In the evolving world of wellness and employee benefits, Motion Connected has carved out a unique niche thanks to the leadership of our CEO, Michael Troup. For fifteen years, Michael has been the driving force behind the company, transforming it into a leader in promoting healthier lifestyles and smarter benefits consumerism for employees.
Michael’s own personal health & wellness journey began in 2008. At the time, he participated in various sports activities casually but then discovered the profound impact of step tracking and physical activity after using the Nike pod. His new activity regimen had a significant health impact – improving his sleep, mood, and weight.
Motivated by these changes, Michael became an avid runner over time, completing over 20 marathons and a 50-mile run. Working in the insurance industry at the time, he recognized the potential benefits of physical activity on a larger scale.
With a clear vision of harnessing the power of physical activity to improve the health of entire populations, Michael made the decision to launch Motion Connected (formerly myInertia).
Motion Connected Background
What began with simple activity tracking and step challenges has evolved into a comprehensive platform offering robust wellbeing initiatives, rewards, discounted devices, benefits navigation, healthcare literacy, and wellbeing education.
Since then, Motion Connected has grown significantly, helping countless employees lead healthier lives, understand their benefits, and become smarter consumers of healthcare across the globe.
As we celebrate 15 years of delivering innovative wellness solutions to employers, we took the time to sit down with Michael and hear his thoughts on what this journey has meant to him.
The Interview
Inspiration and Vision Evolution
Question:
What inspired you to start Motion Connected, and how has that original vision evolved over time?
Answer:
“After working in health insurance for a decade, I saw that promoting health and wellbeing could impact healthcare costs. Personally, tracking my activity with a device motivated me, sparking the idea to help companies inspire their employees.
We started with basic wellness programs and grew to incorporate advanced activity tracking devices, partnering with brands like Fitbit and Garmin. Our technology has evolved to now help companies promote their benefits, create better healthcare consumers, communicate effectively with employees, and promote mental wellbeing.”
Inspiration and Vision Evolution
Question:
In what ways do you think Motion Connected has made a positive impact on its customers, employees, and community over the past fifteen years?
Answer:
“Our mission of building a healthier tomorrow has led to numerous success stories. Employers have reported improvements in their aggregate biometric reports, decreased medical expenses for active employees, and reduced turnover among program participants.
We’ve positively impacted the lifestyles and health of employees through our programs. In the community, we’ve donated significant amounts to nonprofits by fundraising through community step challenges and have also offered our platform for medical studies on activity.”
Question:
What are you most proud of?
Answer:
“There are many things I’m proud of, but my team truly stands out in how they take care of our clients, which has led to our high client retention. I’m also proud of our collaboration with a global leader in healthcare, the Cleveland Clinic. We’ve had the flexibility to adapt to their programs over the years and consistently deliver a positive experience.”
Industry Changes and Company Adaptation
Question:
How has the industry or market changed since Motion Connected was founded, and how has the company adapted to those changes?
Answer:
“In the last fifteen years, we have seen the wellness industry shift from outcome-based biometric data to focusing on physical activity and engagement programs. We’ve expanded beyond wellness to include benefits navigation, additional learning opportunities, and connecting employees to cost-saving programs. Many early competitors couldn’t sustain their debt-based structures and are no longer in the market, but we’ve maintained our edge by adapting to market needs and staying true to our mission.”
Question:
What advice do you have for other leaders and employers?
Answer:
“My biggest advice is to be agile. Almost everything about the employer market has changed significantly over the last 15 years: a new generation of workers, COVID shutdowns, remote working, higher costs, decreased mental wellbeing—you name it. We wouldn’t be here if we weren’t agile enough to adapt to employer needs through all of that.”
Beyond the Office
Question:
What can you tell us about yourself when you’re not working?
Answer:
“I’m a technology enthusiast who enjoys staying active. My passion for health and wellness extends to my personal life, where I engage in various physical activities and keep up with the latest tech trends. My background in data and technology has been crucial in shaping Motion Connected’s innovative approach to wellness.”
Looking Ahead
Michael Troup’s leadership has positioned Motion Connected as a trailblazer in the wellness and employee engagement industries. His commitment to promoting healthier lifestyles and wellbeing continues to drive the company’s success and positive impact on its customers, employees, and the community.
