“I was inspired to become a Holistic Health and Wellness coach because I’m passionate about helping people gain the knowledge, skills, tools, and confidence to become active participants in their health care so that they can live their most fulfilling life with a chronic illness.”
SWIHA (soon to be) Great Graduate, Katina Kondos, spent the last twenty years of her life in the health and wellness industry, operating several Massage Envy franchises in Illinois, until she sold them in 2018 and moved to Arizona for a fresh start. Katina shares, “Much of my career has been dedicated to helping people navigate through pain management and improving their quality of life.” With a new journey beginning in Arizona for Katina, it just made sense that she found herself attracted to SWIHA. Katina enrolled in the Holistic Health and Wellness Coaching program to further her education in this field she is so passionate about, meanwhile, expanding her tool belt of offerings to help serve others live their best, and healthiest life.
“My defining moment came when I was faced with a terminal illness diagnosis. After spending much of my life searching for support and resources to help manage my disease. I was so overwhelmed and vowed to do everything I could to help support other people like me” she continues, “To empower people to be their own advocates throughout their healthcare journey and to never give up hope. I knew I was on the right path when I began to use the skills that I was learning through my program at SWIHA and applied them in my life to help me manage all my challenges.”
Katina has shared that she is expected to graduate from SWIHA in July of 2023, and is excited for the future ahead of her. Her time in the program so far has already impacted so much of her life in a positive way. Katina asserts, “My life has changed dramatically since enrolling in the program. At the time I was diagnosed, I felt so overwhelmed and wondered how I was going to move forward in life. I lived a fast-paced, goal-driven, entrepreneurial lifestyle and had no intention of slowing down. Being diagnosed with an incurable disease puts everything in life into perspective. I used to have the luxury of having time on my side. I made the decisions about what, how, and when I wanted things to happen in life. I neglected the opportunity to embrace gratitude consistently and appreciate the simple things in life. Each day includes several gratitude reflections, meditation, and mindfulness practices. My body has forced me to slow down immensely, and my mind now cherishes the quiet.”
Even with this obstacle of a diagnosis in her way, Katina doesn’t plan to have that stop her from seeking her dream of helping others like her. With the determination to overcome all odds, Katina would like to pursue a professional career as a Holistic Health & Wellness Coach. “The skills I have learned throughout my program have inspired me to become a support group leader for the Phoenix area Pulmonary Hypertension Association. I am able to help support so many people who are struggling. Chronic illness can feel so lonely and having a group to lean on has been life-changing for many people.”
As a soon-to-be graduate, Katina’s advice for future/potential SWIHA students is “Never let adverse situations define you. Dream big and conquer your dreams by embracing a growth mindset. Lean into your GRIT and let that be your compass.”
Connect with Katina Kondos
Instagram: @holisticsolutionscoaching
