The Win-Win of Workplace Wellness with Becca Schusler on Positivity Matters Podcast
At Atlantic Packaging, health and well-being aren’t just benefits, they’re the foundation of how we do business. On a recent episode of the Positivity Matters Podcast, Becca Schusler, Atlantic’s Health and Wellness Director, sat down with host Nick Hernandez to discuss how fostering employee wellness creates ripple effects that extend far beyond the workplace.
Building a Culture Where Well-Being Thrives
With over 20 years of experience in workplace wellness, Becca’s mission is simple yet transformative: to create systems and environments where people can thrive the moment they walk through the door. Her approach moves beyond isolated programs, it’s about designing a way of being that integrates health into daily life and company culture.
“If we can create environments that are conducive to well-being,” says Becca, “then it’s not even something people have to think about. They can just be well.”
The Nature Challenge: Reconnecting with What Sustains Us
One of the most beloved initiatives at Atlantic is the annual Nature Challenge, inspired by the book The Nature Fix. The idea is simple: spend 20 minutes a day outdoors, three hours a month fully immersed in nature, and one unplugged day a year.
Across Atlantic’s 26+ locations, employees share photos of their gardens, hikes, sunsets, and beach walks, fostering connection and gratitude for the natural world, and for each other.
“It’s been a great way not only for us to get out into nature,” shared Becca, “but to connect with each other across the grid.”
Connection, Purpose, and Prevention
Atlantic’s wellness philosophy is rooted in core values: Connection, Nourishment, Purpose, Movement, Nature, and Prevention.
Whether through volunteerism, group health sessions, or company-wide wellness challenges, these principles guide how the organization approaches employee engagement, community involvement, and sustainability.
At Atlantic’s facility in Tabor City, North Carolina, for example, employees participate in group sessions focused on diabetes and metabolic health, creating both education and friendship. These programs embody what Becca calls “the culture of care,” a workplace where employees look out for one another.
From the Inside Out: A New Model for Business
Becca emphasizes that companies are not just employers, they’re determinants of health. When workplaces design systems that promote movement, mindfulness, connection, and flexibility, they become part of the larger ecosystem of community wellness.