Today, I am so excited to share another interview with all of you. I met Daniela about 5 years ago when I was in one of the darkest places of my life. Daniela was my Bible study leader in college and the first person who supported me and led me to Christ when I needed Him most. I am so excited to share her interview and her business with you all.

As you’ll read, Daniela was diagnosed with Lupus when she was in high school. She is currently off her steroid medication, planning to move to NY summer 2018, and started a business called Healing in Motion after competing in Miss America pageants.

Daniela is a rockstar and you’ll enjoy getting a small glimpse into her life as I’ve enjoyed watching it all unfold. Read how she makes healing a part of her everyday lifestyle and how you can do the same. And don’t forget to scroll down to the bottom for the surprise discount she’s offering!

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1. Tell me about yourself and how Healing in Motion came to be.

Healing in Motion was originally a community service platform for the Miss America Organization to promote healthy living in my community. I had no idea it would eventually become both my passion and my career.

In 2015, I was invited to a women’s conference in Charlotte, NC. I had no idea what the conference was about, I just decided to go with my friend. And it was once of the most significant turning points in my life. At the time I was struggling to figure out what God wanted for my life. I was considering moving to L.A. and was also applying to grad school, but nothing really seemed right.

The conference was centered on the value of womanhood and women empowerment. That is when God gave me a very clear message. Romans 12:1 came to mind, “”Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship.”

It made me realize that the times I wasn’t living in my calling or using my gifts and talents, were the times when I was sick, when my Lupus was active. But that is the case for many women living with autoimmune or chronic illnesses. They have let their diagnosis define who they are and they aren’t missionally living in the way God created them to live.

God said, “Healing in Motion is meant to help women live the way they were created to live so they can love the way they were created to love.” I believe as women, we have an incredible sense of authority, creativity, and nurture.

We can’t let the world miss out on all that we have to offer simply because we are hiding under the burden of a diagnosis. God has much more for each of us than a diagnosis. It isn’t the end of our story, but a brand new beginning to impact the world for God’s glory.

Read more of Daniela’s story here.

2. What type of services do you provide and what do you hope to accomplish with your business?

Healing in Motion provides health coaching, personal training, and online programs for women with an autoimmune disease or chronic illness and/or whom have gone through a tragic event in their lives and are hoping to rediscover their true value.

Individualized coaching and fitness programming assure that each woman reaches her true potential. From addressing nutritional lifestyle habits to incorporating movement that heals in everyday life, Healing in Motion strives to connect with each woman and help them thrive with H.I.M. #thrivewithHIM

Movement has empowered my life and has been a significant source of ongoing healing for me. I was diagnosed with Lupus at the age of 16 and found out many years later that exercise was the best medicine for my body.

I want other women to experience the physical and spiritual empowerment that comes from moving and taking control of your health. Healing in Motion helps women develop better lifestyle and fitness habits in order to thrive while living with an illness, learn symptom and stress management strategies through simple lifestyle changes, and reconnect with their spirits so they can live meaningful and purposeful lives.

When we, as women, are thriving, we experience all that life can offer. We feel whole, happy, and connected to our source of life.

[bctt tweet=”When we, as women, are thriving, we experience all that life can offer.” username=”heyhanha”]

3. Can you talk a little bit more about your values, “Revive, Rebuild, Reclaim?” What do they mean?

I very firmly believe that our spirit, mind, and body are all connected. We are one being with many working parts. When one of those parts is off or aren’t working as they should be, it throws the others off. Think of gears in a watch or a machine. When one gear isn’t turning properly, it causes the others to get off balance.

My logo has three gears to represent the unity and collaboration between spirit, mind, and body. In Romans 12, Paul talks about how we as people are part of God’s church. We all have our unique gifts and talents that moves God’s church forward. And when one of us isn’t engaging in what we are called to do, we miss out on God’s blessings, and on the blessings we can give to others.

Healing in Motion’s three core values speak to our entire being. Because it is important to have balance between our spirit, mind, and body, Healing in Motion’s focus is to Revive the spirit, Rebuild health, and help other’s Reclaim their mission.

It all starts with knowing that God does have a purpose for you. And in knowing that, comes the responsibility to take care of your health. Finally, reclaiming your mission means to go out and live in the calling God uniquely gave to each of us.

Related: What God Says About Our Health

4. How do you make healing a part of your lifestyle? What are some important healthy lifestyle tips that you incorporate?

Whether its physical, mental, or spiritual healing, healing is an ongoing process in my life. I make exercise a daily part of my life. I do CrossFit and Olympic lifting. As a disclaimer, I know that CrossFit or intense exercise isn’t for everyone. I, personally, am able to do CrossFit because I love it and have built up a high fitness level over many years.

But I know everyone isn’t there yet and that’s okay. My goal as a trainer is to help each person find what they love to do and be the best at whatever it is they enjoy. And on days when Lupus flares are unavoidable, I try to work more on mobility or do a yoga session, something gentler. But I make it a point to move in some sort of way.

Over the last two years, I have also worked a great deal on my nutrition game. I realized how much of what we eat affects our bodies, especially those of us living with autoimmune diseases. Certain foods can trigger inflammatory responses.

It’s really important to know what foods sit well with your body and make modifications where they are needed. It’s not about cutting carbs or our favorite foods, it’s about knowing how your body responds to potential allergens and making adjustments so that you can still enjoy the foods you love and feel great at the same time.

I also try (I’m not perfect) to incorporate certain lifestyle habits to better manage stress, one of those being my sleep habits. I have worked on making my room a better sleeping environment by keeping it organized (I struggle here the most, ask my roommate or my mom), by diffusing lavender oil, and by keeping a cool and dark room.

A consistent bedtime routine is important to help your spirit, body, and mind unwind from the day’s activities. Going to bed at the same time each night and turning off all electronics at least 30 minutes to an hour before bed can help create a more quality sleep. Yes, I know these things sound so simple, but the majority of people I know have terrible sleep quality.

And lastly, (although it should be first but since we are being transparent here), I love prayer journaling and meditation. I write out my heart and it’s my time to connect with God. It’s my time of rest; my time of revival, rebuilding, and reclaiming.

I can always tell when I haven’t had any intentional time of prayer because I begin to feel anxious and my life feels messy. As I mentioned before, it all starts with knowing God is present. When you aren’t connected to your life source, it’s like you begin to lose sight of stability.

I believe that it is our responsibility to take care of God’s home on earth. The Holy Spirit lives inside of us. Think about that. Like God himself lives inside of me and inside of YOU! How cool is that? And that should motivate each of us to take better care of God’s home here on earth.

[bctt tweet=”The Holy Spirit lives inside of us. That should motivate each of us to take better care of God’s home here on earth.” username=”heyhanha”]

5. What advice do you have for people who may be struggling in this area? 

My advice? Hire me as your health coach of course! 😉 Haha Honestly, I would say that if you are in a place where you are ready for change but are struggling to make your life #instaperfect, chose one thing. It can be overwhelming to tackle a million things at once.

As people, we are constantly comparing ourselves to where we think we should be or where we want to be, and that is harmful to our sense of self. I recommend practice being present, right here, right now. Be in touch with who and where you are today. Then choose one thing you can do today to have a better tomorrow.

For example, today you can choose to go on a walk for 15 minutes. You can choose to have a dinner filled with yummy anti-inflammatory foods. You can choose to put your phone down and pray for 10 minutes. Healing is a process and a journey, not a destination. So set your healing in motion today, choose one thing.

Related: Learning How to Be Present

6. Do you have any healing scriptures that you use? If so, what are they?

I don’t know if these are necessarily healing verses but they are some of my favorite and go-to verses when I need encouragement.

Joshua 1:9 ^“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

This is my favorite life verse because I struggle with self-doubt. This reminds me that God has given me a mission and commands me to be courageous because He is with me always. Sometimes our mission requires action on our part and faith that God is with us.

Romans 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

Reminds me to be mindful and take care of my body.

Hebrews 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.”

Reminds me that Jesus himself understands my struggles.

Jeremiah 29:13-14 “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

(Reminds me that even when I feel like I am in a million pieces, God is with me and will being me back to wholeness.)

7. How can my readers stay connected with you?

Readers can go to my website and subscribe to my email list for a monthly newsletter of healing tips and strategies. They can also like Healing in Motion, LLC on Facebook and follow Healing in Motion on Instagram.

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Information overload in the best way right?! Daniela is not only full of experience, but also filled with God’s wisdom. You can see why I’ve kept her close after all these years! 😉 In the comments below, let me know which strategies you have used to incorporate healing in your life.