Ryan is a leader in the field of worksite wellness, having founded the Worksite Wellness Council of Massachusetts. She's a thriving and authoritative businesswoman and successful professional speaker.

In my BNI chapter, I find that before I can successfully make the case that fellow members should refer me as a wellbeing coach, I have to make the case that wellbeing coaching is worthwhile in itself.

I like Al Lewis, the bomb-throwing wellness-industry analyst, but it’s hard to know which obscures the other, his brilliance or the chip on his shoulder. I’ve interviewed him, and we’ve corresponded from time to time. He’s engaging, informed, and a dogged polemicist whom I would not want on my trail.

Dan Witters is research director of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. Since 1993 as a consultant and analyst, he has directed more than $100 million in research for some of the world’s best-managed companies better understand their marketplace, customers, and employees. 

Pam Warren became known as Britain's "Lady in the Mask" after she survived a horrific train crash that killed 31 and wounded hundreds in 1999. She's now one of Britain's most sought-after professional speakers.

Welcome to another episode of “10 Words or Less,” in which I ask brief questions of interesting people and request brief answers in return. I’m Michael Prager, an author, professional speaker, and lifestyle and wellbeing coach. I began this interview series in 2002 while working at the Boston Globe, so today’s guest joins a long and distinguished list. He’s an outspoken leader on corporate wellness programs who holds undergrad and law degrees from Harvard, and in 2013, Forbes Magazine named him one of “13 To Watch” in health care.

I’m fond of Al Lewis, but we don’t always agree. In this HuffPost column, which I’m just catching up on, he equates all efforts to address obesity within wellness programs as fat-shaming. And that’s just overstatement born of inadequate understanding.

It’s OK, Al, I’m here to help, in the spirit of sharing.

This version of "10 Words" veers a bit from the typical, in that it became more of a conversation than an interview. That helps explain why it runs longer than usual. But I'd put it up with practically any of its siblings for interest and illumination. Enjoy!

Putnam is CEO of Motion Infusion, a well-being training and consulting firm based in the Bay Area, and the author of Workplace Wellness That Works, published by Wiley.

I have another piece in Corporate Wellness Magazine, this time a reported piece despite its having been labeled a column.

Headlined "The Future of Wellness," it asks wellness leaders at Southwest Airlines, L.L.Bean, and other companies what they're trying to achieve, and what's working for them. The story posted a while ago, but I realized this morning that I never shared it here. 

It's good. You should read it.