Live Well Willoughby will get you moving on Saturday, August 15 at Wes Point Park

By Patricia Nugent

When you have your health, you have everything. When you do not have your health, nothing else matters at all.” —Augusten Burroughs

All great movements begin with a bright idea…followed by a mountain of effort and intense collaboration. Live Well Willoughby is no different.

In its third year, the community health and wellness event serves up some lofty ambitions: bringing together the local health and wellness communities to educate and empower people to become a healthier version of themselves.

On Saturday, August 15, Wes Point Park will be transformed into a mecca of wellness inspiration.

Last year the ever-popular family-friendly event attracted about 1,000 people, and they are hopeful even more will come out next month.

“With all that’s been happening the past several months, there’s never been a better time for people to focus on their overall health and its connection to disease prevention and longevity,” says organizer Chad Gourley, who runs the event along with his team: Meredith Reinhard, Movement Specialist and Community Events Coordinator, and Hannah Morris, Professional Youth Coach and Communications Manager.

“We’ve had to put extra effort this year into ensuring social distancing practices and proper sanitization will take place. I’m really excited we were able to pull it off. We are thankful for all the community support as we continue to grow.”

Enriching Mind, Body, Spirit
“People seem more introspective about their health since the quarantine happened,” says Chad. “We’re thinking about what we can and cannot do with the rest of our lives ahead of us. How do we want to spend it? By connecting the community to all the players in the health and wellness arena, we’re helping them answer that. Live Well Willoughby is about discovery and learning, a shifting of perspective.”

Live Well Willoughby will feature four different activities to enrich participants of all ages in body, mind, and spirit. The day begins with a yoga experience for all levels at 9 a.m., followed by senior chair yoga at 10 a.m., a functional fitness session for all levels at 11 a.m., and a youth fitness class (ages 7-15) at 12 noon.

“We also have a great group of vendors this year,” he says. “People will learn a lot about healthy foods and fitness opportunities in the area. Every booth will have a form of engagement with attendees. We’ll have gyms, fitness studios, health coaches, medical professionals, nutrition experts, holistic practitioners and healthy restaurants with food samples. We’re also partnering with the Willoughby Market, which offers fresh produce and home-baked goods.”

The charity that will receive proceeds from the event this year is the Willoughby Works program.

The Willoughby Works Foundation was created to advance Willoughby’s Parks and Recreation efforts to enhance the quality of life for the community through fundraising, promotional, social, cultural and educational activities.

“We wanted to help out an effort that addresses youth recreation,” says Chad.

“I see the wellness movement, and initiatives such as Live Well Willoughby, growing to other regions,” says Chad. “We are fortunate to have access to so many opportunities in this area, and we hope to build on the momentum going forward.”

Live Well Willoughby takes place at Wes Point Park at Euclid Avenue and River Street in downtown Willoughby. There are still spots open for vendors and sponsors of the event. For more information, email livewellwilloughby@gmail.comor visit LiveWellWilloughby.com.