It’s hard to believe that it’s July! It seems as though we just started the summer yesterday, but now we are halfway through the summer and are starting to stare down the start of the 2025-26 school year!  Also, does anyone else feel old looking at those years?!

I have spent A LOT of time this summer trying to schedule routine doctor’s appointments for not only myself, but also for my three children and even my two dogs and cat.  As a family with several genetic risk factors for chronic conditions, we value primary prevention and prioritize these appointments so we can stay ahead of things.  July is National Minority Health Awareness Month and I have had several opportunities to speak with individuals about the gaps in our healthcare system.  My hope is by having these conversations, we will create the change we so desperately need to see in our nation’s healthcare, as well as help our community find resources to improve access and treatment.  

I am so grateful to have interviewed Delicia Potter, seventh grade English teacher extraordinaire at a local Huntsville private school.  Delicia exudes joy and happiness, but what you don’t realize at first glance is she has been battling lupus for years.  Delicia tells her story of navigating her diagnosis, advocating for her care, and the challenges she has faced.  Admittedly, as one of her best friends, I am biased, but as a health professional, I believe that everyone needs to watch this interview.  Click here to watch it on my brand new Creekside Health Coaching YouTube Channel.

I was also fortunate to interview Joy Thorpe, Assistant Director of The Cove Childcare and Preschool and the Founder of Juke&Juice, Madison and its surrounding areas’ newest movement…advocating for movement!  Juke&Juice is an inclusive event promoting “movement is medicine”, welcoming anyone and everyone to come together, move their bodies to incredible music, refresh with all-natural juices, while listening to a power break speaker from the health and wellness industry.  When asked about her inspiration for Juke&Juice, Joy said it was inspired by her experience teaching in the two year old classroom.  “I noticed that my health affected how I was in the classroom.  If I didn’t get enough sleep, was stressed, or didn’t eat well, I was not as effective as a teacher.  The kids were the same kids I taught when I took care of myself and had good days, so I realized that my health was in my control and my class deserved my best”.  Joy also talked about being a good role model for her classroom- “we are responsible for these kids and we’re not even being active participants in our own lives”.  

“We are responsible for these kids and we’re not even being active participants in our own lives”.  

Joy wants Juke&Juice to provide resources and awareness for both early child education teachers and parents to support themselves, so they can support and raise our future generation.  Her experience as a former childcare center owner, a parent, teacher, and now assistant director gives her a comprehensive view of how children learn, and that is by observing others.  Joy’s goal is for this event to be a fun way to encourage families to start incorporating more movement into their lives and building more healthy habits.  Juke&Juice is open to all ages and abilities.  The music is provided by Deaf DJ Kay Kutz-Joy would love to include an ASL interpreter as well!  

I asked both Delicia and Joy what message they would like the audience to remember and they both said the same thing: “when it comes to your health, do what works for you.  Do your own research.  Ask questions and make sure you get answers”.  Joy added, “start where you are and keep starting over as many times as you need to gain momentum to make impactful changes”.  As a health coach who strives to help clients build success and momentum, I couldn’t agree more!

“Start where you are and keep starting over as many times as you need to gain momentum to make impactful changes”.

In an effort to make taking care of ourselves more accessible, I have been writing an e-book this summer!  It’s called “Putting Your MASK on First” and it is a playbook on how to take care of yourself using my MASK method.  This project is dedicated to anyone with a servant heart, who continues to pour from an empty cup and maybe chips away at the cup itself to keep providing for others.  In order to continue to help those around us, we must take care of ourselves and MASK provides sustainable strategies on how to do this.  

If you would like a FREE sneak preview of MASK, please use this link to request a copy.

If you would like to pre-order a copy of MASK at a discounted price, click here.  The book should be completed by early September at the latest.