Writer / Ali Schneider
Photographer / Jubilee Edgell
In the summer of 2023, Tori Prendergast had a vision to create a one-of-a-kind weight loss facility for the community of Bremen. As her passion came to fruition, Max Metabolic Wellness & Weight Loss was born.
Prendergast saw the need for individuals to gain access to weight management providers and the resources to help them achieve their goals. With all of the fad diets and weight loss programs on the market, Prendergast aimed to operate her clinic in a different light. This is when she realized the Bremen area was in need of a convenient, affordable clinic that focused on working one-on-one with clients. Her initial goal, which remains the same today, is to focus on helping people feel empowered to get healthy and lose weight in a comfortable setting.
Since she opened the doors to Max Metabolic in July, the business has grown significantly. Prendergast and her team now provide nutrition consulting, medical weight loss programs, hormone analysis, and functional medicine to patients all over Indiana. It has also grown beyond state lines.
“I even have a few who come to see me from Michigan,” Prendergast says. “In March I will be taking some new patients at my direct primary care practice in Bremen – Mint City Health & Wellness.”
While developing her business, Prendergast knew she wanted to focus on a cash-based model. Although she does not accept insurance, it gives her patients the opportunity to pay an affordable monthly membership fee. This fee covers all office visits, as well as additional services. This approach gives patients without insurance, and those who have a high deductible, the chance to receive the same high-quality care as other clinics.
The roots of Max Metabolic date back far beyond the concept of the clinic. “I got started in the health industry as a registered nurse by working in the hospital setting, but my true love is fitness,” Prendergast says.
She began teaching women’s fitness classes in her hometown of Bremen, where she was motivated and excited to see how she could help women be physically stronger and feel mentally encouraged. Combining her passion for fitness with her desire to help others is what ultimately led her to want to become a nurse, and help people find their path to a healthier lifestyle.
What sets Max Metabolic apart is the passion that Prendergast has to help her patients reach their ultimate goals. She acts on this passion by educating people so they understand the value of health and wellness. Once the patient understands the importance of this, they are often encouraged to spread their knowledge to others, and an increasing number of people lift each other up and help each other become – and most importantly, stay – healthy.
As technology continues to advance, Max Metabolic has taken full advantage of helping clients with virtual consultations and appointments. This allows patients to avoid coming into the clinic, whether due to illness, insecurity or time constraints. The team at Max Metabolic also offers virtual appointments on the weekends and in the evenings to provide convenience to those who work or have children.
Although Prendergast declares herself a “one-man show,” this does not stop her from providing high-quality care for her patients. In fact, her background is quite impressive. She obtained a master’s degree in nursing from Ball State University, and a bachelor’s degree in the Spanish language from Bethel University. Beyond that, she has additional training in thyroid health, weight management, hormone replacement for men and women, and functional medicine.
As the business continues to grow, Prendergast hopes to expand her services to the community and beyond. She is bilingual, making for a unique clinical setting for those who speak Spanish.
“Getting my own business up and running has been one of the hardest and most stressful things I’ve ever done, but I’m learning every day that you gain confidence and feel so empowered when you do things that scare you a little bit,” she says. “It makes it all worth it to me when I have a patient tell me they feel so much better or more confident in their skin because of my guidance.”
If you are interested in a consultation or beginning a program, call 574-301-4351 or email MintCityHealth@hush.com. For more info, go to maxmetabolicwellness.com, and you can also like and follow Mint City Health & Wellness on Facebook.
