Walmart, Thrive launch health and behavior program

Multiple Bentonville residents and employees of Bentonville-based retailer Walmart recently won a share of $1 million as part of a 21-day challenge to improve health and change behaviors.

Kyla Fleming and Patrick Fuller, both of Bentonville, recently won $5,000 after completing the 21-day challenge and submitting a story about it. Earlier this fall, Bentonville resident Ricardo Maisonet won $25,000 and was named a grand champion.

Walmart recently collaborated with Thrive Global, a New York-based behavior change technology company founded by Arianna Huffington, to help Walmart employees and customers make better choices and achieve healthier behavior changes.

Walmart and Thrive created Thrive ZP, which includes the Thrive ZP Challenge and the Thrive ZP Stars program. The 21-day challenge has been relaunched with an expanded prize pool of $1 million per year. Also, the Thrive ZP App was released to allow users to submit their 21-day challenge, allowing them to be one of 15 monthly cash prize winners.

Thrive ZP connects participants to a community in which they can share stories, support each other and celebrate success. It also provides incentives to encourage participants as they build healthier habits. Thrive ZP focuses on the following areas: fitness, food, family money, sleep and gratitude.

Among the Walmart employees who have participated in the program, 97% said it’s led them to take more time to manage their stress, build resilience and help others do the same, according to Thrive Sciences, the research practice of Thrive Global.

“Thrive ZP is available to anyone, worldwide,” said Libby Duke, senior director of execution and impact for Thrive. “Users from the U.S., whether they are a Walmart associate or not, who complete a 21-day challenge and submit a story about their experience will be entered for a chance to win part of a $1 million prize pool.”