SWIHA Blog

“I have grown in more ways than one, I have a new appreciation for my life and my experiences. I am forever grateful for the SWIHA community,” Rocio Castellanos, a graduate of the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner diploma, program tells us, “Even though I was an online student I felt I was always ‘there’.”

Prior to her journey at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, Rocio had worked in the healthcare field for twelve years as a Respiratory Therapist. “I have to say that I wish I had had this training when I was working in the medical field because it would have helped me be of better service to my patients,” she discloses, “Not that I wasn't, however, I know the skills I now have would have benefitted my patients even more.”

“I have always had a passion for mind-body health,” McCall Brown tells us, “I found myself studying and talking about it to friends and family all of the time, so I thought: ‘why don't I become a coach and help others find greater health and happiness?’”

McCall brings that level of self-actualization and merges it with her knowledge of Guided Imagery, Holistic Nutrition and spiritual psychology to help clients step in to their best self through her business, Beautifully Balanced by McCall! She has fully embraced the title of Intuitive Mind Body Wellness and Emotion Code Practitioner.

“I grew up in steak and potato country. My close friends can confirm that I never ate a vegetable,” says Amanda Webster, a graduate of the Mind Body Wellness Practitioner program  “Not surprisingly, I was plagued with symptoms of depression and anxiety and had trouble coping with life.”

During her first month at SWIHA, Amanda recalls sitting in Dr. Mahdi's classes wondering "What the heck is the picture on the screen?"

“Life coaching is a powerful way to develop new ways of thinking and discover the mental and emotional roadblocks that prevent us from achieving our life's goals,” explains Michael Cavalier, a Mind Body Transformational Psychology graduate, “With this newfound awareness, tools to empower us, and an system of accountability there is no limit to the world opening up to us and to the personal and professional growth we're seeking.”

“To be a good coach, your clients want to know your experience,” says Trina Scott, a graduate of the Transformational Life Coaching program at SWIHA, “Oftentimes, it's hard for someone to trust you if you haven't experienced something similar. You want them to feel safe opening up to you.”

Experience is something that Trina has plenty of. She shares with us: “My life was a struggle for me because I had lost my husband. He was a police officer killed in the line of duty. I was searching for my purpose as I was trying to raise four daughters alone.

“Effective life coaching provides relief, restores hope and offers ease so that life feels manageable and meaningful,” says Suzanne Wigginton, “The work helps to clear the way, connect the dots and align clients with healing pathways and perspectives.”

Suzanne served as a Massage Therapist for many years after getting her education at Southwest Institute of Healings Arts. Before her venture into the healing arts, she worked as a paralegal and knew that she was destined for more.

“There are a lot of different types of coaches out there and a lot that spent more time learning marketing than how to be a strong coach,” Tami Sharp, creator of The F You Point, tells us, “For me, life coaching is like hiring a personal trainer for your soul. Sure, if you want to get in shape you can do it on your own. However, if you want to expedite the experience, have deeper and more noticeable results in less time, you hire someone that's been trained to help you push past your limits and holds you accountable for achieving your goals.”

“Life Coaching is a way for others to have someone to be a sounding board, to have someone ask simple questions that trigger a positive plan of action without telling the client what to do and to have them explore outside of their comfort zone,” Reilynn Sarmiento, a Massage Therapy graduate of Southwest Institute of Healing Arts explains, “We guide by allowing them to explore their own horizons and have them set goals for themselves.”

“Life coaching is a one-on-one conversation between a practitioner and a client, in which the practitioner asks very direct questions to withdraw the client's soul desires and answers to help enable the client to reach their goals through positive life changing tasks,” explains Cherie Lee, a Mind-Body Wellness Practitioner graduate, author, non-denominational minister and business owner.

“Life Coaching, to me, begins with helping someone clarify what they really want to be doing with their lives and helping them map out a plan to get there via a series of specific,attainable goals,” says Dr. Alisa Cooper, “It requires holding them accountable for taking action steps to get there. It also involves recognizing and overcoming the limiting beliefs that can lead to self sabotage and stagnation.”