A BIT ABOUT ME..

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Hey! I'm Cristina, the founder of Relationships and Recovery, a space where spouses and partners who's loved one is struggling with substance use/abuse, is sober or is in recovery come to seek support, find validation, offer encouragement and most importantly connect with others during what can feel like a very isolating, painful, uncertain and confusing time. I'm so glad our paths have crossed!

How It Started:

Four years ago, my life was turned upside down by an unwelcomed guest lurking around my relationship. That unwelcomed guest was my partner's addiction and his underlying depression. I thought at first his drinking patterns were something he'd grow out of *soon*, but I later found out that was far from reality. I knew close to nothing about mental health and even less about addiction. What I knew was that something was off and I was unhappy, but I was in denial that I could ever be in a relationship with someone with a drinking problem. I didn't know the signs, I didn't know where to turn and I didn't know how to protect my energy and my space.

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I'd had enough of the chaos, the confusion, the pain, the caretaking and the slow-fade of myself into nothingness. I had a choice to make...stay and lose myself completely to his addiction, or free myself and give myself a chance to grow and be happy.

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You may be able to guess what route I chose. But if not, yes, I walked away from my relationship to heal myself. No, I'll never tell you that you SHOULD do that, but I'll always support you and challenge you to consider the best next thing for you. And if you're here, you may be looking for some guidance on how to take back YOUR life, and the accountability to make that happen. You're in the right place!

How It's Going:

My partner is 2+ years sober now. Yes, we separated to embark on our own healing endeavors and made our way back to one another, but my recovery journey has really only just begun and that's what this community is all about. It's about OUR recovery.. It's about focusing on our needs, wants, goals, our wellbeing, and shedding the roles we've assumed but that no longer serve us (like being their counselor, their sponsor, their parent, their crutch..everything but an actual partner). 

How I can Help:

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My passion is empowering you to show up for yourself every day, to reconnect with what excites you, to practice self-care (physically and emotionally) to identify and exercise boundaries, to pin point relationship non-negotiables and to ultimately reclaim your life by stepping into your power. For a long time, I neglected my own wants and needs out of fear, out of lack of knowing and out of lack of support. Now, I provide a platform to share, encourage and help you on your own adventure of self-discovery. 

By training, I am Health and Wellness Coach, a Recovery Coach and a Health Educator with a Masters of Public Health.

I come to Health Coaching with personal experience and professional training, and work everyday to promote personal healing, self care and self love through owning our stories, reconnecting with ourselves, setting intentions and setting boundaries. 

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What is Health & Wellness Coaching?

This collaborative partnership is completely client-driven, meaning I walk with you, provide accountability, and help you as you forge your own path forward. My belief is that we all have the answers within us, we just need someone to help bring them out and into the light. Maybe you already have an idea of what you need to do in order to reach your goals, but can't find the motivation or drive. Or maybe you feel completely lost on where to start. Wherever you are, I meet you there and help you clearly define your goals and even dreams, and then set realistic weekly short-term goals to get you closer to your long-term goal. We'll create an action plan and each week revisit what went well and what didn't, tweaking until we find what works for you. As for my credentials, I am certified through the National Wellness Institute & UW-SP, and am eligible to sit for the National Boards Exam through NBHWC to obtain the highest ranking credential of the Health & Wellness Coaching field, the NBC-HWC. I sit for this exam in October! You can learn more about a Health Coaches scope of practice here. 

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What health & wellness coaching is NOT:

Coaching is not counseling or therapy. Therapy is past focused, looking at trauma and processing pain. Coaching is both now and future-oriented, with a focus on where you are versus where you want to be, utilizing actionable steps that YOU came up with to fill that gap. Many of my clients work with a therapist in conjunction with coaching. 

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How I Walk the Talk:

My recovery is all about me, and yours about you because self-care and self-prioritization is not selfish.. it's literally non-negotiable. At the forefront for me are healthy and honest connections/relationships, yummy & fueling foods, emotional fitness (therapy, life coaching,) and movement (CrossFit, Orange Theory). I love to spend summer weekends at the beach, and winter days snuggled up with my peppermint mocha protein shakes, a good book and some Netflix.

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Are you ready to start building better for yourself? I'd love to chat with you to see if Health Coaching with me would be a good fit for you! Send me an inquiry for a free, no-obligation 20 minute consultation!

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