As the year winds to a close, we’re taking a moment here at Healthier 901 to pause, breathe, and celebrate how far we’ve come together on our journey toward a healthier, longer life. In 2025, our Healthier 901 community didn’t just move more—we moved with purpose. We cheered each other on, showed up for ourselves, and proved that small, steady steps can lead to extraordinary, lasting change.

Momentum, not perfection

Since our program’s launch, Healthier 901 participants have logged a staggering 2.3 billion steps, burned more than 334 million calories, and collectively lost more than 13,000 pounds. That’s millions of miles walked, countless moments of commitment, and the kind of progress you can feel—in stronger hearts, more energized mornings, and a community that’s getting healthier by the day. And at the 2025 Healthier 901 Fest, 7,000 participants came together to celebrate this movement.

Milestones like these remind us what matters most: momentum, not perfection. Because every walk around the block, every mindful meal, every “I did it anyway” moment adds up.

Take a moment to reflect

Before we step boldly into 2026, we hope you’ll pause for a moment and take stock of your own wins this year. Maybe you took more steps in December than you did in January, or you discovered a workout that finally clicks. Maybe you subbed a few healthy ingredients into your favorite recipes or added a walk to your midday routine. Perhaps you celebrated small victories in your emotional well-being—finding moments of calm, nurturing meaningful connections, or simply giving yourself permission to rest when you needed it.

Your health journey isn’t just measured in steps or calories: it’s measured in how you feel, how you show up for yourself, and how you care for your mind, body, and soul. So, celebrate those wins. Write them down. Share them with someone who cheers you on and let them fuel your intentions for the year ahead. When you take time to take stock of your progress, you’re not just moving toward a healthier lifestyle; you’re learning to honor yourself along the way.

People power

Healthier 901 has always been about more than numbers. It’s about people—neighbors, coworkers, families—making choices that nourish body and soul. It’s about turning movement into a mood booster, trading screen time for sunshine, and finding joy in the journey instead of waiting for the destination.

So as we wrap up 2025, take a bow, friends. You’ve earned it. Whether you joined a community walk, laced up for your first 5K, hit Shelby Farms for Healthier 901 Fest, or simply moved a little more than you did last year, you’re part of something big. Something powerful.

And the best part? We’re just getting started.

The best is yet to come

“We are proud of every Healthier 901 participant who took a step—big or small—toward a healthier lifestyle in 2025,” said Michael Ugwueke, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare president and CEO. “Together, we are building a stronger, healthier Mid-South community, one choice at a time.”

Here’s to all you’ve accomplished and to everything that’s still to come. Let’s step into 2026 with renewed energy, a strong sense of community spirit, and the belief that every move matters. Because when we move together, there’s no limit to what we can achieve.