We were lucky to catch up with Stacy Fritz recently and have shared our conversation below.
Stacy, appreciate you joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?
Health and well-being have always been important to me, but it wasn’t until about 8 years ago that I truly grasped the impact of daily lifestyle choices. In the spring of 2016, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Less than six months later, my dad needed emergency triple bypass surgery. As my parents began to recover, my only sibling, my brother Brad, was diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer in February 2018 at just 46 years old.
In just 18 months, my family faced three major health crises, none of which were genetic. Tragically, my brother passed away on October 21, 2020, at 49, from a condition typically seen in men over 70.
These experiences profoundly shifted my focus toward the power of prevention and the significant role of daily habits in our health. Many adults spend much of their waking hours at work or doing work-related activities. I firmly believe that the daily habits we cultivate at home and work can help prevent chronic diseases or contribute to their development.
My journey to creating the vidaBALL® and transforming my business is deeply rooted in a personal story of resilience and healing. My inspiration for the vidaBALL® is personal. Watching my brother navigate a Stage IV cancer diagnosis inspired me to find a natural and accessible solution for managing stress and anxiety. This experience not only led to the creation of the vidaBALL® but also strengthened my connection with Believe Big, a nonprofit organization that supports individuals on their cancer journey. A portion of vidaBALL® proceeds will be donated to Believe Big, aligning with their mission of integrating clinical and integrative therapies for cancer treatment.
Creating the vidaBALL® in honor of my brother, Brad, helped me profoundly find my purpose. Through Brad’s cancer journey, I witnessed firsthand the power of resilience and the importance of holistic approaches to managing pain and stress. The idea for the vidaBALL® stemmed from my desire to provide Brad with a tangible tool to train his breath and alleviate his suffering.
This journey of innovation and dedication allowed me to channel my grief into a meaningful endeavor, giving me a sense of purpose by helping others facing similar challenges.
The vidaBALL® became more than just a product; it became a symbol of hope, resilience, and love, all inspired by Brad’s enduring spirit.
Stacy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I have over 15 years of experience in corporate wellness, including program development and strategic wellness planning. As the CEO and President of FIT2order, I have developed and implemented onsite and online wellness programs focused on exercise, nutrition, stress management, and pain management for a diverse range of clients, including businesses, hospitals, schools, and communities. My extensive background includes a Master of Education (M.Ed.) and advanced certifications as an American Council on Exercise Certified Behavior/Lifestyle Coach and Trainer, Yoga Alliance E-RYT 500, Thai Bodywork practitioner, Reiki Level 2 practitioner, and Stretch/Breathing Coach.
My unique contribution to the wellness field is the creation of the vidaBALL®, a handheld device designed to help individuals manage daily stress and anxiety through guided breathing exercises. This product was inspired by my personal experience of losing my only sibling to cancer and my desire to provide effective, accessible stress management tools. The vidaBALL®, along with our signature resistance bands, workshops, and healthy@work kits, reflects my commitment to offering innovative and practical micro work breaks that improve health and well-being.
My journey from teaching children with disabilities to becoming a leader in corporate wellness has equipped me with a deep understanding of the physical and emotional aspects of wellness. This comprehensive approach allows me to create impactful programs that address the unique needs of sedentary employees, people with chronic conditions, and children to help them lead healthier and more balanced lives.
When I first set out to create the vidaBALL®, I had no experience in product innovation. My background was in education, health, and well-being, and the idea of developing a physical product was entirely new to me. However, my motivation was deeply personal–I wanted to create something that could help my brother manage his stress and anxiety as he battled cancer.
Despite the steep learning curve, I believed wholeheartedly in the potential of my idea. I immersed myself in research, learning everything I could about innovation, product design, and manufacturing. There were countless obstacles and moments of doubt, but my determination never wavered. Every step of the process, from the initial concept to the final product, was fueled by my desire to provide a tool that could offer relief and support.
The vidaBALL® was born out of a place of service and love. It wasn’t just about creating a product; it was about making a meaningful difference in my brother’s life and, by extension, the lives of others dealing with similar struggles. This journey taught me that when you believe in the possibility of achieving the impossible, you can turn even the most challenging dreams into reality.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
The vidaBALL® was born out of a place of service and love. It wasn’t just about creating a product; it was about making a meaningful difference in my brother’s life and, by extension, the lives of others dealing with similar struggles. This journey taught me that when you believe in the possibility of achieving the impossible, you can turn even the most challenging dreams into reality.
Have you ever had to pivot?
In the face of unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, I found myself at a crossroads that demanded both resilience and reinvention. After 13 years of running a successful business with my dear friend and business partner, Pattie, the seismic shifts in the global landscape made it clear that our paths needed to diverge. Dissolving the partnership wasn’t just a business decision—it was personal, as we had built something meaningful together.
As the world transitioned to remote work, so did I, moving my operations to a home office. This shift wasn’t just about adapting to a new workspace; it was an opportunity to rethink and reposition my entire approach to our business.
At the same time, my only sibling, my brother Brad was battling cancer. I invented the vidaBALL® to help him manage daily stress, pain, and anxiety. In 2024, I was finally able to launch the vidaBALL® to my corporate clients to meet the emerging needs of a workforce suddenly grappling with elevated forms of stress and isolation.
Repositioning in the marketplace wasn’t just about survival; it was about thriving in a transformed world. I leaned into my entrepreneurial instincts, leveraging the unique challenges of the time to create solutions that resonated more deeply with my clients’ evolving needs. The pivot wasn’t easy, but it reaffirmed my belief in the power of adaptability and innovation, proving that even in the most uncertain and uncomfortable times, there’s an opportunity to grow and redefine success.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thevidaball.com | www.fit2order.com | www.stacyfritz.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fit2order.md/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FIT2order
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacy-fritz-9a5a8910/
- Twitter: https://x.com/fit2order_md
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@fit2order409