By SUZANNE MCINTOSH

I had a recent opportunity to interview new President Mike Mahon about his vision for wellness here at the University of Lethbridge. Mike inspired me with his personal and organizational vision that includes creating an environment and culture to support individuals' own wellness needs, whether those needs are physical, psychological and/or spiritual.

Mike supports enabling individuals to create balance in their lives based on their own definition of wellness. He also feels we have a wealth of opportunities to create this balance both here on campus and in our community.

If you want to know more, you can see this exclusive interview at the Life Balance Fair, Wednesday, Oct. 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the track of the 1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness.

October is Healthy Workplace Month in Canada and it's a great time to start thinking about what wellness at work means to you, how you can assess your own wellness needs and what you can do about them.

Healthy Workplace Month

Get Fit at Work Stretch and Strengthen kickoff
We have already had two successful 'teaser' sessions in September. I urge you to take advantage of this program. Jeanine Baxter, the kinesiology student who designed the program, and myself are available to come to your department to spend 20 minutes with your staff to try it out.

U-Weekly Contests
Watch for your U-Weekly newsletter each Monday morning and check out contests where you could win an Eat, Shrink and Be Merry cookbook, an iPOD shuffle or a Wii game. To enter, simply answer wellness questions and attend the Life Balance Fair. (Here's a hint: look for 'Get Fit at Work – Did U Know' posters around campus)

Get Fit at Work
On Monday, Oct. 18, a Get Fit at Work demonstration will be held from 1 to 1:30 p.m. in PE152. This is a great opportunity to try out this workplace activity program.
As well, attend the Life Balance Fair and take part in Get Fit at Work sessions that run at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on the 1st Choice Savings Centre track.

Life Balance Fair
The annual wellness fair takes place Wednesday, Oct. 27 and includes more than 40 interactive displays, including 15 new to our fair this year. This is an opportunity to get your flu shot, test your blood pressure, try out a chair massage and get screened for oral cancer. There are also loads of prize draws.

The Off Balance Team Challenge offers more chance at prizes for your employees. Prove you are the most 'unbalanced' team on campus by bringing the most departmental employees to the Life Balance Fair and/or to try out the Get Fit at Work demo.

Wellness Café
Vascular risk screening is the subject of this Thursday, Oct. 14 event. U of L nursing students will be on hand to provide information about the vascular risk screening program for employees. A very valuable session, it begins at 10:30 a.m. in the Markin Hall Atrium.

Workplace Walks
Program – Walk Across Canada Challenge
This contest is a great way to promote physical activity on campus. The contest began in early October but you can register (universityoflethbridge.workplacewalks.ca/) at any time.

I hope to see you out for the many events celebrating Healthy Workplace Month. As usual, please send your comments, suggestions or feedback to suzanne.mcintosh@uleth.ca or wellness@uleth.ca.

Suzanne McIntosh is the co-ordinator of wellness programs at the University