Health Leadership Award: Student Health Coaches

Jessica McCleskey Hood
As a young teen, I experienced a mild eating disorder, which led to lack of nutrients and brain food, focus issues, and eventually being labeled “ADD.” I took Adderall for 7 years, and then one day, woke up and realized how damaging the medication was to my entire body, mind, heart, and spirit. It was during this time that I ran into some IIN graduates, and I knew, right away, that IIN was my next step in living out my life purpose. I have never had more respect for an educational unit as I do for IIN. I feel it creates the most ideal environment for one’s intrinsic motivation to thrive. Now, five years later, I am medication-free, focused, fulfilled, and 50 pounds lighter.

Deirdre Dorrington
As new dietary trends continued to appear every couple of years, I wondered what, indeed, was the healthiest nutritional plan to be on. America was getting more unhealthy and out of balance, which mirrored my situation and I wanted to learn the tools to shift this. The IIN community helped empower me through my breast cancer experience as I learned to listen to and strengthen my body, mind and spirit.

Kara Martin Snyder
I was part of the last live program in NYC and on Day One I remember thinking, "If we have to sing Kumbaya, I’m out."Turns out, I sat behind a doctor from South America who wanted to incorporate holistic wellness into her practice. I sat in front of a corporate litigator who wanted to transition to food policy lobbying in Washington, D.C. My heart was melted by a big lug of an elementary school principle who was there to explore the food-mood connection. He was sick of disciplining children after their mid-morning sugar crash. How inspiring is that, right?

Cynthia Henrich
I was a very sick mother of two, suffering from anemia, low grade fevers, a lifetime of ulcerative colitis, and had been diagnosed with colon cancer. After two years and fourteen doctors of various specialties, I still had no answers. My illness inspired me to change my life and IIN was a catalyst in facilitating that change. 

Cora Poage
Up until IIN, I felt like the “weird one”, now I feel like one of the gang - and what an amazing, inspiring, and world-transforming gang it is! My advice to future health leaders would be to trust your inner wisdom. You are ready.  You are more than good enough. You have a unique message, mission, and purpose to share with us. The world deserves to hear what you have to say and receive what only you have to give.