Karen Vickers – Health Coach
Hi, I’m Karen Vickers, and I am a Integrative Nutrition Health Coach certified by the Institute of Integrative Nutrition® (IIN). I established Why Wait Health Coaching to help spread the message of making your health a priority so you can live a vibrant life!
I have fought cancer three times in my life and only after a metastasis threatened my life did I make the major diet changes that created my transformation. Of course I am still a work in progress and struggle with the demands of daily life on my time.
I have learned to enjoy making home cooked meals for my family and searching for the healthiest food options. I will help you set a few goals each session and help you get started on your transformation.
I have learned to make exercise a priority and am currently training to participate in the New York City Marathon on the American Cancer Society DetermiNation team. A few years ago I started running by setting a goal of running from one light pole to the next, eventually past two or three light poles. I did my first half marathon in January,2013 with the DetermiNation program.
I have completed over half a dozen half marathons and three full marathons. Whether you enjoy walking, biking, swimming or yoga I believe exercise has many health benefits. I hope to help others learn from my mistakes and not wait until a serious lifestyle disease threatens their life.
I am also a registered pharmacist. Why Wait? Contact me today! I am available for individual coaching, group coaching and speaking engagements.
What Does a Health Coach Do?
A health coach will work with you to help you achieve your health goals. During my studies at IIN® I studied many dietary theories from experts in the field of nutrition and wellness and tried many of them myself. IIN® teaches a theory called bio-individuality which is the idea that we are all bio-individuals and have different nutritional needs.
Other areas of your life such as career, spirituality , relationships and physical activity can affect your health and well-being as much or possibly even more than the food you put in your mouth. I will help you find solutions in those areas by listening and asking questions to help you find what’s right for you.
I will offer suggestions and help you set a few goals at each session to help you reach your long term aspirations.
Who Do I Work with and Why Do I Do It?
I work with adults of all ages and both genders. While some coaches have a specialty or niche I believe wellness should be a goal for everyone and lifestyle diseases affect people of all ages and both genders.
I have always been a working mother and appreciate the role my husband plays in feeding our family healthy meals. As a cancer survivor I have a special place in my heart for people affected by cancer and their families. That was my reason for becoming a health coach to share my message and help others learn from the lifestyle mistakes I made that may have put me at a higher risk for cancer.
Enrolling in the health coach training program at IIN® was a gift to myself to celebrate five years of surviving stage four cancer in the hopes of sharing with others what I have learned.