Ever since I was very young, my plan was to go to school for marketing in preparation to work for my family's chiropractic business. My father and brother are both chiropractors, my mother is the billing manager, and my other brother is VP of Operations.
The family business was all I knew, and quite frankly it was all I wanted. Growing up, I felt like it my life would only feel complete if I carried on the tradition of being a “Rosa” in Rosa Chiropractic. Fast forward a few years later, and I did just that. I went to St. Joseph’s University and got my degree in marketing as well as family business and entrepreneurship. After, I moved home and started my job as marketing director right after graduation.
Much like anyone starting their first job after college, I was thrilled. I couldn’t wait to give back to my family after all these years and to finally start making a living of my own. With the excitement also came stress and nervousness. I had a huge pit in my stomach and I started to question myself: “Did I make the right decision?” “Is this what I want to do?” “If I don’t like it, how will I break the news to my parents?”
Not long after I started work, I began to realize that this was not the career path for me. Part of it was the specific type of marketing that I was doing—I longed to be doing something more specifically involved with people. My confidence both in myself and in my work had steadily decreased. Eventually , I sat down with my family and broke the news. This was a turning point in my life.
During that first year of work, I also suffered a major injury that led me to reevaluate my life. I had been stressing my body in a way I shouldn't have, and I developed something called Haglund's Syndrome. The doctors recommended surgery which involved removing a bony bump on my heel by cutting into and then reattaching my Achilles tendon.
I spent the following 6 months in physical therapy learning how to walk normal again. I also practiced healthy habits for the restoration of not only my foot, but also my mind and body. I had never broken a bone or had any other major surgery that required me to go through therapy, so this was all very new to me.
I quickly became intensely interested with the practices of rehabilitation and wellness therapy. The atmosphere in the office was motivating, uplifting, challenging, and rewarding all at the same time. I started to get to know all the physical therapists, PTAs, and even patients.
PT became not only my physical therapy but also my mental and emotional therapy. I would get there early, leave late, and go to sleep excited for my next appointment. I began to realize that this was the kind of environment that I want to surround myself in going forward. I wanted to help people become stronger in their mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
I became so fascinated with the way a human being is able to go through such a powerful transformation in such a restricted time period that I wanted to be the instructor, the motivator, and the accountability partner for those seeking this healing presence.
I have never felt so confident in a decision to change paths in life. All that has happened led me to where I am now and I feel grateful to have been guided into this incredible wellness space. I knew that health and wellness coaching was the best fit for me because I am confident that with my eagerness to help, my willingness to learn, and my sensitivity to internal struggle, I could make a difference in people’s lives.
My work as an integrative health coach with Dignity Integrative has given me that opportunity.