My working philosophy
My work isn’t about me; it’s about you and everyone you know. In fact, it has the likely potential to be life-changing. Not even kidding.
I’m fiercely passionate about healthy aging. News flash: every single one of us is aging, whether we like it or not. We begin aging the day we’re born. As a culture we’re obsessed with living longer and longer, but to what end? That’s about quantity over quality. My goal is to flip that, to help folks prioritize quality of life so they can truly enjoy their years here, no matter what age.
What does that mean, exactly? First, I help folks get really clear on what they want their lives to look and feel like. We’re talking big picture down to minute details. Then we take a holistic look at that picture, breaking it down in terms of nutrition, physical activity, rest/sleep, spirituality, home and/or work environment, relationships, professional development, and your mind-body connection. We’ll figure out what’s working for you and what’s not, and how you can balance that out more to your liking and improve your overall quality of life. I take this approach whether I’m in a coaching relationship or offering yoga instruction.
I don’t set folks up to live their “best” lives. That’s a recipe for failure down the line because, really, every day can’t be our best day. “Best” is performance oriented. It implies unhealthy comparisons and constant striving, which is by nature exhausting. There’s a lot of ego tied up in the word “best.” If you’re living your best life . . . then what? What’s left to look forward to? Instead, live your life. Be who you are and enjoy yourself. Let’s work together to get you there.
1:1 health coaching (series of sessions)
Group health coaching
Individual or small group yoga classes
Mindful leadership coaching / presentations
Teen mindfulness classes
Client List
I love working with both individuals and groups through a variety of channels. Coaching can take place in the privacy of my cozy home office or via telephone / web conference. Companies and non-profits often hire me to work with their staff or clients, sometimes for coaching and other times as a presenter related to health and well-being. My favorite topics include healthy aging, loneliness and social isolation, mindfulness and mindful leadership, anxiety management, and more. If you have a question about how we might work together, don’t think twice to ask. I’m all ears!
Experience
Duke Integrative Medicine
Mentor to new students in IHC Foundations program
Randolph County Government
Integrative health coaching consulting
& guest speaker
Novant Health
Forsyth Medical Center
Nurse director wellness retreat
Hospice of Davidson County
Integrative Health Coaching
presentation for staff & volunteers
Baptist Children’s Home of NC
1:1 staff health coaching
Yoke and Abundance
”Wise Women” guest panelist, podcast guest, and blog interview
First Baptist Church,
Uptown Lexington
Art Journaling class series
Fort Caswell
Summerfest breakout session leader;
”A Leader’s Legacy” on leadership, aging, and retirement
NC Department of Health & Human Services
Division of Aging & Adult Services,
Guest presenter at Ann Johnson Institute for Senior Center Management annual CE training
Middle Tennessee State University
School of Nursing:
1:1 student health coaching
Meharry Medical College & Vanderbilt University
1:1 health coaching with first-year medical students
NCBAM
Health coaching consultant for “One Hope” aging adult loneliness & isolation campaign
NCBAM
”How to be a Better Listener” group training for call center staff & volunteers
AAIM Conference 2020
Keynote speaker, “The New Normal”
Workshop of Davidson
Yoga classes
Credentials
National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC)
National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC)
Certified Health & Well-Being Coach
Duke Integrative Medicine
Mental Health First Aid® Certified
National Council for Behavioral Health
Registered Yoga Teacher (eRYT200)
Yoga Alliance & Asheville Yoga Center
”e” = ”Experienced” yoga teacher (1000+ hours of teaching)
BA in Women’s Studies & English
University of NC at Greensboro
Skills
Coaching
Speaking / Presenting
Motivational interviewing
Yoga / yoga therapy
Retreat organizing & leadership
Training / Facilitating
Mindfulness
Working with adolescents
Writing & publishing
Words from Whitney’s clients
Carol L.
“Being coached by Whitney was nothing short of life- and perspective-altering for me. I began our three months together thinking she would give me “five easy steps” or a “40-day plan” to get me on track with my goals. Not even close. I still don’t know how she did it but she helped me learn to trust myself and find answers inside. That was my 50-years in the making takeaway, but there were others too: like finding the mindfulness and habit-breaking tools that work best for me, learning to be a better listener, and awaking to the futility of trying to fix other people. I’m so glad the world of integrative health coaching is on the horizon and practitioners like Whitney are there to help people see through the clutter of the marketplace and find something real.”
Michelle R.
“I’ve been meeting every Sunday with Whitney for 1:1 Yoga for about 4 years now. I came to Whitney in desperate need. I’m a stressed out, middle-aged, overweight woman who has had injuries along with arthritis in about every joint.
Within seconds of sitting down with Whitney, I felt like I was spending time with a friend who cared, and was very optimistic about what we could do together. I left feeling like this was going to be one of the best decisions I’d made for my life.
So, with Whitney, what I experience is a complete holistic Yoga. Weight loss has been slow and steady but that’s not what has become my focus. What really matters is being able to move in ways I didn’t think I ever could, and laughing while doing it. Yes, I laugh! Oprah and her peeps can keep their Super Soul Sundays. I have Wellness with Whitney.”
Laura H.
“Whitney has been my yoga teacher for over eight years, and more recently, she has coached me on health issues. My yoga practice has become an integral part of my life thanks to her innovative classes and encouragement. Her yoga techniques have helped me through back problems, Lyme Disease and other health issues. She teaches yoga with an approach that meets you
where you are, pushes you to do more, and she makes it fun & playful.
She has also given me guidance on my health issues through her health coaching. She has helped me examine my problems, figure out what to do and put plans into action. I credit her ability to really listen and give valuable feedback as one of the main reasons I’m healthier and happier. Building on the foundation of a regular yoga practice and addressing troublesome health issues, with Whitney’s insight and support, has made a major, positive difference in my life.”
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