Stepping into adulthood in 2020 meant navigating a world full of uncertainty. For Makena Doyle, it also meant questioning the traditional paths she once believed she had to follow. When she discovered Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), she found an education that helped her reconnect with her intuition, rediscover her passions, and begin building a life centered around helping others.
Today, as a graduate of the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner (IHAP) program, Makena is using the skills she developed to support families in her community while building a coaching program focused on strengthening connections between parents and children.
Searching for Direction
Makena describes her life before SWIHA as feeling stagnant and disconnected.
“My life before SWIHA was mundane. I was following paths that were forced upon me. I had no passion for my life,” she shares.
Like many young adults navigating life after graduation, Makena found herself unsure of what direction to take. She graduated from high school in 2020 at the start of the pandemic, stepping into adulthood during a time of global uncertainty.
“I was thrown into the real world without guidance,” she recalls. “Having no real direction and the stress of the world seemingly falling apart around us was a difficult experience to say the least.”
Although she enrolled in a traditional university, the experience didn’t feel aligned.
“I thought that path was the only option for me, yet after completing one year, I felt lost. I felt different from my peers.”
At the same time, Makena was navigating personal challenges, including difficult friendships and unresolved childhood trauma. Leaving a toxic relationship became a turning point that allowed her to begin rebuilding her life.
“That weight lifted off my shoulders gave me the motivation to start living authentically,” she says.
Rediscovering Her Voice
During that period of self-discovery, Makena began reconnecting with the things that brought her joy—reading, creating art, and spending time alone to reflect. Therapy also played a key role in helping her rebuild trust in her own intuition.
“Being alone allowed me a safe space to start therapy, which helped me be able to listen to my intuition without doubting myself.”
That inner work ultimately led her to SWIHA. A life coach and an acupuncturist she was working with recommended the school and introduced her to the idea of life coaching as a career path.
“I knew I wanted to help others, yet I wasn’t sure how until I learned about life coaching and SWIHA.”
Makena first enrolled in the Life Coaching program, and once she completed it, she knew she wanted to continue.
“After finishing my first program, I knew I wanted to continue my education by becoming a Healing Arts Practitioner.”
Knowing She Was on the Right Path
Sometimes the clearest confirmation that you’re on the right path comes from how life begins to feel.
For Makena, the moment of clarity came when she started to feel like herself again.
“I knew I was on the right path when I started to feel like myself again,” she asserts. “I didn’t feel like I had to fight my instincts every day.”
As she continued her studies in the IHAP program, new opportunities began appearing in her life.
“I felt I was on the right path when new opportunities were being presented to me around every corner.”
A Life That Feels Aligned
Since beginning her journey at SWIHA, Makena says her life has changed in profound ways.
“Yes, my life has significantly changed,” she explains. “I have been able to take back control over my life and have been able to help others do the same in the process.”
One of the most meaningful lessons she learned during her studies was about self-belief.
“The greatest lesson I learned at SWIHA was to put faith in myself and not let my preconceived notions about my limits hold me back.”
Her time at SWIHA also introduced her to teachers who deeply influenced her path, especially Lori Dye, whose classes on mindfulness and spiritual coaching helped shape Makena’s approach to serving others.
Supporting Families in Her Community
Today, Makena is channeling everything she learned into a new professional chapter.
She is partnering with a family member to create a visitation coaching program designed to support families in her hometown. The program will complement an existing family counseling practice and focus on helping parents strengthen relationships with their children.
“I will be helping parents create and strengthen connections with their children,” she explains.
Her goal is to help families build healthier relationships while fostering understanding, communication, and emotional connection.
For Makena, this work reflects what she discovered through her studies: that meaningful service begins with personal healing and self-awareness.
“In the process of taking each class, I learned the true meaning of serving others,” she says. “Serving others isn’t possible without making sure we are taking care of our own healing and practicing self-care.”
Advice for Future SWIHA Students
Looking back on her journey, Makena encourages future students to trust themselves and push past fear.
“My advice for future students would be not to let the fear of being seen stop you from becoming the best version of yourself.”
She also shares a message she often gives to those considering a major life change.
“If you have a dream to change your life, do it,” she says. “Before I made a change, my life felt out of control and unaligned. After taking my power back, I have been able to create the life that I always wished for.”
A Path of Healing and Gratitude
Makena describes her journey at SWIHA as “tedious and winding,” yet one that ultimately led her exactly where she needed to be.
Today, she feels confident in her direction and excited about the future.
“I am finally comfortable in my own skin with my dream job helping kids in my hometown and being an advocate in the community.”
Above all, she remains grateful for the support she received along the way.
“I would like to thank everyone at SWIHA for supporting me on this journey and for not giving up on me.”
As she continues building her coaching program and supporting families in her community, Makena’s story is a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful paths are the ones we discover by listening to our intuition—and having the courage to follow it.
