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WHO I AM

Dr. Stephanie Nartaki Heinhold, DPT, CWC

Hello and welcome! I received my Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2006 and I have worked with the entire age range with a wide variety of disease processes. I have spent 16 years of my career working in hospitals in various settings including cancer, general medical and surgical units, as well as general and specialized cardiac intensive care units. Over the years I have gained a greater understanding of what ultimate wellness looks like and the active effort we need to take in own well-being. Western medicine will only get us so far, and by focusing on a holistic approach rooted in cultivating our inner wisdom, we will find greater capacity for harmonizing mind, body, and spirit together.

I personally have found that a holistic approach to my own challenges with chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and PTSD management has been the key to unlocking greater capacity to live life to its fullest. Through gaining greater knowledge into how nutrition, sleep, exercise, stress management, and discovering my uniqueness all impact my overall well-being, I have been able to not only manage these aspects of my human experience but am thriving in living out my core values and finding great satisfaction in daily life. I am navigating setbacks with greater ease through honoring my body's inner cues while becoming curious about hidden messages pointing me in new life directions.

My family life was touched by heart disease at the young age of 9 years old when my dad suffered a heart attack. Come to find out this had been his second one, but the only one he knew about. I recall the fear of the unknown, the trials of trying to overhaul all of our diets in a fast-paced life with 3 of us siblings, and the challenges that came with trying to fit in exercise in a fast-paced lifestyle. Little did I know this would set me on a course to become a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy in 2017! This additional education has afforded me some critical knowledge in understanding the interplay of all of these lifestyle factors on chronic diseases and the determination needed to explore what changes are best for each individual person.

In 2018, I dove into Functional Medicine training through Functional Medicine Fast Track. I completed the Level 1 coursework and found greatly valuable information surrounding the impacts of stress, inflammation, and immune system dysfunction on fueling chronic diseases. I gained some great tools and techniques for finding some of those hidden lifestyle factors and tailoring lifestyle changes that are individualized to each person's specific needs. One of my greatest challenges with this coursework, however, was the heavy reliance on supplementation and additional testing which I found put myself into greater anxiety than simply following through on some of the key lifestyle factors that needed some upgrading. Therefore, I choose to focus guiding others through more of a Lifestyle Medicine approach rather than diving deep into supplementation.

In January of 2020 I took my knowledge base one step further and completed T. Colin Campbell's Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate program. Within my own search for minimizing the role inflammation had on my body, a whole food plant-based nutrition plan was the right choice for me. I have felt the profound impact in the reduction of inflammation which was fueling my chronic pain and overall fatigue. This new nutrition plan offered me a capacity to understand that how I choose to fuel my body is how my body will fuel me. Recognizing that what tasted like nectar for the tongue was poisoning my body and preventing me from living my best life helped me make the necessary upgrades which are now allowing my body to repair itself and fueling me with the energy to live life to the fullest.

This multi-faceted approach I have taken in my own life towards greater holistic living gives me an opportunity to walk alongside you as a fellow traveler. As your coach, I want to cultivate a safe space for inner exploration in whatever ways you see fit. I want to be your cheerleader, your companion, and your guide in building Self-resilience that will set you on the path to thriving in life!

Receiving the Spiritual Name "Nartaki"

In September of 2024, I became formally initiated into the spiritual tradition of Bhakti Yoga. With this initiation, I received the spiritual name, Nartaki Radha Devi Dasi. Bhakti Yoga means loving union with Divinity in a deeply individualized and personal way.

It is my belief that mysticism and deeper spiritual connection resides in everyone. We all have the capacity to tap into ordinary magic through the avenues of curious exploration, gratitude for the small things in life, and recognizing that each one of us is a spark of divine love and wisdom called to shine brightly in our own unique and authentic way. Mirabai Starr has a beautiful definition of mysticism, "it is a direct, unmediated, and intimate encounter with the sacred in the midst of everyday life. It is tapping into inner wisdom through discernment, using our unique gifts for social justice, and uplifting ourselves and the community around us."

I choose to embrace the name Nartaki, which means "dancer" in Sanskrit. My life has been an adventure of learning how to dance in the rain, embrace a paradoxical mood of melancholy bliss, and remember that the greatest gift I can offer is through supporting each individual in finding their unique song and dance in life.

Whatever lights you up, causes you to sing and dance with abandon, offers inner motivation to be and do your best, and gives you an opportunity to stretch beyond what you believe is possible is your calling, your nature, and your greatest, most precious gift worthy of expressing fully and authentically.

Why am I Choosing to Offer Wellness Coaching?

Wellness coaching offers me a whole new way of being in service to others. Upon learning the techniques of Motivational Interviewing, Affirmative Inquiry, and supporting others through offering unconditional positive regard, curiosity, and deep listening, I felt like both my calling to be of service and my deep appreciation of the uniqueness of each individual came together in a beautiful synergy.

Instead of presenting as the expert in the "diagnose and treat" model, wellness coaching offers a companioning and guiding approach, recognizing that you are the owner of your life. Sure, I have some wisdom to share along the way as a fellow traveler, but ultimately you get to choose what wisdom you take on and what you leave aside. And, you are the one choosing which path we take to climb the mountain towards fulfilling your unique vision.

There is nothing more amazing and beautiful than being seen, heard, and appreciated for your uniqueness. I understand this principle deeply as I have been the benefactor of counselors, friends, and spiritual guides who have seen, honored, and encouraged me to step into my uniqueness. They offer me the safety to really embrace all of who I am in raw authenticity, and that continues to be a catalyst for where my journey lies today. This is essential spirituality and essential humanity. The more we see one another, appreciate one another's unique perspectives, and encourage one another to be the best versions of ourselves, the more we can collectively heal and empower others to embrace their own greatness. It can take one person, one moment, one small act of kindness to transform a life, and if I can be of service in your transformation, then I will know life has been well lived.

Wellness coaching is about inner transformation through shifting perspectives, mindsets, and priorities to come into greater alignment with our core nature, our unique temperaments, and our ability to hear our own inner wisdom guiding the way forward. These have been the keys to my success in integrating my humanity and spirituality, embracing all of who I am, and choosing to present myself to others with integrity and authenticity. It is my humble desire to be a light of hope, encouragement, and empowerment as you embark on your own transformative journey towards greater wholeness and wellness.

Transformation can be really scary and really exciting at the same time. Having someone who can hold space for honest and vulnerable exploration can help keep us on track and moving forward.