Beautiful Voices is our ongoing blog series that highlights inspiring, empowering women. Our most recent Beautiful Voice is Stephanie Wontorski. See what she says when Annmarie asks her some questions about her own personal beauty.
Stephanie is a Holistic Health Coach at Swell Life, and has extensive knowledge in holistic nutrition, health coaching, and prevention. Her approach to achieving wellness is to identify the root cause of health issues and teaches how all areas of one’s life are connected. Her passion is to help others implement lasting changes that will improve their energy, balance and health.
What was your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge has been dealing with health issues which came about during my first pregnancy. During the last trimester, I developed Preeclampsia and from there post-partum hypothyroidism. A few years later I noticed a nodule on my left thyroid gland, and after a biopsy found that it was producing excessive hormones which led to hyperthyroidism. Dealing with such extreme changes in my health and symptoms, I knew something had to change. Through research and lots of determination, I found the best nutrition and lifestyle changes that worked best for me. After about a year of making these changes, I was able to regulate my thyroid without surgery or medication. With this journey, I’ve since developed a passion for helping other women with similar health problems achieve their optimum health.
Who is your biggest inspiration?
My grandmother is my biggest inspiration. She grew up in the depression era which posed many setbacks and hurdles she had to overcome throughout her life. She started her own business at a very young age—she opened a hair salon and continued her education taking classes and getting her hairdresser license. She raised 3 children and worked very hard to save enough money to build her own home and beauty salon. Today at 90 years old, she is still enjoys working and doing what she loves. I feel that it is her ongoing work ethic, desire to stay fit and healthy, and to help others look their best, have all been factors leading her to continue her life’s passion. I’ve learned so much from her; to work hard, never give up on my dreams and that happiness is a choice we make every day.
Where and when do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I am walking in nature, surrounded by trees, hiking in the mountains, breathing in fresh air. When I am connected to nature, I feel a sense of wellbeing. We spend so much time indoors working and doing our day to day tasks that it is important to get out into nature on a daily basis just to reconnect. It’s somewhat of a form of meditation for me because it is so much easier to be in the present moment.
What do you do when you want to pamper yourself?
I absolutely love using essential oils for uplifting my mood or even placing a few drops in a warm bath for a soothing soak before bedtime. The best thing I can do to recoup after a long work week is to make myself a chamomile tea and draw a bath with some Epsom salts along with a few drops from Annmarie’s line of essential oils. The earthy scent makes stress dissipate almost immediately. I also love to sprinkle a few drops on my pillow at night to breathe in the warming scent.
How does Annmarie’s mission fit into your lifestyle?
I love what Annmarie stands for and her passion for creating products that are truly pure and coincide with my healthy lifestyle. Many skin care and makeup lines have chemicals that disrupt hormones in the body, and because I’ve had thyroid issues, I needed to find a natural skin care line without such ingredients. I truly appreciate that Annmarie has a variety of skin care products that fit anyone’s skin type or need, from cleansers to makeup. The best part is they are made from the best organic ingredients and I feel good about putting them on my skin.
Isn’t she beautiful?
Much Love,
Annmarie Gianni
“Teaching People About Beauty From the Inside Out”
*****
(If you’re interested in being featured as one of our Beautiful Voices, please email us at [email protected].)
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