WeightWatchers Elevates Wellness Focus by Incorporating SoulCycle Co-Founder Julie Rice and Acquiring Peoplehood
WeightWatchers has appointed Julie Rice, co-founder of SoulCycle, as its inaugural Chief Experience Officer, simultaneously acquiring her innovative platform, Peoplehood. This strategic move signals the weight management company’s intent to enhance its community-oriented and holistic health initiatives.
Peoplehood, co-created by Rice, is often likened to a “relational fitness” enterprise, functioning akin to a contemporary support network. It emphasizes peer-to-peer connection and coaching, catering to the evolving landscape of wellness.
The incorporation of Peoplehood’s curriculum, technology, and operational insights is poised to enrich WeightWatchers’ ecosystem. This integration aims to bolster community-focused programs addressing GLP-1 usage and menopause, thereby enhancing member engagement across coaching, workshops, and digital interactions.
This initiative complements WeightWatchers’ post-bankruptcy revitalization, which encompasses its relisting on Nasdaq and a renewed emphasis on midlife women’s health. The company is intensifying its focus on GLP-1-driven obesity care and has recently fortified its medical leadership, establishing affiliations with a pharmaceutical titan.
Novo Nordisk to facilitate access to FDA-approved GLP-1 therapies such as Wegovy. Announcements concerning a comprehensive menopause program that integrates clinical support, coaching, and community resources further underline this strategic shift.
“Community has always been intrinsic to WeightWatchers,” remarked CEO Tara Comonte. It is the foundation of our brand and a critical factor for sustainable success. As the landscape of weight management grows increasingly complex, especially with new medications, many individuals find themselves on this journey in solitude.
Hence, connection, support, and shared experiences are paramount. Julie brings invaluable expertise in community-building and brand enhancement, positioning her to significantly influence our approach to experience and community integration across the organization.
Rice, a longstanding member of the WeightWatchers board, will spearhead the company’s global workshop division, which conducts 20,000 in-person meetings monthly across 11 regions. She will oversee the brand team and collaborate with leaders in product development, marketing, and clinical operations to refine how content, coaching, and community engagement manifest within the platform.
“This is a full-circle moment for me,” expressed Rice. “I first joined WeightWatchers in my twenties, and the program significantly influenced my ability to adopt healthier habits sustainably. I am now privileged to help redefine what weight management can encompass in an age dominated by isolating apps and generic solutions. Together, we have the chance to elevate the WeightWatchers experience, anchored in scientific rigor, medical expertise, and, most importantly, authentic human connection.”
In a 2023 discussion with Athletech News, Rice hinted at the potential synergy between Peoplehood and established platforms like WeightWatchers.
“Our aim is to cultivate a sector rooted in relational fitness, promoting intentional time for self-care and nurturing interpersonal relationships,” she stated. “We envision Peoplehood as an essential complement to an individual’s wellness regimen, facilitating profound connections and opportunities for skill development.”
Source link: Athletechnews.com.
