True Wellness

09/01/2026

Check it out! The 2026 Community Health Survey is now open for residents living or working in Chippewa, Dunn and Eau Claire Counties. 👇💚

NEWS RELEASE:
Calling all residents of Chippewa, Dunn, and Eau Claire counties: A partnership of local organizations is seeking opinions from people who live and work in the Chippewa Valley about the most important health issues in our communities. The survey opens TODAY!

Tell us what's most important to you. Your feedback will help guide future health improvements in your community.

Take the 5-minute survey: https://qrco.de/cha2026e
Read the press release about the project: https://cms2.revize.com/revize/eauclairecountywi/Documents/Departments/Health/There%27s%20More/News%20Releases/2026/09-01-26%20Public%20can%20help%20shape%20health%20of%20Chippewa%20Valley%20by%20sharing%20input%20via%20survey.pdf?t=202609011258240

09/01/2026

What drives us to build healthier, more connected communities?

Our Executive Director, Natasha Ward, recently joined Northern Spirit Radio to talk about the “why” behind TrueWellness and how we can engineer well-being into everyday life.

Give it a listen and discover why our health matters. 👇

Today we follow up to a visit we had 2 months ago with Margaret Brown of Blue Zones, as we drill down into the same work from the local focus on up. True Wellness was formed about a year ago to explore and chart the way for better health, community wide, in Northwest Wisconsin, and Natasha Ward is t...

08/16/2026

We’re hiring!

TrueWellness is looking for a Community & Organizational Well-being Lead to help build partnerships and create healthier workplaces, schools, organizations, and communities across Northwest Wisconsin.

If you’re passionate about community health, connecting people, and creating meaningful change, we’d love to hear from you!

Hybrid | Eau Claire
Full-time | Starting at $80,000

Learn more and apply here: https://www.indeed.com/job/community-and-organizational-well-being-lead-3f591496654f019c

08/11/2026

Sometimes, getting back on track starts with something really small.

A glass of water. A short walk. A few minutes to reset. One healthy choice can create momentum for the next, and before you know it, those small wins can start adding up.

In our latest blog, Jessie Podolak shares a simple reminder: you don’t have to transform your life overnight. You just need to take the next small step.

Read “Small Wins Can Change Everything” and find some inspiration for your own upward spiral.

https://truewellness.org/blog/small-wins

08/09/2026

🌱Community gardens grow more than food. They grow community.

We’ve been inspired by the volunteers at Spirit of St. Joseph’s Community Garden in Chippewa Falls, who are growing fresh produce, sharing it with neighbors, and bringing people together around a shared purpose.

But we know they’re not the only ones growing something special!

What community gardens are making a difference where you live?

Tell us about them in the comments and share a photo if you have one!

In case you missed it, read the story behind Spirit of St. Josephs Community Garden here: https://truewellness.org/blog/its-my-mission

08/04/2026

NEW BLOG 🌱

"It's My Mission." Those four words say everything about the volunteers behind Spirit of St. Josephs Community Garden in Chippewa Falls.

What began as a response to food insecurity has grown into something much bigger, a place where neighbors come together to grow fresh produce, build community, and ensure local families have access to healthy food.

Read the inspiring story behind the garden and the mission that continues to grow: https://truewellness.org/blog/its-my-mission

07/29/2026

Meet the newest member of our team!

Hi, my name is Lori Zahrbock, and I am the Community Programs Director for TrueWellness. I have spent more than 15 years working in the nonprofit sector. My passion is helping our communities thrive and ensuring everyone has opportunities to live their best lives. Through my work with individuals experiencing homelessness and with Boys & Girls Clubs, I have gained a strong understanding of the health needs of children, families, and individuals, and how even the smallest change can make a meaningful difference.

I am excited to be part of this innovative, upstream organization that is creating opportunities and driving positive change for so many people across Northwest Wisconsin. As a wife and mother, I want the best for my family as well as those around me, which is why I am passionate about creating opportunities that help people live healthier, more fulfilling lives.

07/28/2026

Have you heard of Lifestyle Medicine?

It's a medical specialty focused on preventing, treating, and even reversing chronic disease by improving the everyday habits that have the biggest impact on our health: nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, social connection, and avoiding risky substances.

In the latest episode of Because Our Health Matters, host Shannon Johnson talks with Dr. Kathleen Findlay, a board-certified lifestyle medicine physician at Western Wisconsin Health, about how these six pillars work alongside traditional medical care to improve health and address the root causes of chronic disease.

You'll also hear where medications fit into the picture, when reducing medications may be appropriate, and an inspiring patient success story.

Tune into the full episode today: https://truewellness.org/podcast/ep2

Western Wisconsin Health

07/21/2026

Feeling overwhelmed? You're not alone.

When life feels like it's moving faster than you can keep up, it's easy to believe you just need to try harder. But what if the answer isn't doing more,it's taking a different approach?

In our newest TrueWellness blog, "Overcome the Overwhelm," we explore practical, realistic strategies to help you slow down, regain perspective, and take small steps toward feeling more in control.

Wellness isn't about perfection, it's about progress. Let's take one step at a time together.

Read the full blog here: https://truewellness.org/blog/overcome-the-overwhelm

07/14/2026

Our newest blog, Love, Service & Longevity, shares the inspiring story of Buffalo County centenarian Earl Hetrick and the values that have guided him through 100 years of life. From hard work and faith to family and community, his story is a powerful reminder that well-being is about more than just living longer, it's about living with purpose. Also, learn why this story is especially meaningful to a member of TrueWellness.

Read the full story on The Pulse now: https://truewellness.org/blog/love-service-and-longevity