Thank you my Healthy Hotties!

As I write this entry, my heart is so full of love I am afraid is may actually burst! That may be because this week my love goes out to not just 1 but 12 amazing women. Women, who just over 2 years ago were complete strangers to me but today, own a huge piece of my heart.

All coming from different walks of life, we found ourselves in the same little classroom 2 years ago. A love for nutrition and health brought us there. Some of us were going back to school again for the first time in 5, 10 or even 20 years and most of us not knowing much about our new found passion. Although nervous and overwhelmed, there was a calming energy throughout the room that softly sounded the message “don’t worry, together we will get through this”.

It has been a difficult journey to say the least. Arriving at class after working sometimes 8,9, 10 hour days. Getting home after 11 at night. And spending literally every free moment reading a textbook, researching the net, cramming for a test or writing an assignment.  There were many times where I felt as though I was sinking. But as our time in the classroom progressed, and bonds between us grew, my classmates made sure I would stay afloat. It was inspiration that kept me going. Knowing that these women were going to be in class, without fail, every Monday and Thursday evening no matter what else was going on in their lives, pushed me to do the same.  Their admirable strength and relentless perseverance made me reach deep down inside myself to find those same qualities.

Needless to say, I could not have walked this journey alone. And fortunately, I didn’t have to.  Here is a little blurb about the special people that I had the privilege of traveling this remarkable journey with.

Susan M – Although she looks half her age and has a body that all of us women aspire to, Susan took a real mother figure role, always looking after all of us and making sure every one was alright. Seeing her big warm smile every class as well as teaching me by example what a true Vata is, especially before Anatomy exams, was so greatly appreciated. As a cancer survivor herself who is now reliving the experience as she helps your husband fight his biggest battle - NATURALLY, has been a true inspiration to us all. The admirable strength and courage along with her dyer passion for nutrition will make any client of Susan’s truly blessed to have her as their practitioner, just as I was blessed to have her as a classmate, and now friend.

Susan B – Our spunky Newfie who is determined to prove that wine is not hazardous to our health! If you need help fighting that one girl, I’m with ya!! Susan’s down to earth personality and humor will shave years off the lives of all those seniors she is going to help. However, I do foresee only one problem with her future career working with the elderly: Susan will either make them laugh to death or all the old men are going to fall in love with her! Either way, they are going to be so lucky to have her as their Holistic Nutritionist.

Nathalie – I think it took about a year before I ever heard Nathalie speak. All I knew about her besides that fact that she was stunning, was that she loved Bon Jovi! She was the quiet one in class, maybe due to shyness, or maybe just because she couldn’t get a word in edge wise with us babblers. Either way it has been great to see her come out of her shell and get to know the wonderful, kind person that she is. 

Ilona – another quiet one, but when she speaks, has so much valuable information to share. Ilona completed this program without missing a class, no matter how hectic her day was. Never in the whole 2 years of sharing a classroom with her did I ever hear Ilona complain once. She is one of those people who seemed to breeze on through, without letting the stress of the classes get to her and never seemed to be frazzled no matter how much was piled on her plate. Ilona’s strength and determination was certainly inspirational when times got tough. Thank you for sharing this journey with me.  

  

MJ – Our feisty maritimer who has so much drive and determination it could knock down a bull. Not only did MJ finish this program without missing a class, she also became a cancer coach and all doing so while raising two young kids. MJ’s previous experience in the Holistic field as well as her ability to excel in everything she does has been a great asset to all of us. There is no doubt in my mind that ‘Live Wise’ & ‘FU Cancer’ will be soon to be well known names in the holistic world. And I pity anyone who tries to get in the way of her goals!

Yvette – My go to girl!! I think the only thing Yvette doesn’t know about is procrastination. Always on top of her game with organization skills that I, the scatter brain, am so envious of, Yvette is always one step ahead of the crowd. Yvette is a powerful, amazing woman who’s passion for nutrition is just seeping out of her pours.  As a successful business woman, amazing single mother and now sure-to-be successful Holistic Nutritionist,  Yvette has truly been an inspiration to be around. That is why I hope to continue to be around her for a long time to come.

Denise – Our Carribana queen who is always smiling and always willing to lend a helping hand. Denise is never afraid of trying something new and jumping in feet first just for the experience. Her diverse repertoire, endless patience and big heart will certainly guarantee Denise a successful future. From our time in class to our ttc rides after, Denise has been a pleasure to get to know and acquire as a friend.

Shyra – Our determined vegan even if she is Blood type O, has been a pleasure to get to know over these past 2 years. As a Reiki Practitioner, Computer Programmer, Public Speaker with a Native background, the knowledge Shyra has shared with us has been so greatly appreciated. And now that Shyra is an official Holistic Nutritionist I do believe she will bring a healthier, more balanced, less-pale face to veganism;)

Hayley – Hayley is that classmate that you totally envy because good grades just seem to come so naturally to her. Unlike myself who needs to read something like 10 times for it to sink in, Hayley seemed to get it 1^st time around. She’s also probably the only person I know who could throw together a wedding in less than four months while working full time and going to school. A definite over-achiever with a passion to make this planet a better place, Hayley has been such an asset to our group and someone I hope to see a lot more of in the future ahead.

Lisa B – Lisa joined our group after everyone else but it took no time at all for her to fit right in. Lisa was like that missing piece we didn’t know we were missing until she joined us. Lisa brings a wonderful down to earth approach to the classroom, asking all those question we were all too shy to ask, and digging until she understood it fully. Her personal achievements along with Lisa’s newly acquired love for nutrition has helped her blossom into the confident Holistic Nutritionist she is today. It was wonderful sharing this journey with you.

Kim C – Our class goof, not clown, because she doesn’t even try or even know for that matter, how absolutely hilarious she is!! Kim is the life of the classroom with a fun positive outlook on everything. She is a well balanced, highly driven woman with a great big heart who I am sure will make people laugh their way back to good health. It was an honor to take this journey with you. You have blossomed from my classmate to my friend and now to my forever RICK STAR!!

Maria – Our little Latin flare, Maria has been not only a ray of sunshine, but she has lit up our classroom like the big bright sun itself. No matter how difficult a time, every Tuesday & Thursday night I was greeted by her big radiant smile which instantly brightened my day. She had this effect on us all. Maria is so passionate and so sure about becoming a Holistic Nutritionist that she recently quit her secure stable job of 13 years to focus primarily on her practice. Maria: your great big heart and magnetic energy leaves no doubt in my mind about the success you & Rediscover Your Health will achieve in the very near future.

This weekend I graduated as class valedictorian with First Class Honors. These are accomplishments that came as a great surprise, and of course a GREAT honor. I feel so blessed that my efforts paid off and did not go unnoticed. However, I was not the only one to work hard, sacrifice and give it my all these past two years. I do not deserve this achievement any more than any of these wonderful, beautiful, inspirational women I had the honor of sharing a classroom with every Monday & Thursday nights for the past 2 years. It is because of them, their drive, determination and most of all their love that carried me to where I am today. Thank you my Healthy Hotties!