Meet Amy West

 

I have lived a full and wonderful life. It has not been free from disappointment, illness, loss, or struggle, but I don’t think anyone gets through life without some sort of something to work out. My way of seeing the world has been through movement and I have been dancing almost my entire life.

I had a 24-year career as a ballet dancer and freelance artist, and enjoyed some incredible experiences that I will cherish forever. Looking back over the years, I feel a deep sense of respect for having been part of the performing arts and for the ability to have continued on for so long in a career that is extremely physically demanding. My desire now is to pass on the wisdom I have worked so hard for and mentor the next generation of dancers, artists and everyday movers!

Why I became a Mayo Clinic-certified Health & Wellness Coach

In 2011, I became sick with strep throat. I did not recover after several rounds of antibiotics or after a weekend hospital stay that sent me home with more questions than answers. This began a new chapter in my life. Up to this point, I had always been able to push through and keep going. Now my body was telling me I couldn’t. This began a years-long journey to regain my health. It was hard to step back, hard to ask for help, hard to feel so vulnerable, hard to be turned away by doctors telling me to “go home and hope you get better”. Since modern medicine could not help me, I had to turn inward and ask for guidance. I had to surrender. I had to seek to change those things in my life over which I had control. I learned to pace and not push; if fatigued, I had to slow down and rest. I had many failed attempts of overdoing it but slowly learned a new way of being. I learned to love myself for who I am, not for what I did or who my identity was.

The silver lining in my health challenge came when I stripped away the “busy-ness” of life. I learned to observe, to listen, to simplify, to distill life down to the basics. Over time, slowly, I did recover. It was a long road, but along the way I learned many invaluable, insightful lessons.

I became a Mayo Clinic-certified Health and Wellness Coach as a way of “paying it forward”. This is my way of helping others in the way I was helped. I am without judgement for those who find themselves humbled, lost, tired and discouraged. In the midst of reclaiming my health I read a quote that said something like, “It’s not what we have, but what we do with what we have that matters.” I held on to that idea because I refused to be labeled or defined by an illness.

So here I am…here to help those individuals who are trying to navigate their health or just want to define “healthy” for themselves. What I offer is joy, joy for movement that is sustainable and effective, not crazy or painful. We have body wisdom and intelligence and when we listen to it, it can guide us. Movement is a gift we give to ourselves. For decades I have taught ballet and creative movement and have worked with many different body types and people of all ages. I now bring that body awareness to my students and clients as a Personal Trainer, by coaching all, from young people to gracefully aging bodies. In a session with a client or student, I look at the whole person, not just the physical.

I am happily married to my soulmate of over 30 years and am a mother to three young adult children. My calm, insightful and conscientious nature are touchstones to being a successful, award-winning Educator, Personal Trainer and Health and Wellness Coach.