About
People often ask me why I'm a play coach.
On the night of my bachelorette party, at 24 years old, I found myself in an emergency room with a severe case of ovarian torsion.
If my friends hadn’t driven me to the hospital when they did, I wouldn’t have lived to get married.
That experience made me determined to live my life to the fullest. In pursuit of a good life, I discovered that healthy habits could make my life better, and more fun!!
As a trainer and a health coach, I amassed tons of certifications and credentials, but no matter how many skills or knowledge I gained, something seemed “off.”
Everywhere I looked, people seemed to think of fitness as a chore. So many people avoided exercise because they hated going to the gym. And many of the people in the gym were grinding themselves down, looking miserable and exhausted.
I realized that something was missing. That “something” was play.
Play is the missing piece of the puzzle.
Human beings are born to play. We can integrate health and fitness seamlessly into our lives with a playful approach.
Yet, it’s absent from so many diet and fitness books, challenges, resolutions, and programs.
So, with 20 years in health and fitness coaching under my belt, I went all-in on the idea of play. I researched the heck out of it, wrote a book on it, and developed a coaching method designed around it.
Using my PLAY method, I help people with their movement, nutrition, sleep, and stress. My clients are busy, successful professionals ready to regain their health.
They’re strapped for time, have too much stress, do not get enough sleep, and are used to prioritizing other people’s needs.
With my support, they practice movement/exercise, good nutrition, better sleep, and stress reduction — all in a practical, playful way.
As a result, they improve their health markers, lose weight, move easier, and feel better. Best of all, they pursue what they want most, whether running around with their grandkids, chasing their bucket-list goals, or simply enjoying their daily lives.
When you’re healthy and playful, life is better. Are you ready to start playing again?
👉If you're an individual looking for coaching support, book a free discovery call: https://calendly.com/janetomstead
👉If you're a manager or executive looking to support your staff with a health and wellness program, reach out to learn about RED January: [email protected]
👉If you're a conference organizer looking to motivate your organization, book a RED Movement Break at your next event here - https://join.redjanuary.com/movement-breaks
Articles by Janet
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The importance of social connection and play in a pandemic
The importance of social connection and play in a pandemic
By Janet Omstead
Contributions
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How often and how long should you do functional training at home for optimal results?
Taking action consistently is key and probably the biggest thing that gets overlooked when changing any healthy habit whether it’s exercise (functional training) nutrition, sleep or managing stress. Measure your progress by writing down which functional movements you are doing and how often so you can keep track. When you think of your own reality, ability, and current lifestyle, what small action could you take right now to move closer to your own goals?
Activity
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Friends and colleagues, I am announcing I will be leaving my executive position at Believeco:Partners effective Tuesday, August 27, 2024. In many…
Friends and colleagues, I am announcing I will be leaving my executive position at Believeco:Partners effective Tuesday, August 27, 2024. In many…
Liked by Janet Omstead
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At the end of each day, ask yourself, “Did I do something to take care of myself first? Why is that? When you prioritize your well-being, you’re…
At the end of each day, ask yourself, “Did I do something to take care of myself first? Why is that? When you prioritize your well-being, you’re…
Shared by Janet Omstead
Experience
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Education
Licenses & Certifications
Volunteer Experience
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Volunteer, St. Joe's Plate Committee
St. Joe's Plate
- Present 7 years
Health
St. Joe's Plate is an annual event to raise money for youth mental health programs at St. Joseph's Health Centre. Supporting the best possible mental health care for youth with mental illness is critical–especially now when more and more are suffering from these challenging years through the global pandemic.
The St. Joe's Plate started as a way to honour the beautiful life of Lauren Whelan, a St. Joe's baby, who took her own life at the age of 19. The St. Joe's Plate Committee works…St. Joe's Plate is an annual event to raise money for youth mental health programs at St. Joseph's Health Centre. Supporting the best possible mental health care for youth with mental illness is critical–especially now when more and more are suffering from these challenging years through the global pandemic.
The St. Joe's Plate started as a way to honour the beautiful life of Lauren Whelan, a St. Joe's baby, who took her own life at the age of 19. The St. Joe's Plate Committee works year-round to raise critical funds supporting youth mental health initiatives. With the support of generous sponsors, attendees and donors, the committee has raised over $2.6 million to improve care for people with mental illness. -
Advisory Executive and #150 Women
Canadian Athletes Now Fund
- 2 years 1 month
http://canadianathletesnow.ca/national-advisory-committee/janet-omstead/
As part of the Advisory Executive and #150 Women I am committed to raising funds and awareness around CAN Fund programs to help our amazing Canadian athletes succeed on the world stage.
CAN Fund is a not for profit organization created to fill a funding gap and give our Canadian athletes (summer, winter, able-bodied and Paralympic) the financial support they need to train and compete for Canada. Where CAN…http://canadianathletesnow.ca/national-advisory-committee/janet-omstead/
As part of the Advisory Executive and #150 Women I am committed to raising funds and awareness around CAN Fund programs to help our amazing Canadian athletes succeed on the world stage.
CAN Fund is a not for profit organization created to fill a funding gap and give our Canadian athletes (summer, winter, able-bodied and Paralympic) the financial support they need to train and compete for Canada. Where CAN Fund makes a significant impact is in the years leading up to the Games, the years when no one is watching or cheering, or even aware of our athletes and their journey to be the best in the world.
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Program Advisory Committee
YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka
- 5 years 1 month
Health
YMCA Geneva Park is a Leadership Centre, located on a 150-acre peninsula on the east shore of Lake Couchiching, with an over 100-year tradition of building healthy communities and inspiring character development. The Park operates 364 days of the year and provides services to agencies, associations and family vacations.
Publications
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The Play Book - ReRelease on Audible
Self
See publicationThe release edition of the playbook on audio includes a new introduction that summarizes the effect of the pandemic on inactivity, as well as a new ending to include actionable steps you can implement right away.
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The Play Book: How To Get In The Habit Of Good Health
Janet Omstead
See publicationAfter almost two decades of encouraging her clients to embrace exercise as play, health coach Janet Omstead has written a practical, back-to-basics guide that will inspire you to:
* Move your body in a way that makes sense to you
* Gain more energy, joy and fun
* Improve your quality of life as you age, become more functional and take control of your health
Along with motivating interviews with the best experts in the fields of health and behaviour, Janet provides…After almost two decades of encouraging her clients to embrace exercise as play, health coach Janet Omstead has written a practical, back-to-basics guide that will inspire you to:
* Move your body in a way that makes sense to you
* Gain more energy, joy and fun
* Improve your quality of life as you age, become more functional and take control of your health
Along with motivating interviews with the best experts in the fields of health and behaviour, Janet provides easy-to-follow techniques and personal assessments to help you discover what type of play makes you happy and truly feel alive.
It's NEVER too late to start playing again.
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