Awareness of holistic wellness advantages of healthy eating and activity provides intrinsic motivation maintaining physical health. However, as COVID-19 related concerns and regulations continue to affect fitness and dietary habits, the result is increased calorie consumption and weight gain – which are exacerbated as many people move into the colder seasons of fall and winter.  Additionally, there has always been a strong correlation between how one copes with fear, anxiety, stress, boredom, and isolation and the formation of unhealthy habits with negative effects on diet, physical health, and mental well-being.

EDGE’s wellness program provides students with individual and group wellness activities, including nutrition and fitness education, skill-building, and direct 1:1 assistance. Throughout the week, young adults at EDGE attend individual and community fitness workouts with demonstration and support. Along with group fitness, there are two community meals a week. EDGE residents develop healthy recipes, shop for those recipes while acquiring grocery-shopping skills, and prepare the recipe through a process called “Experiential Nutrition,” an interactive cooking experience. Students also participate in individual wellness assessments, fitness sessions, and nutrition coaching.

EDGE’s Nutrition and Fitness Coach, Conor Klump, attended Illinois State University in Bloomington, IL. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition with a focus on health and wellness coaching. Conor’s experience includes coaching young adults, both in and out of college with their wellness goals, along with actively pursuing personal training. “I understand the period after high school can be a difficult transition. It’s a time where students begin to make more decisions for themselves, which is why it’s the best time for them to learn healthy habits” according to Klump. “My focus is to inspire our young adults to adopt healthy behaviors.”

Conor works with students to optimize their personal wellness, and to help them become comfortable with, and knowledgeable enough to present on a variety of fitness and nutrition topics. According to Klump, “One recent student presented on the topic of ‘Intuitive eating’ – a philosophy of eating that makes you the expert of your body and its hunger signals. It was amazing to witness this particular student be able to share how she implemented healthy nutrition habits with the rest of the community.”

EDGE Learning and Wellness Collegiate Community is an accredited transitional living program located in Chicago, IL. EDGE offers therapeutically supported residential and non-residential options for post-treatment young adults. The participants, ages 18 -24, are striving to excel academically while creating a life of balance, joy, and wellness.