ABOUT ME

As a coach, I put the power back in YOUR hands.

Learn more about my training and my unique approach to health coaching.

Are you curious about how health coaching can help you? Let’s talk. Schedule an initial consultation with me today.

I received my training from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition^*, where I studied a variety of dietary theories and practical lifestyle coaching methods. With my knowledge, we co-create completely personalized actions based o n your goals to move you toward your ideal vision of health within your unique body, lifestyle, preferences, and resources.

My Journey to Health Coaching

Overall, I have always been what you call “Healthy” on the outside.  I ate well, exercised consistently and my weight was normal.  BUT, I was struggling on the inside. I was embarrassed because I was a nurse and I didn't know what was going on in my own body. I was EXHAUSTED.  I felt lonely, ashamed, and confused.  Despite what most would consider a healthy lifestyle, my heart was beating fast, I was having horrible night sweats, and my hair was falling out.  YES, my thyroid was out of whack.  And, I was also experiencing chronic back pain, headaches, sinus congestion, skin rashes, digestive issues, and fatigue.  I didn’t know why. I FELT SO, frustrated, overwhelmed, and STRESSED. 

Being a healthcare provider myself, I went to my traditional doctor who referred me to specialists, an Endocrinologist, Dermatologist, Gastroenterologist, ENT specialist.  I had tests, scans, pills, shots, none of that worked. I was even dismissed by some doctors saying everything looks fine.  I was defeated and lost.  I just wanted to feel better, and to know why I was experiencing these ailments.  This is where my own journey to healing begin.  I knew I needed to slow down so I started doing yoga, which was helping a lot.  My yoga instructor was an Ayurveda Health Counselor, with background in traditional healthcare.  I felt a connection, took a chance, and started meeting with her.   What A Difference, she not only took the time to get to know me, but she also looked at me as a whole person.  She helped me step by step to figure out the right plan for me.  We looked at right nutrition, activities, and lifestyle that I needed at that time in my life. 

More importantly, we delved into some emotional issues that no other doctor addressed that were directly related to the root cause of my health issues. With my health coach, little by little I recognized the stressors in my life, and I made small changes to my nutrition and lifestyle.  I was able to create a balance, peace, and joy in my life.    When I look back now, I see that even though I was being healthy on the outside, I didn’t realize how much STRESS affected my inside. It was making me sick.  By working with my Health Coach, I felt safe and loved enough to shed my hard protective layers and really get to the root of my aliments. Currently, I see so many people in the same position that I found myself: frustrated, confused, scared, and just plain lost trying to navigate our healthcare system.   This inspired me to become a Health Coach to help guide and support others on their own journeys to complete wellness and rejuvenation. My mission is to live a purposeful life, as a positive light, that empowers others to create a balanced life where they feel inner joy, peace, and happiness.

My Educational Journey

I started my coaching roles as early as my teen years as a gymnastics and swimming coach.  This love of coaching brought me to my first degree in Health and Physical Education.  Yes, I was a PE coach.  I really enjoyed teaching children fun activities then watching them play, be active, be in the moment, and seeing them discover what amazing things their bodies could do with a little bit of practice. 

I continued on with my education while still coaching and my career progressed to a master’s degree in Education focusing on Health Promotion and Exercise Physiology.  This new knowledge led my career to focus on older adults.  I became a Cardiac Rehab Exercise Specialist, where I was able to incorporate my love for health and wellness into teaching heart patients lifestyle skills including individualized exercise, nutrition, and stress management.  This was a rewarding career where I witnessed many people go from feeling and being in their worst health (having a heart attack) to feeling renewed and rejuvenated.  They lost weight, cholesterol levels improved, but most of all they were happy, smiling, and grateful to be alive. 

I wanted to help more people and my thirst for knowledge in health and wellness leaded me to nursing school.  Nursing can be such a heartfelt and rewarding career.  I learned so much more about one on one teaching, supporting, and comforting sicker hospitalized patients.  BUT, time and time again, I have seen patient’s frustrations.  They are trying to do the right things to be healthier but not getting much support from healthcare providers, who usually just treat their symptoms.  After being a nurse for almost 20 years, I know there has to be a better way.  I found Ayurveda and Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN), and I knew I could be that extra layer of support.  By looking at each person individually and holistically we work together to find the root cause of your ailments.  Then step by step together we build a foundation where you can live mindfully and create balance and happiness in your life.

Rita Smith