Libby Bakken spent 30 years in the pharmaceutical industry selling medications to physicians and healthcare providers so they could treat their patients’ lifestyle diseases. Now she works with patients, instead, hoping to help them avoid disease, the hospital, and medications.

“When I retired from the pharmaceutical industry, I wanted to do something where I could empower people to change or modify their long term healthcare outcomes with holistic fitness and nutrition before necessarily having to take medications that can have side effects,” Libby says.

At 56, Libby is an active, healthy woman but has seen family members struggle with chronic disease, including her father.

“Hearing physicians and providers frustrated that people don’t change their lifestyles, I decided my mission is to help people the best I can,” Libby explains.

Libby became a certified personal trainer with a senior fitness specialization. She’s a certified health coach and has a “Nutrition and Healthy Living” certification through eCornell University.

Libby is a recently certified instructor for FLEX SilverSneakers, a program that gets adults physically active and gives them more control of their health. She’s the first FLEX trainer in western North Dakota.

“I take the SilverSneakers classes out of the traditional gym setting and to the community. Edgewood Village and other senior living facilities are working it right into the communities. We want it where it’s most convenient for people — taking the fitness out of the traditional gym and putting them in more relaxed environments,” Libby says.

Libby also has her own coaching business, AgeWell Personalized Fitness & Health Coaching. She recently partnered with YouVitalize Fitness and Wellness Spa in Bismarck to provide lifestyle healthy support to clients there.

“The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that 80 percent of heart disease, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes could be prevented through diet and lifestyle changes,” Libby shares. “I don’t diagnose or treat chronic diseases, but I offer people support with nutrition and fitness changes based on what their doctors have said they have struggles with, and there’s a lot we can do to change our health outcomes!”

Online and on Facebook: AgeWell Personalized Fitness & Health Coaching