At the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), we believe that the soul speaks loudest when life grows quiet—and often, it’s in the stillness of our struggles that we hear the sacred call to awaken. For Anne Harney, that call came during a season of deep emotional exhaustion, standing at the edge of burnout after years of selfless service in special education. What felt like a breaking point became a breakthrough—a divine invitation to return to her true self. Guided by intuition and the desire to live with greater alignment, Anne stepped onto the path of holistic healing, where purpose and passion are no longer just dreams; they become daily practices.
Anne is currently enrolled in SWIHA’s Holistic Health and Wellness Coaching program with concentrations in Holistic Nutrition and Mindful Meditation Facilitation. What brought her here wasn’t just a desire for professional development—it was a deep yearning to reconnect with her purpose.
“I was a full-time teacher on the brink of burnout,” Anne shares. “I knew I had to find something more to embrace my passions and live more aligned with my purpose.”
Through SWIHA, Anne found more than just a curriculum—she found a community that empowered her to face her fears and lean into her passions. “I knew I was on the right path when I started to feel excited to learn again,” she says. As she rekindled her love for fitness and yoga, new opportunities organically unfolded, guiding her back into the wellness world as an instructor and soon-to-be coach.
Each step in her journey brought her closer to her vision: building Starfly Coaching, a holistic coaching practice designed to support individuals—especially educators and professionals struggling with burnout—in aligning with their passions and purpose. Drawing from over a decade of experience in education, Anne is weaving together the threads of her life to offer client-centered wellness coaching, yoga, and group facilitation.
“I don’t want others to feel the way I once did,” she explains. “That’s what inspired me to create a business rooted in empathy and education.”
Anne credits much of her growth to the powerful mentorship she received at SWIHA. Teachers like Jacqueline Leone, Susanne Thomas, Sharlene Nordquist, Kendall Hassemer, Lori Dye, Gisele Marasca, and Herbert Bell helped her face fears, build practical skills, and cultivate confidence. Whether it was being pushed to record videos, fine-tune emotional regulation techniques, or dive deep into the world of entrepreneurship, Anne rose to the challenge.
“SWIHA taught me that staying stuck can be just as scary as change,” she reflects. “The greatest lesson I’ve learned is to work through my fears and embrace the process of becoming.”
Her life today is a vibrant blend of teaching, coaching, and fitness instruction. She works full-time as a K-8 STEM teacher while teaching yoga, Lagree, and water-rower-based HIIT classes. Through it all, she continues to shape her business with intentionality and heart, combining her unique talents into a wellness offering that’s both impactful and deeply personal.
For future SWIHA students, Anne offers this advice:
“Figure out a routine that works for you—and be willing to tweak it as you grow. Practice what you learn on yourself, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. The work is worth it.”
Anne’s story is a powerful reminder that transformation begins when we answer the call to align with our truth. Through courage, vulnerability, and the support of the SWIHA community, Anne turned her emotional low into a launching point—and in doing so, became a beacon of light for others seeking their own way forward.
As she beautifully puts it, “I began this program navigating an emotional ‘rock bottom,’ and have gained so much clarity along the way. I’ve pulled myself out of the abyss, and now I’m using my experiences to help others on their journey.”
And that is the true essence of healing—turning our pain into purpose, and our passion into service.
Connect with Anne Harney
Website: https://starflycoaching.my.canva.site/
Instagram: @starfly_coaching
