Wayne Coolidge Jr., M.Ed.
Wellness Strategist - Speaker - Corporate Trainer - Consultant
What Makes Wayne Different
Wayne is a trend-setting thought leader in health promotion and chronic disease prevention. As a wellness strategist, he thrives on breakthrough ideas and has a sharp instinct for what’s coming next. He consistently stays ahead of the curve, helping audiences and clients understand not just today’s science, but the future direction of wellness.
He brings a rare combination of cutting-edge science, real-world experience, and engaging delivery to every program and event. His style is both relatable and on point, blending “down home” authenticity with bold, forward-thinking insight. Known for challenging outdated norms, he pushes people to think proactively about their health. Known (affectionately, he hopes) as the “No BS Health Guy,” he is unapologetic in calling out misinformation, exposing industry deception, and delivering clear, evidence-based guidance.
Wayne doesn’t just motivate, he equips audiences and program attendees with practical strategies they can apply immediately. His forward-thinking approach inspires organizations and individuals to take decisive action toward smarter, more effective health outcomes.
Wayne's Curriculum VitaeWayne was hired by the Merchants' Bank to create the first statewide corporate wellness program in Vermont. His program was an outstanding success due primarily to his knowledge, dedication, and personality... I can't believe it's been 43 years, and it's more unbelievable that he is still doing it!
~ Beth Comolli, Former Human Resource Director, Merchants' Bank, Burlington, Vermont
Corporate Wellness
Speeches - Presentations - Workshops - Consulting
In 1985, at age 25, Wayne was hired by the Merchants' Bank, whose employee wellness program consisted of each employee getting two pieces of fruit per week. His task was to construct and manage the first comprehensive corporate wellness and state-wide health and fitness program in the State of Vermont. After completing his mission and earning high praise for his work, Wayne left that job to earn a Master's Degree in Health Promotion (Corporate Track).
Wayne's experience in the corporate world and in state government, including his role as the start-up Director for the Vermont State Employee Wellness Program, taught him that wellness initiatives require a path that demonstrates a return on investment. Wayne possesses both the academic preparation and experience to assist management in navigating the narrow path between "feel-good" endeavors and interventions designed to oblige the fiscal responsibility that business and industry demand.
Nowadays, Wayne is a seasoned 65-year-old thought leader in corporate wellness. You may be interested in having him share what he has learned along the way with your people.
Go To Corporate Wellness Page
Conferences and Summits
Speeches - Presentations - Pre-Conference Workshops - Panels
Wayne's 43-year career began as an undergraduate in the pathology lab at the University of Vermont's College of Medicine. His job required frequent trips to the morgue to harvest tissues for cell cultures. One day, there were three "customers" in the morgue, two men and a woman, all three were under 55 and died of chronic diseases. Wayne's career path changed that day from medicine to health promotion.
In an exciting and perhaps ironic career twist, Wayne's scientific abstract, "Closing the Wellness Gap: Overcoming Overweight and Obesity Challenges Through Health Equity Advances," was accepted for presentation at the University of Vermont College of Medicine Health Equity Summit for the fall of 2026. He will be lecturing a two-minute walk from where his career path abruptly changed 43 years prior.
Go To Conferences and Summits Page
Personal Health/Fitness Services
Health/Fitness Consulting - Coaching - Online Courses
Wayne was a Health Coach before health coaching was cool. In 1991, he was among the first to be certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine as a fitness trainer. He was certified by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing as a Certified Health Education Specialist that same year. He was one of two people to hold both certifications simultaneously at that time. Wayne became a Master Health Coach in 1991 and has accumulated more than 38,000 hours of health and fitness testing and consultation, as well as fitness training during his career.
Wayne founded and co-owns Wayne Coolidge Health Promotion (WCHP) with Kim Twitty Rodes. We offer clients a full complement of personal health/fitness consultation services, online courses, and coaching opportunities. Our clients lose fat, gain muscle, improve fitness, optimize metabolic health, prevent disease, and position themselves to create a wellness-infused, empowered life.
Go To Wellness Services Page
There is not much Wayne hasn't seen or done in the world of corporate, community, or personal health and fitness. Consider allowing him to share his expertise with you, your audiences, or your groups.
~ Rene McClendon Hodges, Client since 1993
Signature Speeches, Presentations, and Workshops
Wayne’s signature speeches and presentations:
What Can an Oyster Tell Us About Thriving at Life? (Keynote, Speech)
Gettin’ Old Ain’t for Sissies: Healthy Aging Wisdom for All Ages (Keynote, Speech, Presentation, Workshop)
Stone Agers in the Fast Lane: Using Ancestral Health Principles to Thrive in Business and Life (Keynote, Speech, Presentation, Workshop)
Control Cellular Aging to Promote Health, Wellness, and Productive Longevity (Speech, Presentation, Workshop)
Release Your Inner Shield Maiden (Women’s Health, Fitness, and Empowerment Presentation, Workshop with Kim Twitty Rodes)
The Big Lie: Turning Weight Loss Industry Failure into Fat Loss Success (Speech, Presentation)
Blueprint to Burn: Your Pathway to Safe, Effective, and Sustainable Fat Loss (Speech, Presentation, Workshop)
Food, Activity, Recovery: The Go FAR Rx for Ultimate Wellness and Productive Longevity (Speech, Presentation, Workshop)
From Breakroom to Boardroom: Nutrition That Drives Performance (Presentation, Workshop)
The Fat-Muscle Connection and Its Role in Health and Longevity (Presentation, Workshop)
Closing the Wellness Gap: Overcoming Overweight and Obesity Challenges Through Health Equity Advances (Public Health, Medical, Lecture, Presentation)
The Following Presentations are also offered as WCHP trainings and workshops with Wayne Coolidge and Kim Twitty Rodes
Stone Agers in the Fast Lane: Using Health Principles to Thrive in Business and Life
Control Cellular Aging to Promote Health, Wellness, and Productive Longevity
Release Your Inner Shieldmaiden: Women's Health, Fitness, and Empowerment
From Breakroom to Boardroom: Nutrition That Drives Performance
The Fat-Muscle Connection and Its Role in Health and Longevity
Blueprint to Burn: Your Pathway to Safe, Effective, and Sustainable Fat Loss
Food, Activity, Recovery: The Go FAR Rx for Ultimate Wellness and Productive Longevity
Speech, presentation, and workshop formats can be re-tooled or custom-designed to meet the health/wellness needs of your employees or organization. To inquire further about Wayne and Kim performing at your event or place of business, visit Wayne's Speaker page below.
