Exploring Life & Business with Kristin Markey of Nest Health Connections

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristin Markey

Hi Kristin, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My professional career spanned over 20 years with sales, marketing and strategy leadership roles in the fitness industry. In 2016 I began exploring holistic practices and alternative methods to health. Meditation became a daily part of my life, and I quickly learned the benefits the practice had on my stress levels. My curiosity for these practices grew stronger, and the more I learned, the more I felt like I could offer something unique to the corporate wellness model. I started observing corporate wellness from a new perspective and found that most programs viewed wellness as solely diet and fitness, lacking any personalization or customization. Inspiration took root, and I decided to expand the corporate idea of wellbeing.

In 2017, I founded Nest Health Connections, a corporate wellbeing company that takes a holistic and customized approach. At first, I had only a few clients, but I emphasized the importance of small steps and going beyond conventional practices. I created a culture of wellness and community unique to each company, integrating workplaces and local wellness providers. Employees were introduced and connected to these providers, receiving regular educational talks on various wellness topics and participating in health challenges coordinated by me.

It wasn’t long before the word of my unique approach to corporate wellbeing began to spread. Today, Nest Health Connections provides wellness programming for corporations across North America, impacting over 20,000 employees and the results have been phenomenal. When working with Nest, companies can expect a significant ROI – from decreased health insurance premiums, improved employee retention and recruitment efforts to a workforce that feels cared for. My goal is to create a culture of wellness among employees, recognizing that health and wellbeing is more than just exercise and nutrition. It’s about connecting with people, understanding their needs and concerns, and offering a variety of solutions and remedies.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It certainly hasn’t been a smooth road, especially with the challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic. When the pandemic hit, many businesses struggled, and wellness programs were often the first to be cut. However, this challenge became an opportunity for us to innovate and adapt. We shifted to creating virtual wellness programs, finding new ways to keep employees engaged and supported remotely. Despite the difficulties, this pivot allowed us not only to stay in business but to triple our business over the last two years and double our revenue growth in the last year. The pandemic forced us to think creatively and reaffirmed the importance of our personalized, integrative approach to wellness, ultimately strengthening Nest Health Connections and expanding our impact.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Nest Health Connections?
What really sets Nest Health Connections apart is our deep integration with employers and our holistic approach to wellbeing. We work closely with senior leaders to create a culture of wellness and ensure effective communication and engagement throughout the organization. Our robust wellbeing program includes everything from education, gardening, community service projects to cooking demos, 5Ks, hiking challenges, hydration challenges and so much more. We build strong connections with employees and their families, fostering a culture of wellness that encourages participation and support. By creating community platforms, we invite employees to share their wellness wins and support them in their struggles, ensuring a supportive and connected environment. We meet employees where they are at and give them a variety of content to engage with. Whether you only have time for a 10 min podcast, a 2 min breath video, or want to participate in a 7 k, Nest has something for everyone. At Nest, we believe in making wellness a shared journey, and we’re proud to offer a wide range of accessible activities that cater to diverse interests and needs.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The most important quality to my success is the belief in the power of small, daily steps and encouraging people along their wellness journey. I focus on incremental changes that can lead to significant transformations over time. By offering a wide variety of wellness topics, I ensure there’s always something that can resonate with someone at the right moment. We have hundreds of wellness thought leaders that we have worked with over the years, and are always bringing in more holistic providers and practitioners to help share the many facets and topics within the wellness world. This approach helps create meaningful connections and inspires individuals to make lasting changes, knowing that every small step counts.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nesthealthconnections.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nesthealthconnections/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nesthealthconnections/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4UHBuyMnd2y3tXotjT4ZXQ
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/3IEvtgE24qTiZDIqYhTNlH?si=e73bc0ca7da54a43&nd=1&dlsi=c0fa3b63ce2f4c18