Discovering Your Path to Wellness: Finding the Right Support
Many women wonder: when is the right time to connect with a functional health practitioner or a health coach? The truth is, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Each journey is unique, and shaped by individual needs and experiences. It's all about finding the right fit for you.
In my practice, I encounter women seeking support for two main reasons. Firstly, there are those who've reached a breaking point. Whether their symptoms have become unbearable or they've exhausted traditional medical options without relief, they come to me with a sense of determination. Frequently, these women express feeling trapped in a cycle likened to a hamster wheel or a game of whack-a-mole with their symptoms. Many share stories of feeling overlooked and dismissed by conventional doctors. I often reassure them that their feelings are valid and emphasize that seeking support from me indicates that their situation may not be urgent enough to warrant immediate attention from a doctor, which ultimately is a good thing. Doctors do incredible work, but they're often stretched thin. They do not always have the time to delve into the root causes of issues like bloating, acne, or fatigue. Yet, our admiration for doctors lies in their ability to genuinely intervene and save lives at crucial times.
Then some simply want to ensure their health is on track. Maybe these women have been inspired by friends, podcasts or books, or they just have a nagging feeling that there's more they could be doing. These women may either feel fine, unaware that their symptoms are common but not normal, or they may be actively seeking to build resilience and strength to safeguard themselves from the potential hazards of our society They might not have any major concerns, but they're curious about optimizing their well-being and building resilience.
The next step is to ask yourself: what are your goals? It's not just a rhetorical question; it's about looking deep within and understanding what you truly need. Do you require extensive testing, supplements, and dietary changes? Do you simply need someone to hold you accountable and offer guidance? Have you considered your relationship with yourself? These are crucial considerations needed before embarking on your search for a practitioner.
By asking these questions, you can better identify the right support system for your journey. For those looking to lay a strong foundation of health, set achievable goals, and foster a deeper connection with their bodies, a health coach might be the perfect fit. These programs focus on creating North Stars, providing support, and guidance towards sustainable lifestyle and behavior changes.
If you feel you've already built a solid foundation or have been working on it independently, you might be ready to delve deeper with a functional practitioner, like a naturopathic doctor. These professionals conduct thorough assessments, run comprehensive tests, and develop personalized protocols to address various aspects of health. They are fairly hands-off so ensuring you feel confident to lead your health journey is key.
Ideally, finding a program that combines both functional health expertise and coaching support offers the best of both worlds. With ongoing support and personalized protocols, you can truly optimize your health. The success of combining these two is why I founded LIVE BIG. A practice where I’ve seen incredible success in helping women achieve their health goals through a holistic approach with continuous support tailored to each woman’s individual needs.
With support,
Isabella
