Sam Manchulenko knows two things about Manitobans.

   Many are adopting a healthier lifestyle. But unfortunately, most don't know where to start.

   That's why the 31-year-old life coach designed The Lifestyle Pass -- a $40 passport to wellness that warrants savings, promotions and accessibility at 27 local destinations.

   "I just noticed a trend where a lot of friends and people I knew wanted to start healthier lives and just weren't sure what to do or where to go," Manchulenko said last week from Toronto, where she is choreographing a new Canadian musical. "It's easier to make habits stick if you have a little bit of fun."

   Tiber River Naturals, Fresh Cafe, Pilates Manitoba and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra are among those retailers offering percentage discounts, free products or two-for-one exercise sessions similar to what people have previously seen in savings cards.

   Some even call the Lifestyle Pass a "new-age Show and Save."

   But Manchulenko said she doesn't want people to think switching to a healthier yet frugal lifestyle requires clipping coupons.

   The entrepreneur said she deliberately made the pass -- which has a $700 retail value -- a one-shot, portable card simply because it's easier for the active people she hopes will buy it to keep track of.

   She also created pointed differences between it and previous incarnations.

   "There are a lot of two-for-ones or passes that offer free classes for two," she said. "If you're intimidated you can go with a friend."

   To redeem offers in the pass, users just flash it at vendors, who stamp one of its pages -- like a passport.

   Ryann Doucette, co-owner of Moksha Yoga Winnipeg, said most companies involved were already working with each other and like-minded businesses to get the young demographic more involved in physical activity and wellness.

   "It gives people a lot of exposure," she said.

   Moksha is a retailer of the card and Doucette estimated she's already sold more than 30 passports.

   In the first week, Manchulenko said she sold 100 of the 500 copies printed.

   Partial proceeds from the pass go to CancerCare Manitoba. 

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