Evidence-based fitness and activation coaching for bariatric surgery patients — subsidized so income is never a barrier to long-term health.
Bariatric surgery is a tool, not a finish line. The research is clear: without sustained behavioral support in the years following surgery, most patients face significant weight regain and the return of comorbidities. Traditional fitness programs fail this population because they assume a level of self-management that patients haven't yet developed.
Phoenix Fitness Foundation exists to fill that gap. We train certified personal trainers in evidence-based activation coaching and subsidize their services so that patients — regardless of income — can access the long-term support they need.
Our approach is built on the Patient Activation Measure (PAM-13) framework — a validated clinical tool that assesses an individual's knowledge, skills, and confidence in managing their own health.
Trainers certified by Phoenix are equipped to meet patients where they are, matching coaching intensity to each person's current activation level — and progressively building toward independence and lasting self-efficacy.
PAM-13 is used by health systems, insurers, and researchers worldwide to improve patient outcomes.
We recruit experienced certified personal trainers and provide specialized training in activation coaching, trauma-informed communication, bariatric physiology, and PAM-level-matched program design. Trainers join our network as 1099 contractors and are matched with subsidized clients.
Trainer InformationQualifying patients work with a Phoenix-certified trainer at significantly reduced cost. The Foundation subsidizes up to 80% of session fees, with participants contributing on an income-based sliding scale. No patient is turned away for financial reasons.
Patient Information"Traditional post-surgical fitness programs are often delivered during the surgical honeymoon period — not during the critical two-to-three year window when behavioral support matters most."Phoenix Fitness Foundation Program Framework
Bariatric surgery recipients seeking affordable, evidence-based fitness and lifestyle coaching.
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Experienced CPTs ready to expand their practice into medically-adjacent, mission-driven work.
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Bariatric centers, hospitals, and primary care practices seeking trusted aftercare referral pathways.
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