There have been moments in my life that stand out in my mind. Each of these moments have served as guide posts along my life’s journey so that I can live my purpose more fully.
I still remember my first yoga class where I first felt what it was like for my mind and body to be connected. Shortly after, I began my yoga teacher training, so that I could deepen my own practice, and what I found on that journey was that I LOVED teaching, and that I was meant to teach.
I still remember the first time I learned about the term successful aging, and I knew in that moment that I am meant to support people in aging well across their lifespan. This led me to completing my master’s degree in Gerontology, and the start of my career in creating programs that promote health and wellness.
I still remember the first time I led a board of directors, and I had to learn how to lead with heart, and trust myself, even when I disappointed others. This helped me to hone my leadership skills, and become a leader who is strong, self-aware, and empathetic.
I still remember the first time I took a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction class, and what it was like to become more familiar with the habit patterns of my mind, and that this was a practice that I wanted to share with others. This led me to become a meditation teacher.
I still remember the first time I got to coach a client and see them make lasting changes in their health behaviors – that would sustain them throughout their life. This has helped to fuel my commitment to help people change health behaviors.
I still remember the first time I got to lead a group of athletes in a mindfulness training, and I felt in my bones what it is like to be living my purpose. I developed the ability to translate wellness topics to groups of people utilizing their own language.
I still remember leading a retreat for healthcare providers and seeing them heal their own suffering through mind-body practices. This reinforced my desire to serve this population.
I still remember presenting to a group of clinicians on whole-person wellbeing and having someone say, “Whole person well-being is a nice concept, but that is for the worried well.”, and knowing in that moment, with all of my being that I want to help change our culture to see the importance and value of whole-person wellbeing for ALL people.
I still remember the first time I had the honor to teach a group of first responders about mindfulness meditation training and knowing in my heart that I have a community that I can support.
I still remember the first time I was asked to create curriculum for a global organization to support the health and well-being of their employees. I discovered that I adore diving deeply into topics, and creating curriculum to help educate people on how to deal with stress at work, while helping them to understand that health & well-being are not separate from the workplace.
All of these experiences that stand out in my mind have led me to where I am today.
Heather Haslem received her B.A. and M.S. from the University of Nevada, Reno, in Psychology and Human Development & Family Studies. She is a Duke University trained Integrative Health Coach and a National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC). Heather is a qualified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher and yoga instructor. She is currently completing her certification in Mind-body medicine. With over a decade of experience in building programs that enhance whole-person wellbeing, Heather has worked as an entrepreneur, program director, researcher, educator, advocate, leading and teaching others to enhance their own well-being.