A Conversation With: Diane Boyko Achatz

Welcome to this installment of The Wellness Universe’s ‘A Conversation With …’ interview series! Each week, we will feature interviews from some of our amazing WU World Changers so you can learn about who they are as a person, their profession, mission, and their why!’

A Conversation with Diane Boyko Achatz –

Holistic Transformational Health Coach and Founder of Renewed Vitality Health & Fitness Coaching.

The Wellness Universe directory is a resource and community filled with Change-Makers, we call WU World-Changers (Wellness Universe World-Changers). Today we want to introduce you to our member, Diane Boyko Achatz.

1. Hello Diane, will you please tell us about yourself?

I spent over 25 years working for various businesses and corporations in Pennsylvania. After leaving my job with Morgan Stanley, I helped my husband in our plumbing business in California. When we relocated to Pennsylvania in 2009 after our business closed, I worked in retail for almost four years. I decided to give entrepreneurship a try and had several attempts in sales before I realized I didn’t want to sell products. In 2016, I decided to begin a career as a Health Coach and began my training with the Health Coach Institute. I earned three certifications with HCI and will earn my Transformational Health Coach Mastery certification in September 2019. My particular specialization is working with type-2 diabetics, aged 40 and over.

2. Diane, what is it that inspires you?

Diabetes is pandemic, affecting millions of diagnosed and undiagnosed people across the globe. Like other diseases, diabetes doesn’t discriminate, and anyone can develop it. I find inspiration in knowing that as a health coach I have the knowledge and ability to serve as an advocate, especially for those who are prediabetic and unaware that small, sustainable lifestyle changes can prevent diabetes and the complications derived from this disease. Each person I help serves as inspiration and motivation to help another.

3. Will you please tell us what you call yourself and explain what it is that you do?

I am a holistic transformational health coach. I came up with an analogy that explains what I am able to do for people. For example, imagine yourself standing at the entrance to a long, dark tunnel. You can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but the pathway isn’t clear. You can see your health and fitness goals waiting for you but you’re not sure you know the way.

I light your way and help clear the path to those goals. With a proven system and support, I serve with your medical team as advocate, cheerleader, and supporter. And like any good coach, I dish out some tough love, as needed. I commit to helping you reach your goals, and you commit to providing the necessary accountability along the way.

4. How exactly does that help someone?

Receiving a diagnosis of diabetes can cause a whole laundry list of emotions, anything from fear of what’s going to happen, to what could happen if you don’t face the challenge ahead. Your doctor gives you a directive to follow, but they don’t go home with you. Doctors trust you to follow the orders, but you have to comply.

You may or may not have a support system in place to aid you. A health coach provides details of how to navigate your way to better health and fitness; details that are tailored to your unique needs and circumstance. I customize my programs to each individual client, so they achieve their desired results.

5. Why are you so passionate about helping diabetics over the age of 40?

I’m passionate about that because I know what it’s like. I’ve been there myself and I know what it takes. There’s a lot to be said for working with someone who is experienced in how to achieve what you want.

6. Did any specific life experience prompt you to follow this path?

Absolutely! In January 2015, I was diagnosed with type-2 diabetes, and I was well over the age of 40.  The sad thing about that was I knew what I should have done to prevent it. My dad was diagnosed when he was about 42. I was genetically predisposed to develop diabetes and had been told I was prediabetic. I was overweight with an A1C of 8, suffering with fibromyalgia and totally out of shape. An A1C (a 3-month average of blood glucose levels) over 6 means you’re diabetic.

I was able to lose 70 pounds and bring my A1C down to 5.3 over a six-month period and I also began a regular exercise and weight training routine. I was fortunate to have the support of my husband and an online weight-loss group, but for the most part, I was doing this by myself. I knew that the excuse of “I’m too old to” didn’t cut it. In June of 2016, I knew if I could help myself, I could certainly help others.  That was the turning point leading to my reinvention as a health coach.

7. How long have you been doing this?

Almost 2 years.

8. Will you share a story of how you have made a difference in someone’s life?

I once had a client who, while saving to buy his own home, was renting a room in someone’s house. He didn’t have kitchen privileges or even a small refrigerator, so grocery shopping and preparing meals was a real challenge for him. Together, we devised a plan he could follow, and as a result, he lost 5% of his body weight in 12 weeks. He even gave up sugary foods and finally gave up drinking diet soda! I was so proud of him because those changes truly made a difference in his health.

9. Thank you so much for sharing today, Diane! Do you have any final thoughts?

Just that if you are ready to make the changes necessary to improve your health, you don’t have to do it all on your own. You rely on professionals in many areas of your life from plumbers, electricians, and contractors to different consultants, so why not rely on a health coach to help you reach your health and fitness goals?

If you would like to connect with Diane please visit: https://www.thewellnessuniverse.com/world-changers/dianeboykoachatz/

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We have created a safe space to discuss this topic with 4 Wellness Universe Experts. Our goal is to help you heal from your emotional trauma and have health, well-being, and joy in your life once this trauma is realized and released. 

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