The doctor was grinning when he entered the room. He shook our hands and looked at Tom. “How are you feeling?”, he asked with a big smile. “I feel great”, Tom replied. “Well your scan looked good”, said the doctor.
I didn’t realize I had been holding my breath until that moment. Follow up tests are nerve racking after dealing with a major health issue. Even though you feel good and check in with your body there is still some anxiety over test results.
Tom told the doctor that he is back to his pre-diagnosis workout routine and he can do everything he used to do. He admits that he gets a little winded when he works too hard. The doctor explains that there is likely permanent damage to the lung from radiation so just getting a little winded is impressive.
The doctor wanted to know why Tom was doing so much better recovering than most of his patients. He asked questions and seemed genuinely interested in the answers. Some of the practices Tom used were recognizable to the doctor but others required explanation.
Then Tom summed it up in one word, “Lifestyle. I’ve been on a holistic wellness journey for over 20 years, ever since my wife started learning about herbs. Being healthy is important to me. I was in good health when I got diagnosed and all during treatment I did as much as I could to keep up a healthy lifestyle. It was hard sometimes, but for every destructive thing that had to be done to eradicate the cancer we balanced it with a holistic therapy.”
Here are just a few of the holistic therapies we used:
- Clean eating
- Green drinks
- Energy medicine
- CBD & medical marijuana
- Mindfulness & meditation
- Bodywork
- Castor oil packs
- Skin brushing
- Aromatherapy
- Herbal medicines
- Visualization
Tom looked at me and smiled, “I also had a wellness coach by my side. There is no way I could have done this on my own. I am grateful to have Dr. Melanie.”
I think I blushed a little at his compliment. His treatment and recovery had definitely been a hard road and there were times I was scared, but his words rang true. His determination and my knowledge had worked together for a positive outcome.
When I took that first herb class I never envisioned it would lead to a doctorate in naturopathic health and a career as a wellness coach. Helping my clients, and Tom, create personal wellness has been rewarding and life changing.
What is a wellness coach?
Wellness coaches help clients make positive and lasting changes to their health and wellbeing. They are health professionals that guide you along the path to mental, physical and emotional health. A wellness coach provides support and inspiration to continue moving forward in preventing disease or living healthier with a current health related issue.
A wellness coach is there even when you feel ready to quit. It is a partnership that is often much deeper than what you are used to with western medicine.
I personally help my clients with:
- Stress management
- Prioritizing self care
- Digestive health
- Staying healthy during conventional medical treatments
- Maintaining positive and healthy habits
- Balancing wellness and a busy schedule
Research has shown that working with a wellness coach can have a positive impact on a person’s behavior and contribute to healthier outcomes. More than just diet and exercise, wellness coaching is a wonderful journey that helps you look toward the future.
How does wellness coaching work?
Working with a wellness coach starts with an overall assessment. We assess your current health and wellness, diet, lifestyle and mindset. You decide what is most important for you. We set goals, prioritize what matters and plan the follow through.
You will learn, grow and develop confidence in your ability to make changes and create new health habits. The goals may be challenging but they won’t be overwhelming because I will be right there by your side.
What others are saying about wellness coaching with Dr. Melanie:
A recent dressing down I received from our family physician about my blood pressure and cholesterol levels sent me into a panic. At my next appointment, Dr. Melanie was able to talk me off the ceiling not by contradicting the family doc but by putting a different spin on what he was telling me. Yes, the numbers were a wake-up call, she agreed, but how I responded to the call was up to me. She reminded me that diet and exercise had worked in the past and were likely to work again. She also assured me that I didn’t have to buy into his dire prediction that I’d be taking cholesterol and blood pressure medication for the rest of my life. As a result, I am making lifestyle changes from a happy place, not out of fear. Thanks Dr. Melanie!
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Could you benefit from wellness coaching?
If you have ever tried to do any personal growth work you know how difficult it can be to see your own shortcomings. The same is true for your own health and wellness. Sometimes you need a little help to get you started down the path to wholeness.
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
- Do you want to make healthy changes to your lifestyle but don’t know where to start?
- Are you low on energy and motivation?
- Do you need to overhaul your eating patterns or make mindfulness a part of your day?
- Do you know that you are under stress but don’t know what to do about it?
- Do you find it difficult to prioritize your health?
- Do you struggle with work life balance?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then wellness coaching would be a great option for you. Investing in your health and wellness now will reap benefits long into the future.
If you would like to explore what wellness coaching can do for you CLICK HERE to schedule a FREE Discovery Call with Dr. Melanie!
Don’t let location hold you back. We can work together in person, by phone or zoom. Schedule your Discovery Call today so you can get started on the path to wellness!