Holistic Health Coach

Erica Mestyanek

By: Michael Burns, Fitness Specialist

Erica is not only the Editor of Dallas Yoga Magazine but is also a Holistic Health Coach. She organizes and balances her personal life with 3 young boys while maintaining a healthy wellness routine. This includes exercise, eating heathy, taking time for herself and using essential oils. Erica is always expanding her knowledge of achieving a healthy lifestyle through her constant research. She strives to utilize the best practices for herself, family and clients.

Why did you decide to become a Holistic Health Coach?

When I was younger I was always sick. On average, I was in my doctor’s office every 3-4 weeks for infections or illnesses of some sort. By the time I was 25, I was on 7 prescription medications, 5 of those I was taking on a daily basis. I had learned about the power of Essential Oils from a friend and was just starting to learn more about how changing your diet and lifestyle could truly benefit a person’s health. After my youngest son was born, I developed a full body, blistering rash that lasted over 3 months and 6 different doctors could not help me heal. I finally spoke to a Holistic doctor and she guided me on a new diet. Within 3 days, my rash started going away and I am happy to report today I am on one prescription medication and that is my inhaler that I rarely use.
As a Coach what do you do for people?

First and foremost, I educate my clients on nutrition. There is so much information out there on various diets and what’s healthy and what’s not that it is overwhelming for people to decipher the truth. Next, we work on rebuilding and creating habits to promote a healthy lifestyle. I also work with my clients on their goals and aspirations. People are often surprised at how being unhappy at their job or with their home life affects how they eat.
What do you think are the most common difficulties people are facing when you are contacted?

People contact me for a variety of reasons. Some have chronic headaches or low energy while others are desperate to lose weight and have been overloaded with so much conflicting information from the internet and friends. I always guide my clients to communicate their dietary changes with their doctors as well. It’s important that there is an open line of communication with other providers caring for their patients.
Do you find people think they know how to eat healthy but they really do not?

Absolutely! Unfortunately, some of the information that is available about diets are from people who have no training on the matter. They are everyday people who found advice from a random website or person and followed the steps and recipes for a couple months and lost weight and thought “What a great diet, I will share it with my friends!” The truth is some of these fad diets are finally being studied. They are showing the long-term effects instead of being good for people they are actually harmful. Bad Cholesterol levels in healthy adults are increasing while the good Cholesterol levels are decreasing. When I was studying for my Holistic Certification, even I was baffled at the study results of diets I had followed years prior. It’s scary that this information is out there, but people do not dig in deep enough to understand the long-term effects.
Do you make specific healthy meal plans for people to follow?

My clients who enroll with me in my 6 month program receive 3 weeks of recipes to get them started. After that, we work together so they feel empowered to create their own meal plans. In the very beginning when I set the tone for my time with my clients, I give them all the information they need to obtain optimal health. I guide them to decide how far they want to use the information to incorporate into their dietary and lifestyle changes. Not just for them, but for their families as well.
How important is it to get to know your clients personally?

It is extremely important for me to know and understand my clients as best as possible.
If I don’t understand the little things that upset my clients or their natural habits when something goes wrong, then it is much harder for me to help them long-term. I establish trust and confidentiality by sharing my journey and my pain. I share freely with them so they feel comfortable and share their struggles with me. It’s important to have that personal touch.

If you would like to take the first step to living a happier and healthier life, call Erica to schedule your free 30 minute consultation. 469-766-7125. www.intuitivewellnessbyerica.com