Success Story: Tributary Wellness

Wendy Guido, a seasoned physical therapist with a passion for helping others, founded Tributary Wellness in October 2022 in Jackson, WY. Inspired by the potential to positively impact the lives of individuals with Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative diseases, Wendy developed a unique program that combines the power of exercise, community, and neuroscience.

Wendy Guido

Wendy’s career as a clinician and medical professional, as well as her background in wilderness guiding and adaptive sports has shaped her holistic approach to healthcare. She recognized a gap in traditional physical therapy, particularly for individuals with neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease. By blending clinical expertise with innovative techniques, Tributary Wellness is a program that empowers participants to improve their quality of life.

“Rock Steady Boxing is a high intensity exercise program that has shown to be affective at helping people manage symptoms for Parkinson’s,” Wendy says. “It’s delivered by physical therapists and other medical professionals. Evidence shows it can help slow the progression of the disease. To get somebody to a high intensity of work and exertion – a competitive environment with positive energy and momentum, with a group of people allows you to get to that intensity. The group support and benefits like showing up and exercising with someone in the same boat as they are – with a progressive neurological condition – they now have an avenue to fight back together. It’s really powerful. I think it gives them some control over the trajectory that they’re on – that they’re doing everything they can to have the best outcomes. The way it combines voice activation, coordination, memorizing, and sequencing boxing skills gets the brain lighting up in ways that traditional exercise doesn’t.”

Photo courtesy of Wendy Guido

Like many entrepreneurs, Wendy faced challenges in launching her business. Navigating the complexities of business operations, marketing, and finance required significant effort and dedication. With the support of Regional Directors Audie Cunningham and Rob Condie at the Wyoming Small Business Development Center Network, she was able to overcome these hurdles and establish a solid foundation for Tributary Wellness.

“To be able to make a list with somebody, and make sure I was doing everything I needed to be, like running my marketing strategy and numbers by someone and making sure things were going to be set up in a sustainable way for success was huge,” Wendy says. “They connected me with resources to chat about QuickBooks and to figure out the best website software and what was necessary for accounting and that sort of thing.”

Since its inception, Tributary Wellness has made a significant impact on the lives of individuals with Parkinson’s disease. The program’s unique approach has shown promising results in improving motor function, cognitive abilities, and overall quality of life. Tributary Wellness was able to impact 25 clients within the first year, 80% of whom maintained or improved their function.

Wendy’s vision for the future of Tributary Wellness includes expanding the program to Montana and offering remote sessions to reach more people in need. She aims to empower individuals across the country to take control of their health and wellness. Her story is a testament to the power of compassion, perseverance, and a commitment to making a difference. Through Tributary Wellness, Wendy creates positive change and inspires others to live their best lives.

Learn more about Tributary Wellness and their services at https://www.tributarywellness.com