When I was a kid, I didn’t really have an idea of what was healthy and what wasn’t. I grew up in the 90’s. I had gushers or a fruit roll up in my lunch every day. Little Debbie filled our pantry and kool aid was my drink of choice. My mom made sure to create our dinners around a protein and vegetable, but other than that we didn’t talk about nutrition. It was all pretty normal for those days. So how did I get into health coaching?
D.A.R.E. To Drive Parents Crazy
Fast forward to 5th grade when the DARE program came to my school. That was the beginning of my obsession with making good and healthy choices. For those of you that didn’t win Vipers tickets from participating in DARE, it is a program aimed at children to discourage cigarette, drug, and alcohol use. And damn did those black lung pictures sear right into my brain. Unfortunately for my parents, my new found information became a barrage of personal attacks for their smoking and drinking habits.
I became obsessed with getting them to stop smoking and drinking. The truth was that I was scared their habits would lead to a short and sick life. I loved them and needed them, so I did everything I could do. Which, as a 10 year old kid, meant annoying the shit out of them and telling them what they were doing was killing them. For reasons that I couldn’t comprehend as a child, they continued drinking alcohol and smoking.
The Real Motivation Then and Now
So when I start to dig around in WHY I do the work I do in health coaching and massage therapy, this DARE story comes to mind first. With it, I can uncover the true reason I am here to serve people’s health and wellness is that I am a sensitive person. The same way I couldn’t bear the thought of anything bad happening to my parents, because it would just be so painful, is the same energy I bring into my work. It hurts my heart to see people sick or suffering. So I can use the sensitivity as a strength and help guide people toward health, wellness, and happiness.
Now, over the last several years I’ve had to unwind some distorted thoughts and dysfunctional ideas. Codependency and martyr patterns run deep over here. Turns out, I can’t actually save anyone and true service comes from a consensual and cooperative partnership not just telling people what they are doing is wrong and I know better. Pretty obvious now that I say it like that. Yet, I still catch myself in a superiority complex sometimes. However, my health coaching work has actually been the greatest factor in building my compassion and learning to listen instead of lecture.
Servant Heart Meets Purpose
I work in this field, because my heart is big and wide open. The work I do serves people’s highest self and human self at the same time.
My parents quit smoking 2 years ago. Because they wanted to and they were ready. Not because I harassed them or told them to. I am just realizing as I wrap up this writing that I needed that experience to get me here. And here is exactly where I am supposed to be and the work I am meant to be doing. I work as a health coach because I care and want the best for everyone.
What Does This Mean For You?
It means that when you come to work with me, you get someone who takes your needs, goals, motivations, and values into consideration. I will never try to fit you into a plan or dictate what you should be doing. The biggest thing of all is that I truly care for you and want to do what is in your best and highest good. If you are ready for a partnership like that and to take your health, wellness, and happiness to the next level. Fill out this survey to get started.
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