“My life was lacking drive, passion, and purpose before SWIHA. I was ready for a change and to do something that filled my life. My aunt had taken classes at SWIHA years earlier so I looked into it and fell in love! I am passionate about this modality because I believe that there are better ways to heal our mind, body, and soul than only what traditional medicine provides.”
There is this great shift happening, moving away from Western medicine, to a more holistic approach when it comes to health and wellness. Sera James, a current student (and almost graduate) of the Holistic Health and Wellness Diploma Program, knew she had a passion for helping others. “I knew I was on the right path as soon as classes started, I felt at home and loved every second of what I was learning because it was something that I already cared so much about and believed in.” Having an established passion for holistic medicine, Sera was excited to embark on this entrepreneurial journey at SWIHA!
Since enrolling at SWIHA, Sera’s life has changed for the better. Sera shares, “I have learned so much about health and wellness during my time with SWIHA. I have gone through a difficult divorce, lost my grandma, and had to start working again after 16 years. If it wasn't for all of the GRIT classes and the support of my peers, I don't know how I would have gotten through it with as much strength as I did. It was like the classes were there for me specifically for this moment in time.” GRIT is an important lesson taught at SWIHA. GRIT is the combination of perseverance, passion, tenacity, resilience, growth mindset, courage, conscientiousness, endurance, conviction, and commitment. GRIT keeps someone working toward their long-term goals no matter how many obstacles they encounter. And GRIT can be developed. Here at SWIHA, we acknowledge that getting through an entire diploma program and balancing life outside of school can be really difficult - that’s why we teach our students this method of thinking. GRIT is also a really important mindset to have as an entrepreneur starting your own business!
Currently, Sera is working full-time as a health aide at her kid’s high school, and she is able to utilize a lot of the things she has learned at SWIHA to help these kids be healthier, both mentally and physically. Meanwhile, Sera is also coaching on the side, building her online Business presence by building an Instagram page, as well as preparing to take her board exams with the National Board for Health & Wellness Coaches (NBHWC). Sera is super excited and is set to graduate from the program in July 2023!
Being so close to graduating from her program and potentially becoming a certified Health & Wellness Coach, Sera is in planning mode when it comes to her business! Sera explains, “I am very new in the process of starting my business and need to take it slow right now. SWIHA inspired me and pushed me to step out of my comfort zone to start this journey which I am so thankful for. I will be offering coaching sessions to clients who want to set goals for themselves and are ready to make a change or who struggle with chronic illness. I will also be partnering with a friend who is opening a health facility to offer other modalities to the community.”
When reflecting back on her time at SWIHA, Sera returns to the topic of GRIT, being the greatest lesson and take away from her program. Sera asserts, “GRIT! This was my greatest lesson because I did not have self-efficacy prior to SWIHA. I was hard on myself and when things got difficult I gave up easily. Given my circumstances over the last year, I am so dang proud of myself for pushing through and finishing. The holistic nutrition classes and the meditation classes were my favorites.”
Sera’s advice for any future/potential SWIHA students is “Stay the course! It is hard with life, however, lean on your classmates for support and push through, and you will not be sorry.”
“I am just so blessed and thankful to have found SWIHA and started this journey. I am thankful for the person I am today because of these courses. I never imagined I would come this far and I can't wait for what's next.”
