levers pulled with consistency. We dive into three powerful drivers of cardiovascular health—cholesterol, stress, and movement—and show how small, sustainable habits can change your numbers and your day-to-day energy.

First, we demystify cholesterol. You’ll learn why LDL and HDL behave differently in the bloodstream, how plaque forms quietly over time, and which simple nutrition shifts truly move the needle. From soluble fiber in oats, beans, and flaxseed to unsaturated fats in olive oil, avocados, nuts, and salmon, we map out approachable changes that lower LDL and support HDL. We also explain why routine lipid panels matter, what “silent risk” really means, and how to think about genetics, age, hormones, and lifestyle in a way that empowers—not overwhelms.

Next, we tackle chronic stress as a cardiovascular issue, not just a mood killer. We walk through fight-or-flight physiology, the role of cortisol and adrenaline, and how ongoing tension raises blood pressure and inflammation. Expect practical tools you can use immediately: slow, intentional breathing to switch on your relaxation response; sleep routines that steady hormones; and micro-moments of connection that buffer stress. We speak candidly about gender differences, the behavior loops that stress fuels, and when to reach for professional support through counseling or your EAP.

Finally, we make movement feel doable. Cardio builds endurance, strength training improves metabolism and blood sugar control, and daily motions—stairs, yard work, walking meetings—add up faster than you think. We share simple frameworks to get to 150 minutes a week, why ten minutes beats zero, and how consistency transforms your heart more than any single workout.

If this helped you rethink heart health, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review. Your support helps more people find simple steps that protect the heart they live with every day.

Start the year with a plan that actually fits your life. We’re kicking off our Roadmap to Wellness by helping you design a personalized route across seven dimensions—physical, mental, social, financial, environmental, and spiritual—so you can make steady progress you’re proud of. Think of it as a choose-your-own-adventure for health: pick the stops, set your speed, and celebrate each milestone without chasing perfection.

We share what’s returning and what’s new. From March into May and weekly fitness classes to nutrition workshops, mindfulness sessions, and stress relief webinars, there’s a mix for every schedule. Social connection gets its due with guided hikes, volunteer opportunities, parent support groups, and family-friendly events like ice skate night. Financial wellness isn’t left out—we outline budgeting workshops, savings strategies, coaching, and retirement planning that demystify money decisions and reduce stress. Environmental wellness shows up through sustainability challenges and practical workspace improvements, while spiritual wellness resources help you find focus, balance, and meaning.

To build a route that lasts, start with the WellSteps Personal Health Assessment. That private snapshot reveals high-impact next steps and anchors a plan you can stick to. Then customize with 20+ challenges—fruit and veggie boosts, hydration goals, stress reset practices, self-care streaks—or create your own and invite colleagues. We’re also adding walking art tours to make movement more inspiring and bringing therapy animals to campus for calm, connection, and a quick reset. Cap it off with a vision board workshop to turn intentions into daily cues and momentum.

We want to hear from you. Share ideas, feedback, and milestones on our pages and at events to help shape the year and motivate others. Subscribe, share this episode with a teammate, and leave a quick review so more colleagues can design a roadmap that works for them.

Ready to claim your power at the point where it matters most? Session Zero opens the door to our year-long Diabetes Prevention Program by demystifying prediabetes, explaining A1C in plain language, and laying out a simple path that helps you prevent or delay type 2 diabetes without crash diets or punishment workouts. We focus on practical changes you can use this week—balanced meals, movement you enjoy, real-world tracking, and the overlooked levers of stress and sleep—so your choices feel doable and your progress shows up in energy, mood, and measurable markers.

We start with clarity: what the A1C test reveals about your last three months, how prediabetes signals a pivotal window for change, and why early action pays off. Then we get tactical. You’ll learn how to read nutrition labels without overwhelm, build meals that steady blood sugar, and pick activities that fit your body and schedule. We keep it light, flexible, and personal—no one-size-fits-all plan here. You’ll also see how simple tracking of minutes and meals can reveal patterns that guide smarter tweaks, and how we define success beyond the scale with non-scale victories like improved sleep and a lower A1C.

Sustainability is built in. We lean on habit stacking and approachable strategies inspired by Atomic Habits to make progress feel automatic over time. The program structure—weekly sessions to start, then every other week, then monthly—keeps you supported without burnout. You’ll receive class materials, community, and free A1C testing at key touchpoints to mark your progress. Whether you’re curious or ready to commit, you’ll leave Session Zero with confidence, a clear next step, and a team in your corner.

Take the one-minute prediabetes risk test, complete the quick enrollment survey, and join us for Session One where we set your personal goals and get moving together. If this helps, subscribe, share with someone who’d benefit, and leave a review to spread the word.

Lindsay Van Roo, a licensed clinical social worker, shares her deeply personal journey of losing her mother to colon cancer while navigating her new role as a mother herself, offering valuable insights on grief, therapy, and supporting loved ones through illness.

• Finding balance between supporting a loved one with cancer and caring for your own mental health
• Embracing conflicting emotions during grief—allowing joy and pain to coexist
• Using the "circle of control" concept to focus on what you can manage during difficult times
• Importance of therapy as a safe space to express all emotions, especially the difficult ones
• How to support someone who has lost a loved one by asking specific questions
• Creating meaningful ways to remember and celebrate those we've lost
• The value of vulnerability and sharing stories as part of the healing process

For support with navigating cancer personally or with a loved one, remember you don't have to do it alone. Therapy can be a place to process, breathe, and heal. You can reach out to our EAP services, VEST, to connect with a therapist today.

Ever feel like healthy eating is an impossible goal in your busy life? Take a deep breath—this episode is your permission slip to ditch perfection and embrace progress instead.

Wellness Coordinator Brittany Perry breaks down how sustainable nutrition actually works in real life, not just in aspirational Instagram posts. She introduces a refreshing perspective: instead of focusing on what to eliminate from your diet, concentrate on what nutrient-rich foods you can add to your meals. This simple mindset shift transforms healthy eating from a punishment into an opportunity.

Did you know your taste buds regenerate every 10-14 days? If you've written off certain vegetables based on childhood experiences, your adult palate might surprise you. Brittany explains how to stock your kitchen with versatile, budget-friendly staples that make nutritious meals possible even on your busiest days. Her practical advice on ingredient prepping (not necessarily full meal prepping) helps you create mix-and-match components that adapt to your changing schedule and cravings.

The episode demolishes common nutrition myths, explaining why all three macronutrients—carbs, proteins, and fats—are essential for your body's optimal functioning. Using a clever car analogy, Brittany illustrates how each nutrient group serves a vital purpose in keeping your "engine" running smoothly. Her tips for mindful eating help you reconnect with food enjoyment while honoring your body's natural hunger signals.

Whether you're a cooking enthusiast or someone who dreads meal planning, you'll find actionable strategies that work for your lifestyle. From smart grocery shopping to creative leftover transformations, these techniques help you build sustainable habits without sacrificing satisfaction.

Ready to personalize your nutrition journey? Take advantage of the six free health coaching sessions available through the Salt Lake County Employee Wellness Program. Visit the website to find the perfect coach for your specific goals and start nourishing yourself in ways that feel good, taste great, and fit your real life.

Join our very own, Brittany Parry, and Parks and Recreation, Bess Thompson, as they talk about the community and connection that is found at Salt Lake County recreation centers. Bess is a recreation center manager that has an insiders look on the overall health benefits that can be enjoyed if one just walks in and "checks it out"! After this listen, you are guaranteed to take a trip to your local county rec center for some fun!

It’s your body’s largest organ, your first line of defense, and it tells your story. So today, let’s talk skin — more specifically, why sunscreen isn’t optional and why a skin check could literally save your life. 

Part II of our resilience Wellcast is all about work. Listen in for tips and tricks with Dr. Lock from the University of Utah's resilience program on how we can create better environments for our teams and ourselves through vulnerability and advocating for ourselves.

Strengthen your resilience with this Wellcast episode as we talk to Dr. Lock from the University of Utah and Utah Valley University about understanding what resilience is and how we can overcome stress and burnout by focusing on our values and connecting with others. 

Vaccines represent one of our most powerful tools for disease prevention, yet they remain shrouded in misunderstanding and controversy. Nurse Troy Davis, a supervisor with Salt Lake County Health Department's immunizations program, pulls back the curtain on how vaccines actually work and why they matter.

Have you ever wondered about the extensive journey a vaccine takes before reaching your doctor's office? Troy walks us through the comprehensive 10-15 year development process, explaining how vaccines move from initial discovery through animal testing and three phases of human clinical trials before receiving FDA approval. Safety isn't just a consideration—it's the absolute priority at every stage, with multiple surveillance systems continuing to monitor vaccines even after they reach the public.

The science behind different vaccine types comes alive as Troy explains how inactivated viruses, live-attenuated vaccines, mRNA technology, and subunit vaccines each work to teach our immune systems to recognize and fight pathogens. He clarifies why some vaccines require boosters while others provide lifetime immunity, and addresses the critical importance of following recommended vaccination schedules based on years of research showing optimal timing for immune response.

Perhaps most compelling is Troy's explanation of community immunity—how our vaccination decisions affect not just our own health but protect vulnerable individuals who cannot receive certain vaccines due to medical conditions. Through clear examples and thoughtful analysis, he dismantles common misconceptions about "natural" immunity and vaccine safety, reminding us that diseases like measles and polio remain just "a short plane trip away" despite their current rarity in the United States.

Ready to separate vaccine fact from fiction? Listen now to gain clarity on this essential public health tool and understand how vaccines continue to evolve to meet tomorrow's health challenges.