Tivity Health

The story of Tivity Health begins in 1981 when it was founded as American Healthways. The company that would eventually become a major player in senior fitness didn't start with its most famous brand. The pivotal moment came in 2006 when its predecessor, Healthways, acquired Axia Health Management. This deal brought in the SilverSneakers program, a fitness offering for seniors created in 1992 by Mary Swanson. Swanson was inspired by her father's health journey after a heart attack to create a fitness program specifically for older adults. After rebranding from Healthways to Tivity Health in 2017, the company embarked on a significant, yet complicated, acquisition. In 2019, Tivity Health acquired Nutrisystem, a well-known weight management company, for approximately $1.3 billion in a bid to create an integrated fitness and nutrition platform. However, the combination proved challenging, and Tivity later sold the Nutrisystem business to Kainos Capital in October 2020. Navigating the turbulent period following the Nutrisystem deal, Tivity continued to focus on its core senior health and fitness brands. This journey led to another major event. In 2022, Tivity Health was acquired by the private equity firm Stone Point Capital for $2 billion and was taken private, ceasing to trade on the Nasdaq. This acquisition marked a new chapter for the company, aiming to accelerate growth and expand its service offerings under private ownership.