RESET Challenge Winners: An Unforgettable Grand Prize

RESET+button2Listen, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little worried about covering the RESET Challenge winners’ stay at Sanoviv. After all, it’s a super health-conscious place, and let’s face it, I struggle with making healthy decisions on a daily basis.

Now that I’m back in the states, typing away in my cubicle, I realize that I never had anything to worry about at all. And I can tell you that the best thing I took away from my time at Sanoviv were 33 new friends, each one with their own inspiring transformation story.

As I flip through my many pages of notes, I can’t help but miss all of the RESET winners. Being able to speak and interact with them day in and day out for almost a week was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had since starting my job with USANA.

The Arrival

I sat with a few of my colleagues at a small desk in the lobby of Sanoviv on Wednesday, May 1, waiting for the RESET winners to arrive. I wasn’t sure what to expect, as I’d never met any of the contestants in person. All I had to reference were their transformation essays they submitted upon completion of the challenge.

Soon, the first group of winners was dropped off outside the front doors of Sanoviv. As they trickled in one by one, I quickly knew this was going to be an incredible week. Each person entered the lobby with a look of excitement on their face — a look that displayed a sense of accomplishment, anticipation, and gratitude all wrapped into one.

There were no Ruby, Emerald, or Diamond Directors among them. They were your average, hard-working Associates that so many of us can relate to — the ones still working toward their dreams of true health and true wealth. But what many of us might not relate to is their dramatic transformation that they worked so hard to achieve. And it was because of all this that they were so thankful and appreciative of every experience Sanoviv had to offer.

Chief Communications Officer Dan Macuga giving a speech at the special welcome dinner

Chief Communications Officer Dan Macuga giving a speech at the special welcome dinner

The Experience

Each day was crammed with exciting activities, and the Sanoviv staff made sure to keep everyone on track by printing out a personalized daily schedule for each of the winners. From early morning laughter yoga to afternoon reflexology and sea salt scrub appointments, every person was fully immersed in the Sanoviv lifestyle.

The RESET winners working out ocean side with Kathy Kaehler

The RESET winners working out ocean side with Kathy Kaehler

The guest speakers didn’t disappoint, either. Whether it was a Sanoviv nutrition certification course taught by Sue Ward or a special health and nutrition presentation given by USANA’s Executive Director of Scientific and Clinical Affairs Brian Dixon, the contestants were taught the crucial lessons needed to ensure they continue their new lives of health and wellness. Oh, and don’t forget that they were treated to daily workouts from the one and only Kathy Kaehler. (Trust me, that lady means business when it comes to workin’ up a sweat!) She even gave the winners a crash course on her famous Sunday Set-Up routine.

Kathy Kaehler treated everyone with her special Sunday Set-Up presentation.

Kathy Kaehler treated everyone with her special Sunday Set-Up presentation.

Maybe one of the most eventful parts of the entire experience was when Dr. Wentz himself casually dropped in for a surprise visit. The look on the Challenge winners’ faces was priceless! You could feel the enthusiasm as they scrambled to get in line and get their photo taken with Dr. Wentz.

Partners category winners Greg and Casey Moore were so excited to have Dr. Wentz visit Sanoviv during their stay.

Partners category winners Greg and Casey Moore were so excited to have Dr. Wentz visit Sanoviv during their stay.

As far as the super healthy food that I was a little worried about (would I only be eating lettuce and water?), there was no need for concern. After all the education I received on nutrition, I was so thankful to be treated to the freshest, healthiest meals day in and day out. (Sanoviv even grows the majority of the vegetables we ate right outside the front doors in their massive garden!) The variety of healthy proteins, fruits, and veggies (I’ve never seen so many types of sprouts in my life!) meant we were always eating real, unprocessed food that tasted delicious.

Top male percentage weight-loss winner Joseph Vandervelden and his wife Pauline enjoy a tasty paleo-shake during an all-liquid cleanse day.

Top male percentage weight-loss winner Joseph Vandervelden and his wife Pauline enjoy a tasty paleo-shake during an all-liquid cleanse day.

The Departure

When the time came for all of us to leave Sanoviv, it was definitely a bittersweet feeling. As I mentioned, we had all formed a tight bond in the short time we spent together, and thinking about leaving the healing grounds of Sanoviv and entering the real world filled with the daily responsibilities we’d been able to escape for a short time wasn’t the most exciting thought.

What brought us all comfort in this tearful goodbye was knowing what we were leaving with. The knowledge we gained from Sanoviv would stick with us for the rest of our lives. Even though I knew from my many interviews that the Challenge winners would stop at nothing to continue their weight-loss journeys, it was reassuring to know that they had this amazing week to relax and educate themselves.

Sanoviv may have been somewhat of a mystery to me before this whole experience, but now I understand exactly why it was chosen as the grand prize for the Destination Transformation winners. I can’t think of a more appropriate place for my new friends to visit after accomplishing the drastic changes they so desperately wanted to make. Please join me in congratulating and encouraging these 33 inspiring individuals to continue their new, healthy lifestyles they worked so hard to achieve.

Keep checking back for upcoming stories about the RESET Challenge winners and hear directly from them about their experiences and how they were able to change their lives by living healthy.

The USANA RESET Challenge: Destination Transformation winners at Sanoviv.

The USANA RESET Challenge: Destination Transformation winners at Sanoviv.

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1 reply
  1. Ekayani Chamberlin
    Ekayani Chamberlin says:

    Congratulations 33!!! I can’t wait to read the stories! Nick this is great! I feel rewarded and I wasn’t even there. Yay!!! Yay Dr. Wentz!!!

    Reply

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