Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiquita Stewart.
Hi Tiquita, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Established May – 2020, Phit4Lyfe Integrative Health Coaching came to fruition and is an acronym that represents Practical Habits Integrated over Time for Living Your Fullest Every day. Founded by Mrs. Tiquita Stewart, a highly accomplished 20 yr military veteran and community health advocate; Phit4Lyfe IHC’s organizational strives to equip individuals with tools, information, and support to become their own wellness expert. Through our authentic and deeply intentional approach we empower others with culturally tailored education, resources, and support required to live a truly fulfilling life.
Recognized as a trusted and impactful chronic disease prevention expert, Mrs. Stewart’s educational background consists of an AS in Exercise Science specializing in Personal Training, BS in Nutritional Science and pending Master’s Degree in Coaching Psychology. Her professional credentials include being a highly recognized and respected National Board Certified-Health and Wellness Coach, Certified Community Health Worker Training Specialist and Certified National Diabetes Prevention Lifestyle Coach (Master Trainer Select).
As one of a few credentialed minority health and wellness coaches within a 60-mile radius of Charleston, SC, Coach Tiquita believes that she has a responsibility to make healthy living attainable, practical and sustainable for underrepresented individuals and communities as they tackle mounting health and wellness disparities daily. She fulfills this need through servant-leadership as the Regional Diabetes Coalition and Community Health Worker Regional Chair; organizing diabetes prevention and management projects in support of the Healthy Tri-County and Diabetes Free SC statewide goals and initiatives.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road that led me to discover my gift of health and wellness coaching; albeit not smooth, helped me discover my superpower and for that I am eternally grateful!
How I came into this profession was through my experience of working with military personnel who were struggling with maintaining military fitness standards and then later finding myself faced with being forced to cut my military career short due to multiple debilitating injuries (dislocated shoulders and multiple bilateral tibia fractures) and compounding health challenges (diagnosed with fibromyalgia and anxiety disorder).
Though I did EVERYTHING I could to reach my then goal of making E-7 (Sergeant First Class in the Army), I was eventually forced to retire. Initially I was lost and felt like a failure. I felt I failed myself, I felt I failed my leaders and battle-buddies and I felt I failed my two boys ages 12 and 15. But I didn’t stay there – I sought help, from my trusted support system and also professional help. And it was through this personal experience that I was able to establish a new identity and focus on ways I could use the skills and passion to empower others in my new life. This led me to complete my AS in Exercise Science and BS in Nutritional Sciences, which I shared with my personal training clients and during community volunteer opportunities.
It was during these times that my husband mentioned to me that the technique I used when working with clients or as a community educator was more in the form of coaching rather than the traditional “educator or personal trainer” where you communicate as the expert and tell versus guide. This encouraged me to look into coaching which I started in 2017. It took me two years to flush out and determine the most reputable and legitimate coaching training and certification program but once I did, I knew I had found my calling and thus my health coaching journey began which was Spring 2019.
As life would have it, just as I was gaining momentum in my coaching program we were all blindsided by COVID-19 but determined to stay the course I applied creativity, innovation and sheer will and was able to complete all training and certification requirements which included traveling from Charleston, SC to Durham, NC for two 3 day in-person trainings and passing a 4-hr exam, earning professional recognition as a Nationally Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach.
Additionally, due to a stable and growth mindset family foundation, I have never viewed being a black female as a barrier to success. However, in certain environments, I have undoubtedly had to overcome both unconscious bias and unfortunately blatant prejudices, but I am neither deterred nor discouraged. Why? Because I operate in the spirit of 1) what is meant for me is meant for me and 2) most people have good intentions. By doing so I have no reservations in helping others freely and accepting help when others offer and this is why Phit4Lyfe Integrative Health Coaching, LLC is able to make the impact we have and will continue to do for our community and the world!
We’ve been impressed with Phit4Lyfe Integrative Health Coaching, LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Phit4Lyfe Integrative Health Coaching (IHC) has far deeper meaning than what meets the eye. An
acronym which represents Practical Habits Integrated over Time for Living Your Fullest Every day, is the philosophy and foundational principles of our brand. Phit4Lyfe IHC was birthed out of my personal account of more than 20 years seeing the military lose highly qualified talent due to physical fitness failures, a lifetime of experiencing the loss of loved ones due to preventable complications of chronic disease, and the increasing employee turnover rates of organizations due to the inability of hardworking individuals everyday health and wellness challenges. Unlike many other health and wellness coaching companies, Phit4Lyfe IHC takes an authentic and deeply intentional approach to equipping clients and corporations with the education, resources, and support required to live a truly fulfilling life.
Through individual and corporate wellness coaching Phit4Lyfe IHC is determined to reduce the surmounting burden of chronic disease and reduce astronomical employee turnover rates among those struggling with barriers to their health and wellness.
Our Mission- To provide affordable, highly effective, and culturally appropriate health coaching services to a wide range of clients across different divides, thus creating healthier individuals, organizations, communities, and an overall strengthened nation.
Mission success is driven by our Core Values which are:
Trust – through consistency and shared experiences
Knowledge – using proven strategies that drive solutions
Integrity – following through on our promises
Optimization – reducing costs while improving performance and productivity
In addition to Integrative (whole-health) Coaching services, understanding the need for diverse representation within the Health and Wellness industry, Phit4Lyfe IHC also provides the following:
Mentorship to those new to the career field of coaching and don’t quite know who their ideal client is we offer collaboration with a seasoned coach that can provide opportunities to launch and or expand their personal brand. Additionally, Having to pivot unexpectedly from a very challenging yet rewarding dream career as an Army Special Operations Intel Analyst and Civil Affairs candidate, I understand what it’s like to feel like a fish out of water and needing to create a new norm. Using all of the lessons I’ve learned both from my military and civilian success, I can be a sounding board and source of wisdom and encouragement for others.
Training & Facilitation for anyone in need of an unbiased third-party facilitator who will design and manage the process of your health and wellness or leadership workshop, conference or health-fair. Offering Team building, Health and Wellness Workshops and Conference Training and Facilitation services, we first address your goals, expectations, interests, current challenges, the power dynamics of the group, and past actions. This can include individual interviews and focus groups to gather perspectives from all members of a team. We then use our facilitation expertise as Master Training Specialist to choose the appropriate methodologies to create curriculum, agenda, and delivery method, which you will co-create and approve prior to execution. The results you can expect are participant driven paradigm shifts, where students walk away informed, transformed and empowered to be catalyst for success.
In addition to being a known for our professional knowledge, expertise and proven outcomes, one of the things I am most proud of is Phit4Lyfe’s IHC servant leadership reputation throughout the State. Not only are we able to command the room amongst C-Suite executives and meet corporate operational goals and milestones, we have become a trusted resource for community members in all things chronic disease prevention and advancing health equity access. Guided by our Core Values, we are able to ensure there is no defining delineation between our corporate efforts and our community efforts ensuring ALL receive services of the highest standard of quality regardless of the economic background of the audience.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Most people don’t know I served in two branches of service. I first joined the US Navy at the age of 17 1/2 serving for 12 years and then entered into the Blue to Green program as an US Army Intelligence Analyst for 8 years completing a 20 year military career.
Presenting very quiet and conservative, I’ve had some really interesting (and sometimes scary) experiences. For example I was imbedded within an all male Special Operations Team for a large civilian extraction operation in Pakistan and worked alongside Pakistani Special Forces providing critical intelligence information and serving as a female liaison between them and the local women and children. For my contribution to the success of this operation, in 2010 I received the prestigious Meritorious Service Medal from 4-Star General Petraeus.
One quote that I came across when I was selected to attend Airborne School and now live by when I am faced with a challenge or opportunity that may seem far reaching is, “Courage is being scared to death – but saddling up anyway!’ ~ John Wayne.
One other thing most people don’t know about me is that I was voted Best Health and Wellness Small Business in Summerville for 2023. It was that Dec and I had so much going on I remember I told my immediate family but that was it.
(Transparency Moment): This opportunity to share my story could not be more timely…I am just now realizing I’ve been really bad about taking time to celebrate Phit4Lyfe’s accomplishments and sharing with my community and potential partners. I’m going to commit to doing better… ;-]
Pricing:
- Corporate Coaching Packages: Range From $75-$125/hr
- Organization Diabetes Coach Training: $250/pp or $450 for a team of 3
- Diabetes Prevention Lifestyle Classes: $25/pp per class (Insurance Accepted)
- Workshops/Trainings/Health Fairs: $350/hr (does not include participant manuals or training materials)
- Mentorship/Professional Development: $25-$50/hr
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.phit4lyfeihc.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phit4lyfeIHC/
- LinkedIn: https://www.phit4lyfeihc.com/
