Have you ever had one of those days when you thought to yourself, “I don’t think I’m going to make it?” I know I have. I will never forget that December day in 2011.
Hi! I’m Paul and, no, I have not always been interested, enthusiastic or passionate about health and wellness. It wasn’t until an actual “life changing event” took place.
It was after Christmas – December 30th, 2011 to be exact. I was at work and wasn’t feeling so well and my wife finally convinced me to make an appointment with a doctor. Rather reluctantly, I went to the walk in clinic that day. After almost 3 hours at that office with no diagnosis and feeling worse as more time went by my wife decided that we would go to the emergency room. I agreed since, by that time, I was doubled over in so much pain. Once at the hospital emergency room and as my wife was checking me in there was a scurry at a nearby door that piqued my interest. Doors flew open, several nurses and doctors flocked around me. I was whisked away. Clothes came off, orders were being barked, wires went on and needles went in! They said I was having a heart attack! Later I found out it was a “widow-maker” and after I heard that I thought, “I don’t think I’m going to make it!” I was only 41 years old.
My stay at the hospital was okay and the many doctors and nurses who looked after me took great care of me. I was diagnosed with heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. I was told that I needed to change my diet and get some exercise. I was alive but wasn’t left with much practical information on how to change my lifestyle, especially when I left the controlled environment of the hospital. Some nurses and doctors spoke to me about exercise and diet. I was given a brief consult with a nutritionist (it seemed literally like 8 minutes but may have actually been longer) and was told to be within different levels of fat, fiber, sodium, cholesterol, etc. but no REAL (practical) way to make it all fit together. Oh, and I was handed information on several different diets – like the diabetes diet, Mediterranean, and some others that I don’t recall. Then I was sent out on my own. “I don’t think I’m going to make it,” I thought to myself.
I managed to limp along on my own for a while with the help of my wife who was forever in the kitchen or at the grocery store. She helped so much by being patient with me as I read the nutritional labels in the store, pored over magazines and books for recipes and prepared nearly all the food for our family. We were researching online, in books and asking others for their opinions – and eventually became quite successful through lots of trial and error. My whole family has made incredible strides with personal health without much outside assistance. It was really, incredibly tough figuring all of this out on our own. We did it though and now are stronger for it. I think I’m GOING to make it!
I started seeing the results of the healthier lifestyle choices I was making. I have lost over 40 pounds and continue to exercise regularly. I pursue an interest in a healthier lifestyle. I read or watch or hear something about health, wellness and fitness nearly every single day. Being healthy is truly important to me and is the best thing I can do for myself and my family. Now I am interested, enthusiastic and passionate about health and wellness! It has become much more than “diet and exercise” for me. It has become a lifestyle.
In 2015 a friend of mine, who is a professor at Baylor University, knew my story asked me to come speak to his students in a class he was teaching. He thought that my testimony would be great as they were covering nutrition and effects of sedentary lifestyles. I agreed to go and speak and it was very inspiring – for me! That single day made me rethink my profession and I decided to change my 25 plus years of retail in for the opportunity to help others. I became a Certified Health Coach through the Dr. Sears Wellness Institute and am working to become certified as a Fitness Trainer. I want to help those that think the aren’t going to make it. I know it is possible – most of us just need a little help. I want to help.
As a Certified Health Coach I use a combination of my life experiences, including the heart attack, the Dr. Sears Wellness Institute L.E.A.N Program and the Prime Time Health Program. The L.E.A.N Program places emphasis on young adults, and those with children under age 12 while the Prime Time Health Program focuses on those adults older than that. I offer both of these fun, scientific, interactive programs through hands-on workshops, individual consultations, group lectures and online. In addition, the programs can be contoured to fit the individual needs of the client(s).
Here are some “after” heart attack and lifestyle change pictures.
Every initial coaching session begins with a questionnaire to help better assess the needs, what the client is expecting and what they may or may not already know. During each session I ask what went well and what they may need help with.
The first lesson is usually to explain better nutritional choices using the “traffic light” system and how the foods we eat affect many parts of the body, including being fit.
Participants also learn:
- Which type of fat our bodies need most
- Easy label reading techniques
- How to make easy and delicious food
- Shopping habits
- Recipes that make nutrition easy and fun
- and much, much more
My approach is to educate and support. There is no expectation that tomorrow all the necessary changes will be made – just continue making consistent small changes with the advantage of my support and experience.
