TW News - August 2, 2026
- Tawas Wellness
- Aug 2
- 4 min read
Let's go back in time...
It's late spring of 2020, and the world is slowly beginning to emerge from the pandemic.
I'd gained 20 pounds after a glorious winter of European travel—bread, wine, chocolate... all worth it at the time! But when I got home, I had absolutely no motivation to work it off.
Normally, I'd hit the gym, but that didn't feel like an option with everything happening during COVID. So instead, I bundled up, embraced a chilly Michigan "spring", and decided to start walk/jogging.
It had been a while; it was tough.
I hated it.
And after a couple of weeks... I quit.
Sound familiar?
I remember thinking, Why is this so hard? I used to run! I've done a marathon!
Deep down, I knew I couldn't keep gaining weight, drinking wine, and letting endless scrolling become my only form of social interaction. I missed feeling good in my body. More than that, I missed community.
That's when I started thinking about the running groups and workout friends we'd had in other places we'd lived. Those people made showing up easier. They made fitness fun!
So I had an idea.
What if we started our own running group?
Sean, my husband, was immediately on board. I threw the idea out on Facebook, called it Tawas Wellness Warriors, and every Thursday evening in April, we showed up at the corner by The Chocolatier.
Usually, it was just the two of us.
We'd stand there in the cold for a few minutes, hoping someone else might appear. Then we'd head out on our little 5K loop. Sean would sprint ahead while I'd walk, jog, and eventually meet him at "The Finish."
For nearly a month, no one joined us.
One sleety April evening, I was ready to call it quits.
"No one's coming," I said.
Sean wouldn't let me.
So we ran anyway.
Looking back, it was one of the best decisions we ever made.
The following week, Chase Blackmore showed up, skipping to the start in his bright yellow running shoes. We'd never met before. He and Sean took off on the route, and I chased after them, finishing faster than I had in weeks!
The next week another person came.
And another.
Every week I got a little stronger. A little faster. A little more confident.
Every week, more people showed up. Walking, jogging, running, even biking the route!
By the end of that summer, I'd lost 10 pounds.
But what I gained was infinitely more valuable.
Friendships.
Purpose.
Accountability.
Joy.
What started as a simple Thursday night 5K became proof that one small act of showing up can change an entire community.
Today, Tawas Wellness is powered by people who generously give their time, talents, and hearts to help others become healthier, stronger, and more connected. Communities aren't built by one person with a great idea. They're built by ordinary people who simply keep showing up for one another.
So thank you to everyone who has shown up over these past six years. Whether you've walked a 5K, taught a class, volunteered at an event, washed dishes after a community supper, donated, painted, cleaned a bathroom, or simply encouraged another person—you've helped build this community.
And to those we have yet to meet... we're saving you a spot at the starting line.
-Growing stronger together,
Jenn Brown
ED & Co-Founder
Monday Community Supper
Celebrating Summer with a Hawaiian Luau themed supper this Monday Aug. 3
This will be our last Supper of the summer, so you don't want to miss it! We'll be taking Labor Day off, and then we'll be back for Octoberfest Fun!
Restorative Sound Bath with Alaina
Experience a Mid-Week Reset like No Other! Alaina will be offering
a beautiful, guided Restorative Sound Bath AUGUST 5th at 6:30pm Listening to the different sounds and tones of the singing bowls, gongs, and chimes as they support restorative postures using bolsters and other props. You won't regret taking this time for yourself and your wellness.
Tawas Wellness is excited to announce that we've received a local grant from The Cooper Charitable Fund in partnership with Nicole Eklund, Founder of Outside Insights to offer free, guided outdoor experiences for all ages throughout the greater Tawas area. This is our second year to receive funding for these outdoor adventures, and we are so grateful to be lining up another year of offerings! Thanks so much to the folks at The Cooper Charitable Fund and to Naturalist Nicole Eklund for making this possible. The first one, Busy Butterflies, is geared for families with toddlers. Please RSVP to ensure we have enough supplies for all!
Empower Your Movement with PWR!
Our PWR! Parkinson Wellness Recovery program is a specialized group exercise service designed to slow disease progression and enhance quality of life through strength and cognitive training.
8 sessions, twice a week
Wednesdays and Fridays from 1-3pm
Starts September 2nd
A free, supportive workshop focusing on activity levels and fall concerns.
The Collective, by Tawas Wellness 821 Newman Street, East Tawas, MI 989-305-6322
