Parkland-Spanaway, WA – [Friday May 24, 2024] – Blue Zones Project
Parkland-Spanaway proudly highlights the inspiring story of Berta Rivera, a local
resident whose life has been profoundly transformed through her participation in
Blue Zones Project’s free community wellness programs.

Meet Berta

Berta Rivera, a 40-year Parkland resident and retiree, has always had difficulty
managing her weight and in the past few years began to see a decline in her
mobility. Various times throughout her life, Berta has attempted to lose weight and
keep it off but every time she lost weight, she would quickly find it again.

It wasn’t until late November in 2023 that Berta’s desire to lose weight was sparked
again. After having watched the Netflix docuseries entitled Live to 100: Secrets of the
Blue Zones, Berta was inspired!

Berta was further inspired when she discovered that there was a Blue Zones Project,
an initiative dedicated to helping Parkland-Spanaway residents live past the age of
100, right here in the city she knew and loved.

Living a happy, healthy life never felt more achievable.

Berta began a transformative health journey and dedicated herself to learning as
much as she could about living a longer, better life.

First, she joined our free healthy cooking classes, where she learned that making
great-tasting healthy food was not only easy but inexpensive.

After this, she joined a Walking Moai, a community group that made moving
naturally both easy and tons of fun!

Finally, Berta attended a Purpose Workshop, where she learned how to give back to
her community in a way that was impactful and personally satisfying.

Since then, Berta has successfully lost 16 pounds in just six weeks. She is far more
physically mobile and is enjoying the rediscovered freedom of moving with ease.
More than physical health improvements, Berta’s involvement with the Blue Zones
Project has also strengthened her relationship with her adult daughter, Alex.

By joining our programs together, Berta and Alex have a reason to see each other
consistently every week and are now actively supporting each other to reach their
wellness goals.

“I can’t believe that it was so effortless”, Berta says.

Berta is a healthier, happier person in Parkland-Spanaway because she has
uncovered a beautiful truth. The things that make life long are also the things that
make life worthwhile. An active body, good food, good friends, and a deep sense of
purpose.

To hear more about her story, watch Berta’s Blue Zones Story.

Berta’s story is not the only one. Her story is one of so many from local residents
whose lives are being marked by the impact Blue Zones Project Parkland-Spanaway
is having on the community.

So, what will your Blue Zones Story be?

About the Blue Zones Project

Blue Zones Project Parkland-Spanaway is a community-wide health & well-being
initiative designed to make healthy choices easier through permanent changes to
our environment, policy, and community.

Developed by Blue Zones, LLC and brought to Parkland-Spanaway by MultiCare,
Pierce County, and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, this project is vital to
enhancing the quality of life for all residents in the Parkland-Spanaway region.

We invite all community members to explore the variety of programs we offer and to
join the health movement that is reshaping Parkland-Spanaway into a healthier,
happier place to live, work, play, learn, and worship.

For more information about the Blue Zones Project and how you can get involved,
please visit linktr.ee/parklandspanaway or contact
bzpparklandspanaway@bluezones.com