Phoenix Fitness Foundation provides bariatric centers, hospitals, and primary care practices with a structured, evidence-based fitness coaching referral for post-surgical patients — at no cost to your organization.
The clinical research on bariatric outcomes is consistent: surgical success and long-term health maintenance depend heavily on behavioral factors that emerge years after the procedure — not weeks. Most bariatric programs deliver their highest-intensity support during the surgical period, then taper off precisely when patients enter the highest-risk window for regain and habit breakdown.
Your care team shouldn't have to carry that burden alone. Phoenix gives you a structured referral partner for the long game — trained professionals who speak your clinical language and document outcomes in a way that's meaningful to your program.
Structured referral process. A simple, low-friction referral pathway for your team to connect patients with Phoenix services.
Trained professionals. Every Phoenix trainer completes our certification curriculum in bariatric physiology, PAM-based coaching, and trauma-informed communication.
Outcome tracking. We use the PAM-13 framework to document patient activation progress — a validated measure your team will recognize.
Cost to your organization: none. Phoenix operates on a nonprofit subsidy model. Your patients benefit; you bear no financial obligation.
The Patient Activation Measure (PAM-13) is a validated, widely-adopted instrument developed to assess and improve patients' knowledge, skills, and confidence in self-managing their health. Research published in peer-reviewed journals demonstrates that higher PAM scores are strongly associated with improved health behaviors, better chronic disease management, reduced emergency department utilization, and lower overall healthcare costs.
Phoenix Fitness Foundation applies this framework to the fitness coaching context — meeting post-surgical patients at their current activation level rather than assuming a readiness that isn't yet there. This approach is particularly important for patients in the 2–3 year post-surgical window, when motivation from the surgical honeymoon has faded and behavioral relapse risk is highest.
Level 1: Overwhelmed; passive in care. Coaching focuses on creating safe, successful exercise experiences and reducing perceived threat.
Level 2: Aware but lacking confidence. Building knowledge and early behavioral skills.
Level 3: Taking action but not yet consistent. Developing routines and self-monitoring.
Level 4: Maintaining behaviors. Focus shifts to resilience, relapse prevention, and independence.
We are actively seeking our founding healthcare partners in the Denver metro area. To learn more or to discuss a formal partnership agreement, reach out using the information below.
Geof Shuford, Executive Director
geof@phoenixfitnessfoundation.org
We are happy to provide a one-page program overview and answer any clinical or operational questions your team has before entering a formal agreement.