Health & Wellness
Health and wellness coaching is a process that empowers individuals to achieve their health goals by providing them with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to make sustainable lifestyle changes. This approach focuses on addressing all aspects of a person's wellbeing, including physical, emotional, and social factors, to promote overall health and wellness.
Wellness can be defined as a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing, not merely the absence of disease. Health refers to the absence of illness or disease and the presence of physical, mental, and social wellbeing.
A holistic approach to health is important because it takes into account the interconnectedness of all aspects of a person's life. By addressing physical, emotional, and social factors, holistic approaches prioritize the whole person, not just the symptoms.
Natural solutions are important because they minimize side effects and promote long-term health.
Many ancient traditions, such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, have utilized natural remedies for centuries. These practices can provide valuable insights for modern-day health coaching, as they often focus on the root cause of illness rather than just treating the symptoms.
In summary, health and wellness coaching is a holistic approach to promoting overall wellbeing by addressing physical, emotional, and social factors. By utilizing natural solutions and incorporating ancient traditions, individuals can achieve sustainable lifestyle changes and improve their health in the long-term.
From The Experts
“TCM emphasizes an integrated approach to wellness that harmonizes the body’s vital energies. By incorporating practices such as acupuncture, herbal remedies, nutrition, and meditation, it promotes balance and vitality, addressing physical ailments and nurturing mental and emotional well-being, making it a valuable complement to modern healthcare.”
Hillary's Approach
Hillary has fined tuned her wellness coaching approach to empowering her clients to step into the lives they have dreamed about creating. She teaches them how to manage their emotions with mind management tools learned through her credentialing from the Life Coach School (Jan 2021), the wisdom she sought from her accomplished meditation teachers and her 15 years of experience as a healthcare provider. Her approach to wellness is truly mind, body and spirit whether she is coaching someone on their fertility journey, through a difficult diagnosis, or helping them to simply transition into the person they have always dreamed of being.
Personalized Wellness Treatment Plans
The approach to wellness and holistic health looks different for everyone as each person has unique physical, emotional, and social needs. Some clients simply want a second opinion on their diagnosis and treatment plan for any areas that may have been overlooked when it comes to lifestyle changes they are in control of, and others require ongoing support and accountability. We discuss your goals during your first session and come up with a plan that best supports the individual in front of us.
What to Expect During Your Visit
You will be sent a questionnaire to complete before your virtual session that consists of a health history and questions about what you would like to get out of our time together. This allows us to make the most of our initial hour visit, where Hillary will offer suggestions that could include further functional medicine testing, vitamin or herbal supplements, nutritional plans, mindfulness techniques or self coaching techniques to balance the mind and body.
Types of Wellness Coaching Sessions
If you are a fertility patient interested in learning more about Hillary’s wellness coaching philosophy you can learn more here. Book your free consult today and let her show you your mind and the crucial role it plays in how you feel on your journey to wellness.
Nutrition
Nutrition coaching and food therapy helps individuals optimize their health through personalized nutrition plans and education. Nutrition plays a crucial role in overall wellness and optimal health, impacting not just physical health, but mental wellbeing as well.
Chinese food therapy is a concept that has been in use for thousands of years, using specific foods to heal patterns of imbalance. We have taken this concept and distilled it down into our easy to use Food as Medicine and Recipes for a Fertile You programs. These programs include an assessment of the imbalances and months of recipes for two, complete with weekly shopping lists. We include education on how and why to avoid GMO foods and pesticides to ensure you are eating the healthiest meals possible. And we have aimed to make it as easy as possible to follow so it’s one less thing to make a decision about after a long day of work.
Zero Balancing
Zero Balancing is a type of bodywork that aims to balance the body’s energy flow and structure. The goals of this therapy include reducing stress, improving posture and balance, and promoting a sense of wellbeing. Zero Balancing is performed through gentle touch and traction to specific points and joints in the body, with the client typically lying on a massage table fully clothed, making it the perfect choice for shy individuals or those that are weary of needles. Zero Balancing can be extremely helpful for those that are in active therapy for PTSD or who have seemingly hit a plateau in their wellness goals. By addressing both the physical and energetic aspects of the body, Zero Balancing can help individuals achieve a deeper state of relaxation and enhance their body’s natural healing abilities.
Kecia Fowler, DOM LMT has been a practitioner of Zero Balancing for over a decade and loves introducing people to this adjunct therapy to take their wellbeing to the next level.
Meditation
Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years, originating in ancient cultures such as India and China. The goals of meditation include reducing stress and anxiety, improving focus and concentration and increasing self-awareness. Regular meditation can lead to mental benefits such as improved mood, reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, and increased resilience to stress. In one study by UMass General participants of an 8 week mindfulness program where they practiced 20 minutes a day, participants brain’s on MRI scans showed gray matter of the brain had reshaped itself, specifically in the areas of the hypothalamus and amygdala. This equated to better memory, improved decision making, and more appropriate emotional responses to everyday life stressors. Participants reported better quality of life and relationships to themselves and others.
Hillary, Emily, and Kecia are all trained in teaching various meditation techniques and often combine meditation with their acupuncture treatments with clients that need an extra tool to moderate their nervous systems or who ask. We find meditation drastically speeds up the healing process and allows the client to have more self compassion with their bodies during times of illness or high stress phases of life.
Fertility Coaching
Fertility coaching is a specialized field that provides support and guidance to individuals and couples who are trying to conceive. This type of coaching includes a range of services such as education on fertility, lab testing if needed, nutrition and lifestyle changes that are supported by the current body of scientific literature, emotional support that focuses on your current situation and desired outcomes, and stress management techniques like meditation and how to coach yourself through difficult decisions.
The goal of fertility coaching is to help clients optimize their chances of conceiving naturally or through assisted reproductive technologies while also promoting overall health and wellbeing. We think of fertility coaching as a way to protect your time, your relationships, and your financial investments if you have decided to include procedures like IVF or IUI. She blends her clinical knowledge obtained from working with thousands of couples with meditation and life coaching techniques she has been using in her own life for over a decade to help her clients reach an elevated place of living during what could be one of the most stressful phases of a couples life. She utilizes these tools both in person and virtually in her group coaching program, Conscious Conceptions.
Wellness & Health Coaching at AoA
We view health and wellness as a human right, not a privilege. It’s part of why each of our practitioners got into this field- to educate as many humans as possible on how to take care of their body and their families so that they could thrive instead of simply surviving.
One could say that Chinese Medicine practitioners were the original health coaches, because they taught their clients how to live in harmony with the environment and the seasons for optimal health and longevity. This is exactly what we educate our clients on in the treatment room, through our virtual wellness programs, and on our social media channels. Chinese food therapy is a cornerstone of the medicine, placing the power of healing back into the hands of the individual.
We currently offer nutritional programs (Food as Medicine & Recipes for a Fertile You) and a group fertility coaching program, Conscious Conceptions. Our entire aim with these programs is to empower our clients to be an active part in their healing and in the case of infertility to enhance the health of their families two generations at a time. We love that we can blend ancient wisdom with the current scientific literature in a virtual package so that our clients can consume and embody this rich information on their schedule with optimal health and fertility outcomes. We think it is one of the things that sets our clinic apart from our competitors.
What Our Clients Say
“The first hour meeting with Hillary, I learned more about my cycles, what I could do to rebalance them, and what was within my control that would actually move my fertility forward naturally than I have learned in months at doctors appointments and late night googling. For the first time since setting out to start a family 2 years ago, I am excited to try to conceive because I feel like a have an actual plan that is doable and I know what to look for and where to go if I feel off track.”
“Absolutely LOVE Art of Acupuncture! I’ve been seeing Hillary since trying for my first baby (who is now 4.5 years old) over five years ago. She is amazing at everything and has helped me with everything from fertility, to knee pain with running, anxiety and more. Highly highly recommend them to everyone no matter what you would go for!”
Contributions to Health
While good health is a desirable state, great health and vitality is an optimal state of physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Achieving great health requires a holistic approach, which includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management techniques that are utilized regularly, quality sleep and rich social connections. Other contributing factors to overall health and wellbeing include access to healthcare and health education, environmental factors, and genetics, or what we call Jing in Chinese Medicine.
We know that prioritizing self-care and making healthy lifestyle choices can lead to a better quality of life, however, we also understand that many Americans have been socialized to put their health last in the name of achieving more. We understand that bad habits can feel difficult to break, which is why we pride ourselves on meeting the individual where they are at in life and guiding them to sustainable changes through a series of small wins until they get to a desired level of health and wellness. It is our mission for all of our clients to feel seen and heard in a non-judgemental way and to develop and carry out individualized plans of care that the client feels are doable, and that they are an active participant in, so that hold they hold the power of their health accomplishments rather than outsourcing them to someone or something external.
Physical Stress & Fitness
Movement is a crucial aspect of physical and mental wellbeing, promoting circulation, reducing stress, and enhancing mood. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the concept of Qi stagnation refers to the blockage of the body’s energy flow, leading to various health issues. Movement, in the form of exercise or other physical activities, can help promote the flow of Qi and prevent stagnation.
All exercise is not created equal and contrary to popular cultural beliefs, more intense workouts are not necessarily healthier for everyone at every stage in their life. We help individuals identify and implement movement practices that are best suited for their unique needs, injury history, and current energetic capacity. This approach will differ for everyone as each person’s body and lifestyle are unique to them.
Mental & Emotional Stress
Common stressors that can impact our mental and emotional health include work-related stress, financial issues, relationship problems, health concerns or diagnosis like cancer or infertility, and major life transitions. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), we believe that over time these stressors affect our Shen, or what a westerner might describe as our spirit or how we show up to life. Chronic stressors, or shen disturbance can lead to a range of mental and physical ailments, making stress reduction techniques like meditation or self coaching imperative tools on the journey back to wellness. Developing a personalized stress management plan can help individuals identify and address the stressors in their life and improve their overall mental and emotional wellbeing.
Environmental Stress
Learning how to approach environmental stimuli with a response that is not mentally or physically harmful to your wellbeing is critical. We live in a time with more stimuli and change than humans have historically experienced. That alone can be stressful to the human brain which is why we teach all of our clients stress management tools so that they can learn how to anticipate stressful situations beforehand and decide ahead of time how they want to respond to them. This greatly reduces the number of stress responses our clients have which in turn enhances their health and wellness outside of the treatment room. We do this by teaching mindfulness practices, relaxation techniques, and connecting deeply with all of our clients to foster social support and connection, which is one of the most forgotten tenants of wellness.
Nutrition & Medicinal
What we put in and on our bodies can have a significant impact on our overall holistic health, including physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. Food and drink are the building blocks of our body, providing the essential nutrients needed for optimal functioning and wellbeing. A balanced and healthy diet can help prevent chronic diseases, maintain a healthy weight, and improve our mood and energy levels so you can live the life you have always dreamed of.
Personal care products from makeup to household cleaners can also have an impact upon our health, specifically how our hormonal and immune systems function. The average woman applies 12 different products to her body daily that are composed of 168 different chemicals.
Rx medicines and OTC supplements can also have a profound impact on our health. While prescriptions can be life saving, they can also cause other unwanted side effects like gut permeability and unwanted symptoms. It is important to discuss your overall wellness goals with your prescribing medical provider when making the calculated decision to begin or continue taking prescription or over the counter meds.
Just because herbs and vitamins are natural doesn’t mean that they are immune to causing unwanted side effects. That is why we strongly believe your herbs should be prescribed by a practitioner that has years of training on how herbs interact with each other and prescription meds. All of our providers are board certified herbalists and take a less is more approach when introducing new herbal prescriptions, carefully weighing any risks and discussing them with our clients.
Sleep & Self Care
Sleep is a crucial aspect of maintaining good physical and mental health. It is during sleep that the body repairs and restores itself, including the brain, which helps with cognitive function, mood, and memory. Lack of sleep can result in a variety of negative effects, including low energy levels, mood swings, decreased ability to concentrate, and decreased ability to heal.
In addition to getting adequate sleep, practicing self-care can also help improve energy levels and sense of well-being. Exercise, not eating 3 hours before bed, limiting alcohol, acupuncture, journaling, meditation, and learning how to invoke a sense of purpose to our lives are all things we recommend regularly. If those modifications don’t work, then we can talk about herbal formulas for sleep or supplements like melatonin to bridge the gap until deep sleep becomes easy.
Mindfulness
Practicing mindfulness, or the act of being fully present and engaged in the present moment with a non-judgemental awareness of one’s thoughts & feelings, has been shown to have numerous benefits for mental health and overall wellbeing. Here are some of the ways that mindfulness can positively impact your life:
Reduced stress and anxiety: Mindfulness practices, such as deep breathing and body scanning, can help you become more aware of your thoughts and emotions. This awareness can help you identify when you are feeling stressed or anxious and enable you to take steps to calm yourself down.
Improved focus and concentration: By training your mind to stay present in the moment, you can increase your ability to concentrate and focus on tasks. This can help you be more productive and efficient in your work and personal life.
Enhanced self-awareness: Mindfulness can help you become more aware of your own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This self-awareness can help you identify patterns of thought or behavior that may be holding you back from achieving your goals.
Improved relationships: By being fully present and engaged in your interactions with others, you can improve the quality of your relationships. Mindfulness can help you listen more attentively, communicate more clearly, and be more empathetic and understanding towards others.
Increased resilience: Mindfulness can help you develop a greater sense of resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges and adversity. By learning to be present with difficult emotions and experiences, you can build the strength to cope with whatever life throws your way.
Overall, incorporating mindfulness practices into your daily life can have significant benefits for your mental health and wellbeing. Whether you practice formal meditation or simply take a few moments each day to breathe and be present, the act of focusing your attention on the present moment can have a profound impact on your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Wellness coaching is a form of coaching that focuses on supporting individuals in achieving their goals related to health and well-being. It involves a collaborative and individualized approach to create a personalized plan for each client, taking into account their unique needs and circumstances, and providing guidance and support to help them achieve their goals.
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Ideally a great wellness coach will have a background in medicine and/or teaching so that they can break down complex medical conditions and treatments in easy to understand ways for the client. They are empathetic, listen deeply, and most importantly ask good questions so that they fully understand the breadth of the client’s circumstance, goals, and health history. They are non-judgmental and help the client to be less hard on themselves emphasizing a progress over perfection approach when helping to create lasting and sustainable change in the client’s life.
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Life coaching and wellness coaching are both forms of coaching that aim to help individuals achieve their goals and improve their quality of life, but they differ in their focus and scope.
Life coaching is a broader form of coaching that addresses a wide range of life-related issues, such as career, relationships, personal development, and goal-setting. Life coaches work with clients to identify their values, strengths, and goals, and develop a plan to achieve those goals. Life coaching is often focused on personal growth and self-improvement.
Wellness coaching, on the other hand, focuses specifically on improving an individual's physical and mental health and well-being. Wellness coaches work with clients to develop strategies to improve their nutrition, exercise, stress management, sleep habits, and other lifestyle factors that impact their overall health. Wellness coaching may also include addressing specific health conditions or concerns, such as managing chronic illness or developing healthy habits after a major life change.
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Yes! With the advent of the internet it can be easy to simply look up what one needs to do to achieve certain health outcomes, however, too much information can sometimes lead to analysis paralysis. A good wellness coach will lead you to the interventions that produce the highest ROI for your unique situation and help hold you accountable along the way.
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The specific credentials for wellness coaches vary from place to place. In our opinion, a wellness coach should hold a combination of education, training, and experience in the field of health and wellness. Hillary blends her 14 years of clinical experience with a life coaching certification from the Life Coach School to include a mind-body approach to wellness for each of her clients.
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Typically they last 45-60 minutes. Ongoing accountability through email may be offered as well to help keep the client on track.
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How many coaching sessions a person will need is unique to the person and what their goals are. Some clients get tremendous benefit from just one session. Others prefer to have ongoing support with an average of 6 sessions spread out over a season. For more chronic issues like infertility, we created the Conscious Conceptions Coaching program that gives you lifetime access, because simply getting pregnant isn’t the end of the journey.
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One session includes an hour intake and question process that is conducted virtually, herbal and supplement recommendations through our fullscript dispensary with a 20% discount and a week of email communication pertaining to your goals. Packages are available for those that desire ongoing support.
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Therapy and coaching are two distinct modalities that differ in their focus, goals, and approach. Therapy typically involves a licensed mental health professional who helps clients address and heal from emotional or psychological issues, such as depression, anxiety, or trauma. Therapy often involves exploring past experiences and traumas to uncover underlying issues and patterns.
Coaching, on the other hand, focuses on helping clients identify and achieve wellness goals such as relationship enhancement to self or others through the power of small everyday choices, lifestyle changes to enhance health, or ways to alchemize diagnosis of complex health issues, like infertility, into tools of transformation that empower the individual.
Contact Us
OUR OFFICE: 2941 5th Avenue North St. Petersburg, FL 33713
HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday — Thursday: 8:30am — 6:30pm & Friday — Saturday: 9:00am — 5:00pm
EMAIL US: Join our community today. Ask a question, send us a testimonial or just let us know you are interested in learning more by filling out the form below. Our terrific front office staff or one of our practitioners will be happy to help!
