Joanne McCullough is the brainchild behind EXHilarating Health, an office wellness program. She designed and implemented the program for her current employer, EXH Engineering.

She’s worked for the engineering firm since she was in her teens. She was approached to create a workplace wellness program that would eventually cross over all the Alberta EXH offices. Now, McCullough’s responsibilities with the company are split between managing the office and her health project.

“It’s not what I expected,” she marvels. “The doors are opening for me, but I didn’t come here with the intention (of starting EXHilarating Health).”

The 24-year-old is well trained to run the innovative fitness program. With a degree in kinesiology and certification as a fitness consultant, McCullough has an arsenal of knowledge and literature to help her along the way.

She currently writes a health column for the company newsletter and plans a health awareness event every second week. These include donating blood, bocce ball tournaments, wally-ball tournaments (an altered version of volleyball), and healthy choices barbecues.

Inspired by Canada’s Healthy U program, McCullough developed a walking competition at EXH. She issued pedometers, paid for by EXH, to all the employees and asked them to log their weekly number of steps. Prizes are awarded to those who go the greatest distance as incentive to keep walking. She also prepares personal fitness plans for anyone interested in joining a gym, pointing out that it’s gratifying when someone comes to her for help.

“They keep me motivated with their interest.”

The volunteer Big Sister also has a side career coaching power skating. Her passion for teaching skating skills keeps her working evenings, weekends, and during the odd week in Red Deer training future professional athletes. In fact, she aspires to grow her own power skating coaching company and to teach professional hockey players in Europe.

“You’re your own boss, but it’s scary to be your own boss,” McCullough admits. “You don’t have that netting… that job security. It’s very exciting though. It’s a mental thing, once you decide to do it, you’re beyond turning back.”