Live Well was all about, well, living well. This first-ever event, presented by Ollis & Co., gave 250 ladies a full day of fun centered around health, wellness and fitness on April 13 at the O’Reilly Family Event Center. The day educated and entertained with eight full-on fitness classes, four interactive attractions including a three-lane bungee run and a rock climbing wall, three wellness seminars, two healthy cooking classes by Price Cutter and a marketplace full of health-focused vendors. Premium Beverage hydrated the ladies with their Modjo sports drinks and Fiji water, and Infused Catering powered them up with a healthy lunch including a house salad with spring mix and homemade balsamic Italian dressing, a smoked turkey wrap and a fresh fruit salad.

The day concluded with the announcement of our Wellness Warrior competition. We asked our readers to nominate their fitness icons and wellness motivators who we dubbed Wellness Warriors. We received an overwhelming response and narrowed down our entries to 13 finalists (11 singles and one couple): Jason & Holly Barnes; Dave Bishop; Gene Crites; Jodelle Fitzwater; Janieca Hancock; Brandon Hetzler; Jamie Kinkeade; Lance Luria, MD; Krystal Metzelthin; Jennifer Mitchell; David Poland and Shauna Smith Yates. With more than 18,000 total votes during the week leading up to the event, David Poland was named our first-ever Wellness Warrior.

The 417 Magazine Live Well Fitness Fest & Expo was a huge success!
If you missed out on the action, check out our Facebook gallery of images here.

A special thanks to all of the instructors, presenters and vendors for helping make this day such a huge success: Active Life Chiropractic, Advanced Laser Clinic, Aerosha*, ATA Martial Arts, Balance Fitness Studio*, The Basement, Bryan University, Center for Plastic Surgery, CoxHealth Fitness Centers*, DermaHealth Laser and Skin Care Clinic, Design Fitness/Chi Running/Chi Walking, Dunham’s Martial Arts, Family Pharmacy*, Grove Spa/Grove Pharmacy,  Infused Catering, Jazzercize*, Jenny Craig, Martial Arts USA, Martino Training Systems, Meek Chiropractic, Mercy Clinic Audiology, Mercy Clinic Eye Specialists, Mercy Corporate Health and Wellness*, Mercy Clinic Oral and Maxillofacial, Nutrition is Key, Premium Beverage, Price Cutter*, Primal Fitness*, Running Chics, Sumits Hot Yoga*, Supplement Superstore, Vision Clinic, Wellcoach for Women, YMCA and Zen 3 Spa & Bodyworks.
*This company hosted a fitness class or seminar.
 

Saturday, April 13 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Advanced tickets: $15 *$20 at the door Presented by Ollis and Company O'Reilly Family Event Center 935 N Summit Ave, Springfield, MO 65802 Join the fun at an interactive fitness expo for women! Here's what you can expect: • Choose from eight invigorating fitness classes • Get advice from the regions’ experts • Attend a healthy cooking class • Enjoy a complimentary power lunch • Shop for fitness apparel • Visit with health-focused vendors • Enjoy a relaxing massage • Get a mini consultation • Educate yourself at a wellness seminar • See the announcement of our Wellness Warrior winner • And more Ticket price includes access to all fitness classes, educational sessions, the marketplace and a complimentary power lunch provided by Infused Catering.

Live Well Fitness Fest & Expo gives female 417-landers an opportunity to sample a wide range of healthy options to improve their fitness level. This is not a static event where you just get your cholesterol checked, although those kinds of screenings will be available, Live Well is more of a chance to actually learn how to improve your fitness profile whether it’s sampling an exercise class, getting a health screening or attending a healthy cooking class.

Women are encouraged to come in workout clothes with their girlfriends and have a girl’s day out. This is a fun, non-threatening environment. Instead of having to pay for an exercise class that you may or may not like, at Live Well, you can sample a variety of activities to find one that suits you…and that you’ll stick with.

A Marketplace area on the gym floor, seminars in the private rooms and healthy cooking demonstrations with Price Cutter’s Chef James Clary in the mezzanine of the O’Reilly Events Center is where most of the Live Well events take place. Exercise classes are held in the Weiser and Mabee Gyms.

Nominations for Wellness Warrior have closed. Check back on April 8 for voting.