At LifeWays, wellness isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s a deeply personal journey shaped by individual needs and goals. Serving residents in Jackson and Hillsdale counties, LifeWays is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) that focuses on holistic, person-centered care by offering a variety of mental wellness and substance use services for adults, youth, and families.

LifeWays Wellness coaches Brandon Knapp and Pam Swafford further this mission by helping community members build healthier lives through programs grounded in holistic health ideals and practices. 

“Mental wellness and physical activity are so interconnected,” says Swafford. “We’re trying our best to do as much as we can, offering different classes and programs to help our consumers live the best life that they can.”

The connection between physical activity and mental wellness is at the heart of LifeWays’ growing roster of health programs. Community response has been overwhelmingly positive. Many participants report feeling stronger, more confident, and more in control of their well-being after taking part in programs like Wellness Wednesdays and Stress Less. The success of these programs at the Jackson location has even prompted LifeWays to expand select classes to its Hillsdale site. 

Pam Swafford“What I like about LifeWays is we aren’t just about mental health, we’re about whole health,” says Swafford. “LifeWays is big on the eight dimensions of wellness. We try to incorporate those as much as we can in our programming.”

The eight dimensions of wellness are emotional, environmental, intellectual, financial, occupational, physical, spiritual, and social. This flexible framework allows each person to set goals that truly matter to them.

Knapp and Swafford both joke that they have “the best job at LifeWays.” As wellness coaches, they help consumers define and pursue their own version of well-being — one that goes far beyond physical health. Knapp describes celebrating a variety of milestones with consumers, everything from cutting back on smoking to preparing for job interviews with renewed confidence.

“We start off by asking, ‘What does a healthy lifestyle look like to you?’” says Knapp. “This is not me giving you a cookie cutter diet and workout plan. We’re on the ground with you and want to figure out what your journey might look like.”

Each week, LifeWays’ Wellness Wednesdays bring together education, movement, and community to support participants in building healthier habits. Held Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the LifeWays Wellness Room in Jackson, the free, eight-week program includes a nutrition and wellness lesson, a guided fitness class, and a healthy lunch.

The program emphasizes small, sustainable changes over quick fixes. Weekly attendance plays a key role in long-term success. According to Knapp, many participants complete the full eight weeks and immediately register again, eager to continue the progress they’ve made. 

Brandon Knapp“There’s a whole lot more that goes into health than just weight,” says Knapp. “Consistent and intentional little changes add up. It’s our job to educate people on how to make those changes and be consistent in our classes and on their own.”

Knapp says many people begin their wellness journey with the belief that weight loss is the ultimate goal — often due to misinformation, not lack of effort or care. But through LifeWays programs, participants gradually learn from Knapp and Swafford that true health is about much more than “being skinny.” 

“A lot of people come in and want to start a wellness journey. We always tell them to be kind to themselves,” says Knapp. “It’s a long journey. A lot of people underestimate where they can be, and it doesn’t have to be just physical things.”

Building on the momentum from Wellness Wednesdays, LifeWays also offers Stress Less activities designed to help participants manage stress and protect their mental health. Swafford notes that stress can negatively impact not only the mind but also the body, highlighting the importance of LifeWays’ holistic approach to health and wellness. Held every Thursday in Jackson, these drop-in sessions alternate between music therapy and art therapy to provide creative, accessible ways to reduce stress. 

“Stress can cause so many different health issues — mental, physical, all of it,” says Swafford. “Whether it’s exercise, mindfulness, being in the moment, we provide the education and know where other resources are to help prioritize your mental health and find ways to manage your stress.”


At LifeWays, wellness isn't one-size-fits-all- it's a deeply personal journey shaped by individual needs and goals.

LifeWays wellness programs are open to the public. Personalized Fitness is available to individuals receiving services at LifeWays. 

“This is a stepping stone,” says Knapp. “It’s cool as a coach to see all the progress these clients make. We develop a bond with them where we really want to help them and see them succeed.”

For  information or to sign-up for a program, email communityhealthwellness@lifewaysmi.org or call (517) 789-5723.

Lee Van Roth is a Michigan native and longtime Washtenaw County resident. They want to use their journalistic experience from their time at Eastern Michigan University writing for the Eastern Echo to tell the stories of Michigan residents that need to be heard.

Photos of Pam Swafford and Brandon Knapp courtesy LifeWays.
Photo of group walking by RDNE via Pexels.com.

The MI Mental Health series highlights the opportunities that Michigan's children, teens, and adults of all ages have to find the mental health help they need, when and where they need it. It is made possible with funding from the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan, Center for Health and Research Transformation, LifeWays, Michigan Health and Hospital Association, Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Authority, OnPoint, Sanilac County Community Mental Health, St. Clair County Community Mental Health, Summit Pointe, and Washtenaw County Community Mental Health and Public Safety Preservation Millage.