Hometown Shero: Meet Anasi

Meet Anasi, a kind-hearted businesswoman with a nurturing spirit. Her name, derived from Arabic, means "friendly," "kind," and "one who brings comfort and peace to the mind." Anasi holds a Master of Social Work from Fordham University in New York City and is a certified psychotherapist and holistic health coach. Amid the challenges of COVID-19, she founded Anasi Holistic Services, a wellness platform focused on providing health and wellness services to the men and women of her island, Grenada.

Anasi's mission is to support individuals in making significant life changes and achieving balance in body, mind, and spirit. Drawing on her expertise in herbalism, she offers personalised programs and healing herbal blends.

When she's not championing optimal health and healing, Anasi enjoys creating healing herbal teas, mentoring, facilitating workshops, and collecting crystals and stones.

No matter what Anasi does, her ultimate wish is for everyone to be empowered and equipped to lead happy and healthy lives.

Can you share your journey into holistic health coaching and what inspired you to choose this path?

For years, I've battled with finding the right balance in my diet. In the past, my poor eating habits resulted in weight gain, exhaustion, lack of concentration, and low energy. Despite these red flags, I chose to ignore them and continue with my unhealthy diet. I love food and was unwilling to sacrifice what I enjoyed, even if it meant compromising my health.

You won't believe the incredible transformation I went through. In 2014, I was hit with the news of being diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. It was a huge shock, and I refused to accept it. But you know what? This crisis became the catalyst for an amazing change in my life. I made the bold decision to switch to a plant-based lifestyle. Let me tell you, it wasn't a walk in the park. I had moments of weakness, reverting to chicken and fish, before finally going fully plant-based in 2015.

Since making this change, I have not had any more autoimmune diagnoses. I truly believe that my new lifestyle has healed me.

After deciding to change my diet, I also wanted to improve my relationship with food. I began working with a coach who helped me address past trauma and emotional attachment to food, especially sugar. This supportive connection inspired me to help others in the same way.

With over 15 years of experience as a licensed therapist and 7 years as a holistic health coach, I understand the challenges of making positive lifestyle changes. My approach is rooted in love and acceptance, and I work hand-in-hand with my clients to guide them toward a healthier way of living.

Your clients come from diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs; how do you encourage community participation and collaboration in holistic health and wellness?

Most of my clients are based in the Caribbean and some in the US. I've observed a growing interest in holistic health and a concern for health inequalities among those with limited resources.

The clients with more disposable income have been more inclined to avail of my services on a regular basis. They also show a deeper understanding of holistic health and appreciate services that cater to their mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. Our conversations often revolve around the significance of being proactive and intentional about wellness.

It can be challenging for people with limited disposable income to prioritize holistic health. Instead, they often invest in aesthetic self-care such as hair, nails, and clothing. They tend to react to health issues by seeking services only when they fall ill, need to lose weight for special occasions, or after indulging in excessive partying. Additionally, they may not prioritize regular check-ups. To better serve my clients, I gather essential health and wellness details through my registration process. Understanding where they are on their self-care journey enables me to offer the most suitable services.

My clients come from various cultural backgrounds and hold diverse beliefs, but they all share a common goal: they want to live long and healthy lives. However, their financial situations can impact how often they can participate in holistic wellness services and how much importance they place on them.

I am dedicated to making my services accessible to everyone, whether through online giveaways, discounts for those in need, or flexible payment plans.

In your opinion, what is the most challenging aspect of being a holistic health coach, and how do you overcome it?

Finding the right balance between work and personal life has been quite a journey for me. As an empath, I form deep connections with my clients and genuinely want the best for them. I absolutely love what I do and find immense joy in it. There was a time when I would work non-stop, neglecting my own well-being. But now, I'm making a conscious effort to take better care of myself, although I do slip up at times. I believe in Marc Anthony’s quote, "When you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life." Coaching doesn't feel like work to me, but I've come to realize the importance of scheduling time for self-care.

What role do you believe holistic health coaching plays in the broader healthcare system and in nurturing healthy communities?

Holistic health coaching helps individuals take control of their health and wellness. Unlike traditional healthcare providers, I collaborate with my clients as a health coach, helping them set realistic goals, develop sustainable habits, and track their progress.

I’ve noticed that our island's healthcare system is facing a major challenge. Chronic illnesses such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, arthritis, heart disease, and depression are putting a strain on our medical resources. Many doctors simply don't have the time to work with patients on creating long-term health plans. This means that patients often lack the knowledge and tools they need to manage their illnesses without relying solely on medication regimes for the rest of their lives.

Just as our rich island culture and traditions can be passed on from generation to generation, the knowledge to delay or prevent non-communicable diseases such as heart and respiratory disease, cancer, obesity, and diabetes through lifestyle changes is the impact that a holistic health coach can make.

Looking ahead, what trends in holistic health are you most excited about for your current clients and future generations?

In our culture, our Grenadian men, are often less inclined to engage in holistic health practices. I'm very enthusiastic about the growing movement to create safe spaces where men can feel comfortable discussing and exploring their wellness needs without fear of judgment. These spaces would offer services to help them achieve balance in their mental, physical, and spiritual health.

Also, Fasting gained popularity around 2018 and is still a significant part of my practice. I've found that fasting can be beneficial for addressing a wide range of health issues and can be beneficial for most people.

How can our readers connect with you?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anasiholisticservices/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anasiwellnessservices/

Website: www.anasiholisticservices.com