2016

Do you know what your Vitality Age is? You may be older than you think

Do you know what your Vitality Age is? You may be older than you think
Last week I posed a question. "What would you do if you were rewarded to live a healthy life?"

The answers were as varied as the demographics that replied, but no matter the age, gender, or current state of health, one commonality existed. People are excited by the idea of being rewarded for making healthier lifestyle choices.

On September 27th, my family and I, along with anyone who happened to be downtown Toronto, had the opportunity to witness the unveiling of the Manulife Vitality program.


What is Vitality and What Does it Mean to Me?


'Vitality' is the state of being strong and active; it's energy. It's a fitting name for the new program being rolled-out by Manulife and it is changing the entire notion of life insurance. With advancements in technology, people are taking an active role in their health and Manulife is the first to leverage these innovations in Canada by rewarding Canadians for living a healthy life.

Customers who choose this innovative, new kind of insurance will have industry-leading financial protection, opportunities to save on their insurance premiums, as well earn valuable rewards and discounts for taking steps to improve their health.

We asked Stephanie to share with us in 30 seconds or less, what the Vitality program is all about. She sums it up nicely...

https://youtu.be/sxIPEbsZY-0

I don't know about you, but I've never thought a life insurance company would reward me for healthy living. But with providers like Garmin and GoodLife Canada enlisting in the Vitality program, it's got me pretty excited and I can imagine there'll be a lot more rewards providers enlisting in this new #HealthyRewards based program.

https://twitter.com/daimanuel/status/780758185657393152

How would you respond if you were asked, "What do you life for?"


It's one thing to be told we will be rewarded for living a healthy life, but after witnessing a team in green flood Yonge-Dundas Square on the 27th, I know how seriously this program concept is being taken. The Vitality unveiling made a statement for all Canadians on the 27th to witness, and at the center, one question was asked, " What do you live for?"

https://twitter.com/MarianneMFC/status/780728625406631936

The unveil revealed the world's largest punching bag keyboard (and in fact there's only 2 of them in existence, the other in a museum in Istanbul). Manulife enlisted the help of Micheal "Pinball" Clemons. I couldn't imagine a better fit than Coach 'Pinball', he epitomizes what it is to live a healthy life.

https://twitter.com/Mom_OnTheRun/status/780790474886017025

As people were invited into the ring, Coach Pinball would ask "What do you live for?" and then, with boxing gloves strapped on, we'd be asked to punch our answer into the keyboard while being televised life on the jumbo-tron hanging above Yonge-Dundas Square. A pretty epic opportunity that got us all thinking about our lives and what drives us to do what we do. I have to share a very proud Papa moment when my daughter was asked the question, she handled herself beautifully with confidence and grace... and a mean right hook! (video below)

https://youtu.be/7UY5-n1gkkk

I watched for most of the morning as people lined up to meet Coach and be asked to punch-out their answers. Words like 'love', 'adventure' 'my wife', 'family', 'health', 'happiness' echoed across the square. Not a person left that ring without a hop in their step and a smile on their face. And as an added reward, for a few lucky people a brand new Garmin fitness tracker too.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BK4YLzPhbsw/

 

Not only was the ring and boxing keyboard a great idea, it was an real life example that making fitness fun and interactive can engage a wide array of people to move their bodies with purpose. There's no doubt in my mind, and there's evidence to support it too, that participation in a program like this—that recognizes and incentivizes people for positive behaviors—not only correlates to positive behavior changes, but also to more active and engaged customers.

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Are you older or younger than you think? What's your Vitality Age?


One of the most interesting aspects of the Vitality program is the Vitality Age calculator. It takes only a minute or two to complete and you'll be provided with a Vitality Age. And depending on your lifestyle habits, your age may be higher than you actually are, indicative of daily choices that aren't serving your long-term health goals. Or on the flip-side, if you are eating well, moving your body with purpose and leading a healthy life, you'll more than likely see a Vitality Age lower than your actual age.

Give it a try at VitalityAge.ca to find out your Vitality Age.

https://twitter.com/daimanuel/status/780778032608927746

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The Media, a DJ, a TRX workout, a bike tune-up and a sweet treat or two (or 3)


I can only imagine what the downtown passer-by thought as they walked past all the excitement happening at Yonge-Dundas Square. A giant green boxing ring, bike tune-up stand, DJ spinning mad beats, live TV and radio broadcasting... and that was just the first 20 feet!

To help paint a picture, here's a social media round-up showcasing much of the event's highlights.

https://twitter.com/BTtoronto/status/780814568184483840
https://twitter.com/daimanuel/status/780754007358902272
https://twitter.com/Manulife/status/780797633778552836
https://twitter.com/kick4kix/status/780795986490843136
https://twitter.com/Manulife/status/780780052250099712
https://twitter.com/obeverett/status/780766768088449024
https://twitter.com/SashaExeter/status/780840064674828288
https://twitter.com/Liza_Poulos/status/780736543304642560

So I ask again, "What would you do if you were rewarded to live a healthy life?"


Knowing there's a new and innovative way to deal with one's life insurance, I believe many of us will feel more confident in our daily lifestyle choices. There's both power and accountability in being able to track our daily choices back to a direct cost savings. And what's really got me excited is that we may realize an immediate savings today, a super cool reward perk from a company like Garmin or GoodLife Fitness, but the quality of life we're investing in 10, 20 or 40 years down the road... how do you put a price on that?

If you are interested in learning more about the Vitality program, they've put together an informative resource at  http://www.manulifevitality.ca/

Remember, sometimes our daily choices may seem insignificant and lacking impact on our current lifestyle, but compound out those tiny, little actionable choices over a period of weeks, months, and years... you'll be amazed at how far you will have journeyed, knowing that it all started with you deciding to lead a healthy life.

https://twitter.com/daimanuel/status/780811193372008448

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Dai Manuel - The Moose Is Loose This post is sponsored by Manulife. The opinions and views are wholly my own...

And to be absolutely clear, this is my disclaimer: “Just so you know, I have been compensated to share my ideas on this topic. Sometimes it is in the form of products, or services or even money… But here’s the thing; I won’t  share anything with you that I don’t fully support. It doesn't matter what it is, or how much they are willing to give me, if I don’t believe in it, It won’t be on my site. Seriously. You’ll just have to trust me on this.”   ~ Coach Moose

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