Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacey Benjamin.
Stacey, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
At age 19, after attending a family planning clinic visit (at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in NYC) to support my anxious cousin, I was offered a job by the gentleman that set up the clinic and conducted these education sessions in the waiting area. I was very participatory and engaged in his presentation and he happened to be leaving the position and asked me if I would be interested in doing his job. How cool was that? To shorten a very long story, I did get that job. And very soon thereafter, I realized that getting that position was truly divine intervention, as it was the impetus for me to begin the work of my calling in the field of Public Health.
I took to the field of health like it was in my DNA. I changed my major from Mass Communications to Community Health Education and graduated with my bachelor’s degree and then went on to get a Master Degree in Public Health and additional certifications (I am a Master Certified Health Education Specialist, Certified Intrinsic Coach, and Workplace Wellness Coordinator to name a few). All the while in my personal life, I was voraciously learning about health, consistently walking the walk (by exercising, eating healthy, and working on managing stress) and enjoying the process. Ever since I came into this field, I knew it was right for me and that I am here in this lifetime to be a healer of sorts, and I am good at it. For that I am grateful.
To this day, I get so excited when my clients make improvements to their health. It is truly a blessing to be a vessel supporting these great life-changing transformations.
Today, with my Health Coaching business I support my clients to improve their lives through introspection, development of personal rituals, and self-love. And it continues to be an amazing journey.
Some of my career highlights include the following:
*-Director of the Cancer Education and Risk Reduction Program for the State of Georgia
*-Associate Director of Programs for SHARE: Self-Help for Women with Breast and Ovarian Cancer.
*- Manager of Wellness & Health Promotion for Kaiser Permanente of Georgia
*-Board Member of the Public Health Association of New York City (PHANYC), and contributed to the report, Public Health at a Crossroads, Proposal for Protecting and Strengthening New York City’s Public Health System
*-Adjunct Instructor at Herbert H. Lehman College (CUNY) in the Health Services Department for 8 years. Taught Introduction to Public Health, Health Appraisal, and Women’s Health courses.
*-My successes in the Employer Wellness industry have been chronicled in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (June 27, 2007, September 2, 2007), Atlanta Tribune (Annual Health Care Issue), October 2007, Atlanta Business Chronicle, July 18, 2008, July 17, 2009, and the viewpoint April 9, 2010, Smart Business, June 2009 and June 2010, and in the book, “Next Generation Wellness at Work”, Chapter Nine, Working Together: Partners in Prevention.
*-Published journal author, Journal of Ambulatory Care Management, Evaluation of a Work-site Wellness Program Designed to Reduce Cardiovascular Risks, Oct/December 2013 Volume 36 – Issue 4 p 272-279.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road has not always been smooth. I followed the formula most of us get programmed to do in life. I finished school, went on for advanced degrees, worked my way up the corporate ladder, got married, and purchased a house. And when I was in management, I worked long hours and there was limited time for my personal life/needs. It became exhausting and negatively impacted my health, so I chose my health over working in corporate management.
And like many people, I experienced prejudice, bullying from a boss, and those unrealistic expectations in the workplace. But I never let those things define me or stop me from living my purpose and passion for health. That would be my advice to young women starting their journey today, to define who you are within yourself and not let outside circumstances be your story.
I would also encourage curiosity (learn all that you can about what interests you) and be grateful for those that support you in life. I read every day about health and spirituality. I watch documentaries, Ted Talks, and You Tube videos to support my desire to learn more and to grow. And then, I share what I learn.
I have always been blessed to have strong family support from my parents and brothers. And I have the most amazing network of sister/friends. What we focus on grows and I learned that lesson well. So, I meditate, exercise, do Yoga and get massages regularly. I take care of myself first these days without any guilt. I work to focus on the positives in life and have a tribe that supports me to do this. I check in with my family and sister/friends regularly to give and get support. This nourishes my soul. I strongly advise self-care in ways you create and re-create throughout life because we are ever changing beings. Let your self-care rituals grow with you in life. Be consistent and make them a part of your life-style.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with SB Essentials – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I named my company SB Essentials because I want to share the things in my life that I find essential for balance and good health. They include healthy eating (for me that is a plant-based diet), essential oils, meditation/stress management, exercise, consistent self-development, a support network, and most importantly self-love. I specialize in individual coaching but also offer group sessions, workshops, and webinars as well.
My signature programs are for busy professionals and they include:
SB Calm for stress management, SB Slimdown for weight loss, SB Nourish – for those interested in adding more plant-based foods into their diets, and SB Healthy for general health improvement.
I am most proud of the successes of my clients have with health improvement. Most recently, I supported a gentleman to lose over 40 lbs and another client was taken off of both blood pressure and diabetes medication. And I consistently get to see stressed professionals open the door to peace in their lives in the work that I do. It is quite rewarding.
I lived that busy overwhelming life that my clients live and through trial and error I have been able to create more balance in my life and I thrive on helping others to do the same.
What sets me apart from others is that I have a holistic approach to my work and a track record for a sustainable change. I believe in the science of Neuroplasticity. So, I support my clients in rewiring their brains with healthier habits and new rituals in my coaching process and when an individual is committed it is a game-changer. My signature programs are 1-3 months in duration and that allows my clients the time to truly make life changes with my professional guidance. As a woman that has 5 brothers, I also relate to men very well and have great success stories with my male clients just as I do with my female clients.
There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
Having a mentor can happen organically in a workplace but often it takes work. Joining professional organizations is always a good first start. Find out which are appropriate for your industry and attend the meetings. It can be a great opportunity for networking in addition to finding great mentors. I would also encourage volunteering. I have been able to meet mentors and grow amazing professional networks from volunteering.
And ask those you that you admire if they would be interested in being your mentor. This can be someone in the workplace, community, teachers, professional organization, etc. People are often happy to help and it can actually help them to help you.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.SBEssentials.net
- Phone: 518-966-2544
- Email: wlness4life@gmail. com and Stacey@SBessentials.net
Image Credit:
Troi Anthony
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