SANTA CRUZ — The Healthy Way has reached a major milestone this year that is a measure of its own health: 40 years in business in Santa Cruz County and the pleasure of serving over 10,000 clients.
There have been some major challenges over the years, like the ’89 earthquake, the CZU fire, Covid, recessionary periods, increased competition, but the company has enjoyed steady growth and has never laid off any employees.
The Healthy Way currently employs seven Santa Cruz County residents at their original location: 3251 Mission Drive, near Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz.
The Healthy Way founder and president Cheri Bianchini was a hard-working, 28-year-old nurse when she decided to leave her head nurse position at Stanford Hospital to help people improve their health and lifestyle. She purchased The Diet Center of Santa Cruz County franchise and four years later re-launched the business as The Healthy Way.
“Realizing what we eat is ground zero for all health, we pioneered an approach that continues to be a cornerstone of our successful programs today,” said Bianchini. “We help people overcome their addiction to sugar and highly processed foods and teach them strategies for proper nutrition for long-term weight loss.”
When clients eat well to lose weight, they don’t feel deprived.
“I’ve never eaten so well!” exclaimed Ed Martinez, a Healthy Way graduate who has maintained a 30-pound weight loss.
Open most days 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., The Healthy Way’s caring staff, who have all been clients, are dedicated to providing extraordinary customer service and ongoing weight maintenance support.
According to Bianchini, “The shining glory at Healthy Way is our long-term staff, all of which have been working here more than 20 years! They really know their stuff and we are like a finely oiled machine, working together to create lasting health benefits.”
Local music icon Sherry Austin, who successfully lost 30 pounds with the help of The Healthy Way several years ago, continues to participate in the maintenance program to ensure her ongoing success.
Bianchini says long-term success rates are the reason for The Healthy Way’s longevity.
“What I am most proud of is that two years after completing The Healthy Way, 60% of clients are within five pounds of when they graduated,” she explained. “That’s unheard of in the industry. Local health professionals realize this and regularly refer us clients.”
The Healthy Way is also proud of their long-standing partnership with Hospice of Santa Cruz County. Dozens of fundraisers over the years have generated over $10,000 in donations to Hospice. Cheri Bianchini is an active volunteer for Hospice, leading Loss of Spouse groups for their Grief Support Program.
Anniversary Celebration Planned The Healthy Way is holding a 40th anniversary health fair extravaganza to thank its many clients and Santa Cruz County for 4 wonderful decades!
The event will feature a variety of free activities including lots of healthy food sampling and giveaways, cooking demonstrations, health consultations, special pricing on programs, lots of free raffle prizes, health related vendors, and class presentations by internationally known icons of health, Dr. Christopher Hobbs and Rainya Dann.
Music will be provided by KPIG radio who will broadcast live from The Healthy Way parking lot.
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The celebration will take place Saturday, June 27, noon – 3 p.m. at 3251 Mission Drive, Santa Cruz, near Dominican Hospital. For more information about The Healthy Way and the celebration schedule visit www.thehealthyway.us.