Welcome to Balance & Buddha Bowls Coaching!

Hi, I’m Cindy and I first made the decision to become a health coach about 5 years ago. The company I was working for, had been recently acquired and I was feeling it might be time to move on. My husband and I had been manifesting our goal of opening a wellness space for over 10 years. We had decided that it was time for me to resign from my corporate career to pursue my passion for teaching yoga and enroll in a health coaching course. Shortly after making this decision, Andrew was advised of changes in his own career - there was now a monkey wrench in our plan......

After many stressful months, Andrew ultimately ended up taking a “golden handshake” from corporate life and we decided I would “stick it out” to get to my retirement date, which was only a few years away. I approached it with a newfound resolve to just get to “my finish line”. I pursued another job within the company, working for someone I really respected, so hanging in there a few more years seemed possible. Until it wasn’t......After a year in this role, I learned my bosses role was being eliminated and I was going to be taking on more responsibility.  SHOCKED, yet used to these announcements by now, I rose to the occasion. I delegated where I could and created meaningful strategy - I was making things happen. AND I was STRESSED OUT working more than 50 hours a week, eating 2 out of every 3 meals in front of my work computer. While on conference calls. Never taking a break to actually STOP and enjoy my meal. It was the only way I could keep up with the driving demands of the job. It was definitely starting to take it’s toll. Deep down, I was unhappy and completely stressed out!

It was March of 2019. I was on my way back from a board meeting when the excruciating pains in my stomach began. I took some Gas-X and went to bed. 24 hours later I wound up in the  ER! 

Diverticulitis was the diagnosis. I was sent home with massive amounts of antibiotics and a bland diet (jello, soup, ice pops). I went to bed with a fever and woke up the next morning to sign on to my work computer and I just…COULDN’T do it. I let my (new) boss know I needed a few days off and I did a shit ton of research on diverticulitis. I learned the underlying causes and realized that the only one I had was CHRONIC STRESS; which was made worse by my constantly changing atmosphere, work demands and culture in my job. I had been pushing myself too hard AND my body had been giving me signals for awhile...I wasn’t paying attention.  

Well, THAT got my attention! Long story short, I ended up taking time off from work to heal my body - from the inside out. I slowed down…everything from food consumption, to demands on my schedule. I started to say NO to things. I started eating slower and cleaner. Not distracted or stressed. In peace. I started showing gratitude for my food before I ate. I mediated daily! I also learned that gluten and dairy could be negatively affecting the Hashimoto disease I had been diagnosed with years prior. So, I eliminated them from my diet. I lost 20 pounds in the process - my gut health has never been better!!  

During this time, I healed by body, AND I did a complete review of my life/decisions. I ended up going back to work, but only to announce my retirement. I happily departed corporate life in October 2019, at the age of 55. Shortly after that, Andrew and I launched our health and wellness practice, Cindrew Sanctuary, where I teach yoga and Andrew provides Reiki and Numerology readings. 

Obviously the Covid-19 pandemic has created challenges for all small business, including ours. However, I chose to use the time in quarantine to finally enroll in a health coaching program (HCI) and am now a certified health and wellness coach!! My goal has always been to inspire and motivate others to create healthy habits and live the life of their dreams....one of self-care, balance and improved well-being. 

I know it is possible to heal yourself - from the inside out and I want to empower you to realize that for yourself!!