Here for you
Hi, I am Lashanda. You are probably feeling how I felt after a challenging relationship or when coming to terms with a health crisis. You may be feeling helpless and feeling frustrated not knowing what you can do to make your environment safer and healthier for yourself or your family. And if you are anything like me, the looming climate crisis may be adding more stress to your already overwhelmed system. It can be a hard and confusing place to be, not knowing what steps to take next. While your medical team will provide you with mental and physical health support, you are probably wanting to take control back of your situation. I’ve been there, and that is why I’ve taken all the lessons learned and simplified the process. Now, I have just what you need to improve your reclaim your health while reducing your eco-footprint and I have simplified the process for you because change can be hard and overwhelming. Let’s finally get you off the rock of indecision for good and to a better state of health.
Who Am I?
How Life Has Defined My Journey
Hi, I am Lashanda, a certified master trainer, barre & Cardio Kickboxing Instructor, Trauma yoga & trapeze instructor, and a Holistic Nutritionist who focuses on holistic health and wellness coaching.
Why so many disciplines, you ask?
Well, for one, I feel it is important to offer a well-rounded approach to wellness that helps bolster the lives of others, and being multi-facet has allowed me to help others in different stages of life. Besides, I wasn’t always holistic-minded in my approach.
- My Story -
How Life Has Defined My Journey
This is me Fit and Healthy
Hi, I am Holistic Lee. I am a Certified Master Trainer, Barre Instructor, Trapeze & Trauma-Sensitive Yoga Instructor, a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, and a Board Certified Holistic Nutritionist. My focus is on supporting women in recovering their health after chronic stress or trauma using an eco-sustainable and holistic approach to health and wellness coaching.
WHY SO MANY DISCIPLINES, YOU ASK?
Well, for one, I feel it is important to offer a holistic approach to wellness that helps bolster the lives of others, and being multi-faceted has allowed me to create an approach that focuses on all elements of well-being, far beyond just the plate and movement.
But, I wasn’t always holistically minded & quickly learned health is more than just diet and exercise.
Below is my story.
From Sodas to Smoothies
Happy but unhealthy.
Ironically, I gained weight in the military.
Happiness turned to depression, suppressed appetite and emotional distress; self-isolation was the result.
Becoming trained as a traditional Personal Trainer, Certified Fitness Nutritionist transformed my health.
I loved the way it made me feel. Working out is a natural antidepressant.
It is no surprise…
Life happens, and at the time, we think nothing of the seemingly small and insignificant moments of life that accumulate and begin to shape our reality.
Overwork and chronic stress began to shape my self-care habits. Drinking liters of soda, barely eating any real food, lack of sleep, and little rest resulted in me ballooning in size, diminishing my already small level of self-worth. A blood disorder, among other things, further complicated the issue.
Then, I discovered the gym! Silly, but true. My journey began with walking and weights. From there, I lost 50 lbs at one location and an additional 20 at another. In less than a year, I lost a total of 70 pounds, and I was hooked.
I wanted to share fitness with the world, and that is when I became a Certified Fitness Trainer, Nutritionist, and Cardio Kickboxing Instructor. I further my studies to ensure I could specialize in specific population groups, leading to a Master Trainer Certification. I was able to train military members struggling with their fitness assessments and more. To name a few:
In charge of the Physical Fitness Programs for over 200 personnel
Organized & Taught Fitness Group Classes to military members who struggled to stay fit
Shadowed a Registered Dietitian for a Military Health & Wellness Facility
Lectured Fitness courses for the base populace
Has years of coaching experience and wellness course instruction
All was well, until 2014. After a healthy pregnancy, I became sick. VERY SICK and no, doctors could NOT help me. My body was shutting down, and the autoimmunity issues grow in number. Depending upon the medical professional, I was either given drugs to mask my symptoms or evil looks as they started to think it was all in my head, despite the medical diagnostic test results showing something was wrong. Some even resorted to “Google,” right in front of me. They were stumped. And despite my best efforts to stay healthy, my spouts of remissions became fewer and further between. This was ironic as just a year prior, I was healthy and had given birth to a beautiful baby, but then, despite all of my knowledge, my body was deteriorating, and I felt helpless.
From Fitness Fanatic to Sick & Ill
To Most, I look Healthy, but if you look closer, you will see I am chronically ill. From hair loss to rashes, & everything in between.
Edema from failing kidneys- one of many symptoms
The above photo is the aftermath of me choosing to perform sprints. High-intensity training is beneficial if you are healthy, but when in a chronic state of inflammation or illness, it is counter-intuitive.
The middle two pictures show the constant fluctuations in weight due to fluid retention, edema.
Days after Edema - to show the extremes between fluctuations.
Hair Loss
One of my least favorite symptoms, Hair Loss as it progressed.
I was Dumbfounded
How could everything I have been taught no longer serve me after being healthy for so many years? What was the underlying cause, and why were my organs failing and then being restored without the help of the doctors?
I had stopped the drugs and tried to fix my situation on my own. Finally, in 2015, I started to see the light. I felt better, my body did not hurt, no more hair loss, and most of all, I felt in control. What did I do different during this phase? I did a study that forced me to examine my past and address some underlying hurts and truths; some I could barely remember. At the time, I did not think much of it until 2017, when the impossible happened; not only was I sick again, but it was worse, much worst. In fact, I almost died..
From Remission to Death Bed and Back Again
Organs Failing —
ER Visit Warranted
Abdominal Distention After 1 hour period
Chronic inflammation, weight gain & other autoimmune dysfunctions causing deterioration.
The final chapter in this trilogy almost ended with my last breath
After nearly two years of reclaimed health, again, my body began to betray me. My organs were failing; heart, kidney, and decreased lung capacity. My digestive tract turned against me, and no amount of healthy nourishment seemed to be enough. Fatigue overtook me, sunlight overwhelmed me, and the amount of hair in the sink made my heart drop. My ability to swallow was so compromised, that I was told I would need surgery to fix it. Random swelling throughout my body would come and go, as would fluid retention and my ability to function mentally or be a great mom was compromised.
The latter was the most devastating. Once again, three hospitals and countless specialists later, I was nowhere; in fact, worse off than before. So, I took the initiative to resolve my issue. Ironically, I was going to school for healthy lifestyle coaching, and here I was, no longer able to maintain my rapidly declining health. So what was the missing link? What was I overlooking?
That’s when I discovered the premise behind “psychoneuroimmunology” and learned how chronic stress and trauma can manifest themselves physically.
With the support of my healthcare team, my research, and my persistence, I achieved a state of wellness that works for me. You can do the same!
What I learned:
You must take things day by day.
You must health at your own pace and choose not to overextend yourself.
Do what works for you and please, consult your healthcare and wellness team!
Mute the noise, and establish boundaries that serve you.
I rediscovered my vitality through resiliency, mindset resets, and self-care!
Learning more each day, I have begun to embrace an eco-sustainable Model of Wellness with great results! Now, I am on a journey to help others in their quest to be joyful and healthy.
I am not a medical professional, but I am trained in certain practices that can complement your wellness journey and I would love to walk alongside you as you work to discover your best self.
Thank you for allowing me to share My Story with you. Now, take the First Step to Reclaim Your Health!
I appreciate you stopping by!
If you felt a connection because you have struggled over recent years with your health, contact me to begin a journey of healing together or take this free download as a gift for your time and to help you start your journey!!