Meet Laura, a woman on a mission to take control of her health and embrace a lifestyle rooted in balance, strength, and self-love. Her journey didn’t start with a perfect plan — it started with a decision: to show up for herself. Along the way, she’s faced challenges, celebrated milestones, and discovered just how capable she truly is. This is more than just a story about weight loss or workouts — it’s about resilience, growth, and the power of putting your well-being first.

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As always, we first asked Laura what got her motivated to start her health and wellness journey at Peak Wellness. Here’s what she had to say:

“I first learned about Peak Wellness through my employer, Black Hills Special Services Cooperative. I scheduled an initial consultation and met with the team in January 2024. At that time, I realized I wasn’t quite ready to fully commit to the program, but the idea stayed with me throughout the year. By January 2025, I felt mentally and emotionally prepared to take on the challenge. One of the key motivators that helped make the decision easier was the discount offered through my organization – it made the financial commitment more manageable and gave me the final push I needed to get started.“

Peak Wellness is partnered with many businesses in the Black Hills community and we provide our employer partners benefits for their employees to take advantage of for their health and wellness. We’re glad that Laura took advantage of that and started her journey with us!

We then proceeded to ask Laura how her journey has impacted other aspects of her life.

“I’ve developed a truly active lifestyle. At the beginning of my journey, I struggled to understand what that really meant for me personally. Now, after six months in the program, I can confidently describe what it looks like — from the way I choose to fuel my body to the ways I stay active throughout the week. One of my biggest challenges was slowing down and gathering data about how I was currently living. That reflection helped me identify realistic changes I wanted to make. I don’t feel restricted by my new lifestyle; instead, I feel more intentional with my choices, knowing they’re aligned with the results I want to achieve.“

No health and wellness journey is perfect. There are bound to be some hurdles and setbacks that you’ll come across that may be out of your control. Laura shared with us her initial challenges and how she overcame them.

“One of my biggest initial challenges was being too focused on the number on the scale. Over time, I learned to shift my mindset and celebrate non-scale victories. I started paying more attention to how my mind felt — asking myself questions like: “How am I sleeping?”, “How are my energy levels?”, “Am I truly hungry, or is it something else?”. That self-awareness helped me better understand how to care for myself.

In the beginning, I was very diligent about completing the MyHealthyJourney entries. That consistency allowed me to really look at the data and understand what I was eating and how much. It gave me a clearer picture of my habits and helped me make more informed, sustainable changes.“

We wanted to know more about Laura’s achievements and any significant milestones that she’s proud of. Here’s what she shared with us:

“Of course, I’m proud of the weight I’ve lost – but even more than that, I’m proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone, trying a new program, and taking the time to truly learn about myself. Prioritizing my health has been a powerful shift. As a mother of three young adults, I’ve always hoped to be a positive role model for them. Throughout this journey, I realized I hadn’t been showing them the importance of self-care — that you need to take care of yourself first in order to be well enough to give to others.

Now, I’m proud to be setting that example. I regularly talk to my family and friends about my journey, and I know I’ve inspired some of them to start taking better care of themselves as well. That ripple effect is one of the most meaningful parts of this experience for me.“

These are truly incredible achievements! It’s not just about the number on the scale — it’s about the positive changes that ripple out, impacting not only your own life but also those around you. That’s what’s truly worth celebrating.

At Peak Wellness, health coaching is a big part of our programs. We like to provide weekly accountability to support and guide you through your journey, and to answer questions that can help make things a lot easier and simpler with your meal plan.

Here’s how the coaches helped Laura on her journey.

“I’ve had the opportunity to meet with all the coaches throughout my journey, and each one has impacted me in a meaningful way. I made it a point to listen to their stories, tips and tricks, and I tried to apply what resonated with me. I approached the coaching sessions with curiosity and willingness to experiment — taking ideas and trying them out to see what worked best for me.

What stood out most was the sense of connection and care I felt from each coach. The accountability piece was especially important; it made me reflect during the week on what I wanted to share — whether it was a struggle or a success. The coaches often referred me to helpful resources so I could dive deeper if I chose to. I was always greeted with a smile, and I genuinely looked forward to every session.“

Following that, we asked Laura if she had any favorite activities, classes, or events at Peak Wellness.

“I love a good challenge, so the 1000 Rep Challenge was definitely a favorite of mine. It pushed me to try new exercises and motivated me to go beyond what I thought I could do. Although I’m not located in the Black Hills and couldn’t participate in some of the in-person events, I would have loved to join if I had the opportunity.

One experience that really stood out to me was the 3D body scan. It was completely new to me and incredibly interesting. I liked the idea of comparing my body to itself over time and seeing the progress visually. I was especially excited to receive a ribbon representing the inches I lost and to have a photo of myself signing the wall — something I proudly shared with my family and friends. “

As Laura continues on her program, we asked what her future goals are with her health and wellness.

“I want to continue living a healthy, active lifestyle! I’ve been feeling so energized most days, and I love participating in events that keep me moving. Recently, I joined a local women’s hiking group — and now I proudly consider myself a hiker! I’ve also become a member of the Wellness Committee at work, where I actively participate in and lead activities that promote movement and healthy habits.

When I first joined Peak wellness, I was in the prediabetic range, so one of my ongoing goals is to continue monitoring my A1C and stay on top of my health. I’m committed to maintaining the progress I’ve made and continuing to grow in both body and mind.“

We then asked Laura to share some advice to those who plan on starting their own health and wellness journey.

“Make your journey your own. Don’t be afraid to take an honest look at how you’re currently living and identify small, meaningful changes that can help you live the way you truly want to. Be open and curious — try new ideas and see what works for you. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to say no and try a different approach.

Try not to focus solely on weight loss goals like pounds or inches. Those results will come naturally when you make changes that help you feel better overall. Most importantly, make yourself a priority. Don’t push aside the commitment you’ve made to yourself — you are worth it and you deserve it. And remember, when you take care of yourself, everyone around you benefits too.“

To cap things off, we asked Laura to share some advice to those who are considering on starting their journey, but have financial barriers that hold them back.

“Ask yourself: “What would you pay to feel healthier every day?”. I definitely struggled with the financial aspect at first. But when I took a closer look at where my money was going, I realized I could make adjustments. I chose to cut back in other areas — like skipping a weekend getaway, pausing a streaming service, or eating out less — so I could prioritize my health.

I also noticed that I actually spend less on groceries now. Supplementing with shakes and bars helped reduce impulse buys and unnecessary trips to the store. Being more intentional with my spending made it easier to budget for something that truly benefits me every single day. Investing in your health is one of the most valuable decisions you can make.“

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Laura’s journey is a powerful reminder that real change goes far beyond physical transformation. It’s about showing up, staying consistent, and choosing to prioritize your health — not just for yourself, but for the people you love. Her story inspires us all to take that first step, trust the process, and celebrate every win along the way. Here’s to continuing the journey, one healthy choice at a time!

If you are ready to take the first step, click the link to schedule your FREE consultation appointment and get ready to embark on your personal health and wellness journey! Schedule Now!