Lauren Updyke, Author at The Whole U

Lauren Updyke, MS ACSM HFI Executive Director for Employee Experience and UWHR Chief Wellness Officer

Hi everyone, I’m Lauren, the Executive Director for Employee Experience and UWHR Chief Wellness Officer. My role is to lead our Employee Experience team encompassing The Whole U, UW Combined Fund Drive and WorkLife programs.

I have spent over 20 years of my career in Health and Wellness. I came to the USA from Canada on a track and field scholarship to University of Louisiana. I have my Masters in Exercise Physiology, am a Certified Personal trainer through the American College of Sports Medicine, and have coached over 10,000 individuals online from all over the world. I worked with the wellness program at Duke University and Hospital for 13 years as fitness and health education manager.

This is my tenth year at UW and I love being a Husky. When I’m not at work, I am either training for a marathon, doing lots of strength training, traveling with my family, or racing from one kid activity to the next.

Discounts! Our UW Pot of Gold

We feel lucky this St. Patrick’s Day because we’ve grown to 137 discounts! Every month we’re working to get more and more discounts from local vendors and businesses that the UW family can enjoy. Whether it’s your favorite gift store, yoga studio, restaurant, or something else, we will try to get a discount. To learn [...]

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Hunting for a Masterpeep

We are having a Peep contest to celebrate spring and the Whole U Scavenger Hunt on April 11 and 12! It’s time to get creative and have a little fun sharing our favorite UW locations or scenes with the famous Peeps. Peeps on Parade in Padelford? Peep chicks going for a swim in Drumheller Fountain? [...]

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Why it’s time to become a Yogi or Yogini

It wasn’t a surprise to learn that yoga was one of the top interests within the UW community. I have done yoga before (when injured from running or other sports), but for some reason my inflexible running body was never able to relax, breathe through my nose, and get through 45 minutes of this type [...]

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What Everyone Ought to Know About Nature & Stress

For some reason, with anything I commit to in my life, there has to be a challenge, a prize, or a goal. My goal for my new hobby is to keep everything alive. I am one of those people who is high strung and thrives on stress. I have learned that it is okay to [...]

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Go the Distance – You Will Feel Like a Million Bucks!

“Success isn’t how far you got, but the distance you traveled from where you started.” – Steve “Pre” Prefontaine Many choose to train for half or full marathons to lose weight, get back in shape, or raise money for their favorite charity. Others love the distance, are hooked to the training, and make these races [...]

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Husky Stadium Tours: An Experience with a View!

I couldn’t believe my eyes walking out onto the field during my tour. First built in 1920, with a capacity of 30,000, its been renovated to seat over 70,000 fans. Everything is so new and bright. I could feel the energy for athletics. Looking out from the seats I could see Lake Washington, the cascading [...]

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From Farm to Fork – The benefits and opportunities for UW faculty and staff

Every summer I worked on my girlfriend’s family farm in Canada. We picked peas, beans, strawberries, tomatoes, corn, and more. After we picked, we brought our produce into the city’s Farmers Market and sold it to thousands of locals and tourists. It was my favorite time of the year: my family got fresh produce daily, [...]

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See UW Faculty & Staff Make History!

With over 40,000 faculty and staff spread across campuses with varying work schedules, we know that not everyone can attend the World’s Largest Kettlebell Workout happening today. But don’t worry! You can participate virtually by watching a LIVE webcast of the event: http://www.uwtv.org/WholeU/ Tune in by noon to see President Young speak and then watch [...]

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Try Tai Chi for FREE Next Week!

Have you ever wanted to try Tai Chi? I have, and I plan on trying it this year. My mom swears by this activity and I have witnessed a huge difference in her balance. In fact, it saved her knees. At 66 years old she has never been in the awesome shape that she is [...]

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UW is Ready to Kettlebell and Make History!

The University of Washington is about to make history! We decided to launch The Whole U with an event that would bring us together as a community and inspire the UW to get active. There are over 1,400 faculty and staff registered to break the Guinness World Record tomorrow with the Largest Kettlebell Workout in [...]

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One Week Away from Kettlebell History

Registration closes at midnight to join us as we attempt to break the Guinness Record for the world’s largest kettlebell workout. On the Seattle campus, we have room for spectators or you can join the waitlist as a kettlebeller. (Spots are opening up so please sign-up if this is an event you want to join!) [...]

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Prepping Your Pantry to Meet Your Goals

We’ve halfway through January already. If you made a New Year’s Resolution, it’s time to focus. If you are like me and have made eating healthy one of your 2014 goals, congratulations! It is totally possible with planning. Eek! Planning? Yes, planning. My goal this year to is plan better so that I am not [...]

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