Inspiring Fountain Hills’ Journey Toward a Healthier, Happier, and More Connected Community.

Founded through the leadership of the Rotary Club of Four Peaks and supported by I Love Fountain Hills and the community organizations committed to making Fountain Hills a healthier, happier, and more connected place to live.

Imagine a Healthier, Happier Fountain Hills

Imagine Fountain Hills, Arizona as a place where healthy choices feel natural, connection comes easily, and people of all ages can thrive. That is the vision behind Blue Zone Inspired, Phase I, a community-driven effort to explore and pursue what it would take for Fountain Hills to become a Blue Zone Certified Community.

Together, we can build a future centered on longevity, well-being, purpose, and joy.

How You Can Help – Get in Touch

Your support is essential in making this initiative a success! We welcome both personal supporters and organizational partners who want to help shape a healthier Fountain Hills.

You can get involved by:

• Volunteer to support community outreach and events
• Participate in upcoming community discussions and listening sessions.
• Become a sponsor and help fund Phase I: Readiness & Feasibility
• Donate today using the button below to help move the project forward.

What Could a Blue Zone Fountain Hills Look Like?

A Blue Zone-inspired community promotes habits that support longer, healthier, and happier lives. In Fountain Hills, this could include:

Healthy Eating

Thriving farmers markets, community gardens, and local restaurants that make fresh, plant-forward foods easy and enjoyable.

Active Living

Expanded walking and biking paths, group fitness opportunities, hiking clubs, and outdoor wellness experiences that embrace our beautiful desert landscape.

Social Connection

Community gatherings, clubs, volunteer opportunities, and neighborhood events that help residents build meaningful relationships and a sense of belonging.

Mindfulness & Stress Reduction

Peaceful parks shaded gathering spaces, meditation areas, and wellness programming that support balance and resilience.

Accessible Wellness Resources

Preventive health services, screenings, educational programs, and partnerships that focus on whole person’s well-being.

Arts, Culture & Purpose

Art walks, music festivals, educational forums, and service opportunities that keep our community inspired, connected, and purpose driven.

By weaving these elements into everyday life, Fountain Hills can continue to grow as a place where people live longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.

Learn More About Blue Zones

• What is a Blue Zone Community? Find out more for information here.
• What is a Blue Zone Project? Learn here
• History of Blue Zones. Learn here
• Who is Dan Buettner? Read more.

About Dan Buettner and the Blue Zones Movement

Dan Buettner, explorer, author, and CEO of Blue Zones LLC, partnered with National Geographic and the National Institute on Aging to identify regions around the world where people live the longest and healthiest lives.

His research uncovered nine shared lifestyle habits, known as the Blue Zone Power 9®, including:

• Moving naturally
• Eating wisely
• Living with purpose
• Belonging
• Putting loved ones first
• Building strong social circles
• Downshifting daily
• Eating to 80% full
• Choosing a plant-slant lifestyle

These principles have already inspired successful community transformations across the United States.

Dan Buettner and his team have brought the concept of Blue Zones to the United States in several ways, including:

• The Blue Zones 30 Day Challenge: A book that provides a quick start to building a Blue Zones lifestyle.
• The Blue Zones American Kitchen: A book that explores the traditional roots of plant-based cuisine in the United States
• Albert Lea, Minnesota: The first certified Blue Zone in the United States
• Charlottesville, Virginia: A city that Buettner considers a Blue Zone due to its residents’ healthy diet, civic participation, and sense of purpose.

Fountain Hills “Inspired” Steering Committee Team Members

The Blue Zone Inspired movement is a community-led initiative managed through the I Love Fountain Hills nonprofit organization and made possible through the Grand Patron Sponsorship of Four Peaks Rotary. Together, both 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are helping lead a healthier, more connected future for Fountain Hills.

United by purpose, local leaders, nonprofits, wellness advocates, businesses, and civic partners are helping our community thrive for generations to come.

Our Mission

To inspire a healthier, happier, and more connected Fountain Hills by increasing awareness, sharing knowledge, and encouraging individuals to take ownership of their personal well-being.

Our Approach

Through education, community conversations, shared experiences, and practical lifestyle ideas inspired by the Blue Zones principles, we empower residents to explore meaningful choices that enhance their quality of life.

Our Guiding Belief

We believe lasting change begins with awareness, personal choice, and a community that supports one another.

Four Phases: Why Phase I Matters

Phase I focuses on readiness and feasibility.

During this stage, we are:

• Collecting community data
• Building strategic partnerships
• Listening to residents and stakeholders
• Identifying the best path forward for Fountain Hills

This thoughtful approach ensures the initiative is aligned with our community’s values, needs, and opportunities. After Phase I, the journey would continue through Phases II, III through to sustainability.

Our Leadership Team

• Julie Ewald | Executive Director
• Jill Templeton-Haislip | Director
• Alison Stumpf | Director
• Debbie Romano | Director of Organizations, Fountain Hills Healthy Heartbeats
• Kyle Tolis | Director of Schools, Fountain Hills Snap Fitness
• Amy Nelson | Community Projects Chair, ExecLevel Wellness
• Debbie Clason | Public Affairs, Healthy Fountain Hills, Clason Communications
• Susan Dempster | Public Policy Lead, Coldwell Banker Realty
• Rita Applegate | Fountain Hills Community Garden, Garden Manager
• Libbie Sexton | Merchandise Coordinator, Wonderfully Made 139, LLC
• Byron Roman | Sister Cities Committee Chair, Ataco, El Salvador
• Many Community Supporters

To learn more, feel free to contact any member of our Steering Committee leadership team.

Upcoming Events & Presentations

Visit us, to learn more about the Blue Zone Inspired initiative, and discover how you can help shape a healthier future for our town. Steering Committee meetings are held monthly on the 3rd Wednesday every month at the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce, 16837 E Palisades Blvd, Fountain Hills, AZ  on the 2nd Floor, Ambassador Boardroom.

Powered by the Organizations Who Love Fountain Hills

Our Blue Zone Inspired community journey is strengthened by the organizations, businesses, nonprofits, and civic leaders who already believe in a healthier future for Fountain Hills.

Their early support reflects a growing movement rooted in well-being, connection, and community pride.

Founding Partners

• Four Peaks Rotary of Fountain Hills, AZ
• I Love Fountain Hills, Fountain Hills Cultural and Civic Association
• Fountain Hills Healthy Heartbeats
• Fountain Hills Leadership Academy
• Healthy Fountain Hills

Community Wellness Partners & Supporting Organizations

(Fitness, healthcare, restaurants, schools, gardens, and nonprofits)

• Aesthetic Elegance and Wellness
• Donna Beers
• ExceLevel Wellness
• Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce
• Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce Healthy Industry Stakeholders and Local Wellness Businesses
• Fountain Hills Community Garden
• Fountain Hills Farmers Market
• Fountain Hills Gives Community Foundation
• Fountain Hills Leadership Academy
• Fountain Hills Physical Therapy
• Fountain Hills Unified School District, Dr. Cain Jagodzinski
• Good Living Greens
• Healing Journeys with Starr
• Home Watch Neighbor
• Mayor Gerry M. Friedel
• Mountain View Kitchen
• RE/MAX Sun Properties
• Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty, DeGeorge Partner Realtors
• Snap 24/7 Fitness Fountain Hills
• Social Sips on the Avenue
• Sonburst Studio
• Susan Dempster, Coldwell Banker Realty
• The Inspiration Academy
• The Mortgage Lot, Powered by Tolis Mortgage Financial Group LLC
• Wond3erfully Made 139, LLC
• Quantum Health Organics
• Schools, Nonprofits, and Civic Organizations

 Future Blue Zone Inspired Collaborators

• Restaurants
• Worksites
• Grocery Stores
• Faith communities
• Schools and youth partners
• Participating Organizations: Engaging community groups, faith-based organizations, HOAs, and non-profits in promoting well-being.

Stay Connected

More updates, presentations, and engagement opportunities are coming soon. For questions, partnership opportunities, or presentations, please contact:

Julie Ewald, 708-267-5266

Directors: Debbie Romano, (708)267-1413, fhhealthyheartbeats@gmail.com | Kyle Tolis | Jill Templeton-Haislip

Community Projects Coordinator, Please Contact: Amy Nelson | (480)221-3590 | amy@execlevelwellness.com