According to the Global Wellness Institute, the global health and wellness industry is now worth $4.2 trillion. The industry has been growing with 12.8% between 2015 and 2017 and represents a whopping 5.3% of global economic output. For local entrepreneurs, that is creating a lot of opportunities – but that also means there’s a lot of competition.

Nicole Cummins is owner of Barre 3, a boutique fitness studio that’s part of a Portland, Oregon-based chain with more than 130 locations around the country. Barre 3 offers a full body, low-impact cardio workout that incorporates deep long hold, micromovements and the traditional ballet bar.  Nicole brought Barre 3 to baton Rouge in January 2017, when she opened the first and so far only studio in the Acadian Village Shopping Center. Today some 300-500 members a week come through the studio to take one of the dozens of classes offered. 

Kirk Vidrine is a nutritionist and kinesiologist with his own company, V Well Solutions, that is marketing wellness programs to small and mid-sized companies in the region. In conjunction, Kirk also has created a healthy eating and weight loss program called Fit Foodies, that teaches users through videos, blogs and detailed recipes how to cook and eat healthful meals that will help you lose weight in eight weeks. And, equally remarkable, this life-changing experience is, intentionally, seriously affordable. 

Out to Lunch is recorded over lunch at Mansurs on the Boulevard. You'll find photos from this show by Karrry Hosford and more info on our guests and Out to Lunch crew on our website.