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Team Magellan Teammates Strive to Reach One Million Steps in 100 Days

Starting in July of this year, the national DMG group Team whereas our VPs may be having a mid-life crisis and need to
Magellan started a 100-Day FitBit Challenge. The goal is to exercise more regularly to stay fit,” Cross joked.
reach 1,000,000 steps in 100 days, by meeting the FitBit
standard goal of 10,000 steps a day. California team member Mike Olson, Senior Director, Busi-
ness & IPA Development, has changed his exercise habits
The Challenge involves more than 30 Magellan teammates from moderate to extraordinary. Some weeks, he has
participating from across various markets—including Califor- reached an astounding 40,000 steps in a day, plus he has en-
nia, Colorado (Den- couraged his wife Katherine to
ver and Colorado walk much more than before.
Springs), Maryland, He typically starts walking at
Oregon, Washing- 4:30 a.m., plus he takes the
ton, Arizona, Florida, Metro train to work as often as
Nevada, and New possible in order to walk as
Mexico. Teammates many extra steps as possible
monitor their to reach Casa PacifiCA. Being
progress on the in better shape has extra
Community Leader- meaning for him. After total
board (through the hip replacement surgery in
FitBit webite) and re- 2012, he used to have pain
ceive an email up- walking. Prior to the 100-Day
date each week Challenge, he was at 5,000 to
highlighting notable Mike Olson, walking an aver- 6,000 steps a day. Since Au-
performances. age of 40,000 steps a day and gust 1, he has lost 23 pounds,
looking to reach his goal of los-
ing 40 pounds by his 40th wed- due in part to changing his
Jason Cross, Vice ding anniversary in February. diet as well—no soft drinks,
President of Business Jason Cross and his 7-year-old daughter no sweets, and only a limited amount of bread.
Alaia, getting some exercise together.
Development, DMG,
in Rockville, Md., heard of another company that did a simi- “My goal is to lose 40 by 40,” he explained—the second 40
lar 100-Day Challenge. “We did this as a way for teammates being his 40th wedding anniversary this coming February. His
to get healthier,” he said. “It’s getting competitive, because inspiration for better health is to be around for his wife, chil-
you get to see everyone’s steps on the website and that is a dren, and grandchildren. “The Challenge is good cama-
motivator.” raderie; it’s been fun,” Olson said.

For Cross, and others on the team, the challenge has im- To keep things fun, Cross gives the Couch Potato award each
proved efforts toward physical fitness and better overall week to the last person on the Leaderboard list, which pro-
health. “I’ve changed my habits,” Cross said, explaining that vides extra motivation. The 100-Day Challenge is set to end
he routinely used to get 3,000 steps per day by if only going November 6, just before Team Magellan has an on-site team
to the office and back. “This realization has gotten me going; meeting at Casa PacifiCA. So far, about a dozen teammates
I definitely get out and run more now. Reaching 10,000 steps are on target to hit the million-step goal. There will likely be
a day is a goal everyone can hit if they focus on it.” an award or some type of recognition at the November
meeting for those who reach the goal.
Cross also noted that the competition members run the
gamut of all types of positions within the organization—vice The team may plan a similar type of competition in the fu-
presidents, directors, analysts, executive assistants. He noted ture. “I have had people asking me if they can join late,”
that the vice presidents are currently leading the race. “The Cross said. “It really energizes people to get moving.”
younger teammates tended to post lower step totals,