My name is Heidi. I am a full time National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach proudly serving our Veterans at the VA Medical Center in Syracuse, NY. Prior to my role as a Health Coach, I worked in the Va Medical Center Pathology Laboratory.
During undergrad, I dual majored in Chemistry and Public Justice, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry. I continued my education at Syracuse University earning a Master’s Degree in Forensic Science. I spent a decade working in a laboratory setting.
I started my personal wellness journey in 2018. I spent time independently researching every bit of health material I could get my hands on. I started working on the different aspects of my health and wellness. I lost 70 lbs, changed eating habits and started weight lifting. I continued working on other aspects including finances, spiritual wellness and personal development. I went to back to school for part time for Wellness Management and started a company helping empower women.
My personal journey set me on a new life course. My perspective, passions, priorities and goals completely changed. I essentially grew out of who I was. I have a passion for health and wellness. Helping others brings me joy and fulfillment. I truly believe in have found my life’s purpose.
I am continuously learning so I can have a well-rounded background and knowledge to help others. I have earned Certifications for Health and Wellness Coaching, Holistic Nutrition and Personal Training.
My wellness journey showed me how dedicated I am to living a healthy lifestyle. It taught me the importance of time management, consistency and balance.
Changing your life is not an overnight process. It’s all about finding out what’s important to you and why. I have struggled, I have experienced set backs and I have overcome challenges. If I can do it, so can everyone else.
We are all individuals. We have different values, strengths, goals and priorities. Something that works for one person may not work for another. The key is to just start. The rest will fall into place. I would love to hear about your journey too!
Also, check out my lifestyle blog, Passionate Pisces. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to get to know me.
Credentials
Education & Certifications
Health &Wellness COACHING CERTIFICATION
The National Board Certification for Health and Wellness Coaching provided several important coaching tools to make the coaching experience positive and the most beneficial as possible for clients. Understanding the Theories of Behavior Change and the Stages of Coaching has laid the foundation for a successful outcome for clients. My experience working full-time as a Health and Wellness Coach at the VA Medical Center has given me unique experience with several types of diseases and many different focus areas of health and life.
biofeedback:HeartMath INTERVENTIONS certification
The HeartMath Certification provided understanding about how different patterns of heart activity have different effects on a persons thoughts and behaviors. It gave me an understanding of how depleting emotions like anger, frustration, and anxiety can lead to disorder in the nervous system. Whereas, renewing emotions like care, kindness and appreciation creates order which leads to mental clarity, creativity, and resiliency. It also gave me tools to measure heart rate variability and measure coherence as well as multiple techniques to improve health and emotional wellness.
Guided Imagery certification
This certification provided information on types, uses, indications and contraindications, the supporting science behind the practice, and implementation of Guided Imagery. Topics also included the differences between Receptive, Active, Concrete and Fantasy types of Guided Imagery as well as the differences between a scripted and interactive sessions. The course also provided detailed information pertaining to the role of neuroplasticity in Guided Imagery through exploration of the theoretical model of “brain smudging” and understanding the phases of Graded Motor Imagery (GMI) in rehabilitation. The course also included how to record and write a script with information for individual and group Guided Imagery.
Personal Training Certification
The certification for Personal Training provided knowledge, skills and abilities to design and execute safe and effective fitness programs. It increased understanding of energy systems within the body and the ability to relate fitness with nutrition on a deeper level.
Sound Healing Certification
This course provided information pertaining to types of instruments, energy healing, voice therapy, benefits of sound healing, Science and Quantum Theory and other scientific background for sound healing. The course also offered information on leading individual and group sound healing sessions as well as sound healing for animals.
Holistic Nutrition Certification
This education provided knowledge needed to help others manage their chronic diseases and optimize their personal health. It provided in depth knowledge of functional foods, botanicals, supplements, nutrition in all life cycles, eating disorders, weight management, bone health, planning and implementing a nutrition care plan.
Master of Science in Forensic Science
Although Forensic Science means “The application of scientific methods to criminal cases”, there are many valuable concepts that relate to nutrition. Toxicology, the knowledge and understanding of metabolism in particular is important relating to nutrition. It helps to understand food composition (proteins, carbohydrates, minerals etc.), nutrition values, metabolism and biomechanics mechanisms taking place in our bodies. Also, understanding of research methods, how to conduct research and how to gage validity of scientific studies which is extremely important when it comes to the science behind nutrition studies.
Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry
The knowledge of Chemistry is important in nutrition and dietetics. Understanding scientific structures, properties and reactions of compounds is important when discussing metabolism. Much of what we know about nutrition is linked to Chemistry.
Reiki I, Reki II, and Reiki Master level
Reiki certification courses gave me a solid understanding of the foundation of energy healing, how to balance and heal by channeling the life force energy that runs through all living things. It also gave me the tools to teach others Reiki.
