SWIHA Blog

Natalie DeVaney, a graduate of the Health and Wellness Coaching program at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), has dedicated her career to empowering individuals on their journey toward health and personal transformation. Her story is one of passion, compassion, and a deep desire to help others reconnect with their paths after life’s challenges.

Amber Gomez, the founder of Cerebral Awakening, is a proud graduate of the Integrative Healing Arts Practitioner program. Her journey into the world of coaching is as inspiring as her approach to helping clients rediscover their inner light.

As the calendar turns to 2025, we’re invited to reflect on the journey behind us and the possibilities ahead. This is a time to pause, breathe, and set intentions for the year to come. The New Year is more than just a date—it’s a powerful opportunity to realign with our dreams and step into a life of purpose, balance, and joy. We are thrilled to announce that January 2025 is officially National Coaching Month! A perfect opportunity to focus on growth, transformation, and the power of intentional living with the beginning of a new year. At the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), we are dedicated to helping individuals achieve their highest potential through coaching, healing, and personal development.

“I always say SWIHA chose me. I went to lunch from one of my random jobs one afternoon, and came across a SWIHA course calendar at the table I sat. As I read through, I discovered more about the Life Coaching program and it was an instant connection to what I had been seeking yet did not know existed. Once I came to visit the campus, the rest was history. The feeling of belongingness, the community, the environment, the course content, and the immersive experiences I would get sold itself. This was a school that taught true understanding and not just memorization.”

Before becoming the life coach and King of Cueing Yogi that Will Zecco is today, he had an impressive and established career being a hairstylist for over 40 years! Having this background allowed Will to have ample amounts of experience working in the industry of “people”. Listening to people talk about their lives, their problems, their dreams, and their goals. Hairstylists don’t just do hair, they are therapists! All things aside, Will Zecco’s journey eventually led him to the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts and the Southwest Institute of Natural Aesthetics. Having many roles at both schools, today, Will Zecco is the Director of Student Success for SWIHA’s Yoga Teacher Training programs.

How can your mind, body, and spirit transformation increase your happiness?

So what is a transformation and how do you obtain it? In this busy world, many people go through a series of misfortunes like family dysfunctions, broken relationships, failed marriages, trauma, unfair treatment in the workplace, guilt of past mistakes and the list goes on and on. When people experience these challenges it can be difficult to find peace and direction in your life, nevertheless, there is hope. One way people can obtain transformation for their lives is to recognize that change is needed in order to bring about a sense of peace, joy, and happiness and grow into a healthy balanced life.

“Prior to becoming a coach I was in corporate sales. I knew I wasn’t living my purpose and that I had a deeper calling. When I went through the Life Coaching program at SWIHA I had no idea that this would become my passion and my full-time career.”

Karen chose SWIHA for her education based on the recommendation of a friend. Initially unaware that life coaching would become her true calling, Karen discovered a huge perspective shift during her training. She learned to view every life event as happening FOR her, not TO her, turning her pain into purpose and enabling her to serve others with compassion and empathy.

The challenges of our chaotic lives that we face from all the hustling and bustling can leave many women feeling disconnected and imbalanced. Juggling an overwhelming amount of personal and professional responsibilities is now the new norm for many women, leaving very little time for self-care, proper diet, physical activity, and living in the moment.

Dedicating time each day to make your overall well-being a priority is achievable by implementing small changes that will lead to restorative balance and inner peace.

Before Sandra Steenstra Byrd ever considered becoming a life coach, she was a retail/restaurant manager. The mixture of having a management position and a welcoming presence meant that most employees were drawn to her when they needed someone to talk to. Having this innate gift of being a calming and guiding presence for others, Sandra knew there was a bigger calling for her out there.

“Be willing to get to know yourself better, step outside your comfort zone, and view obstacles as lessons.”

Melisa Rae, the driving force behind rESPONSIBLE nONCONFORMIST, began her coaching journey after spending 15 years in the mental health field. Her firsthand experience in mental health provided her with a unique perspective on the struggles individuals face and ignited a passion for proactive, goal-oriented solutions. A graduate of SWIHA, Melisa completed the Life Coaching, Intuitive Guidance, and Reiki programs.