Health Coaching

 Hello, I am Jo-Ann Inguanta.  After years of trying to balance a busy career as an early childhood special educator and being a wife and mother of two children, I went on for years living with chronic stress causing my health to go on a downward spiral.  By the age of just 38, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, psoriasis/eczema, pre-diabetes, pre-hypertension, high cholesterol, food and environmental allergies, and asthma. I struggled with symptoms of chronic fatigue, brain fog, depression, insomnia, joint pain, arthritis, hormonal imbalances, inflammation, and I was overweight. I was already prescribed several medications which was unacceptable to me and was not how I wanted to live the rest of my life.

This is when my health journey began, I decided something needed to change and that there had to be a better way. I spent the following 5 years doing countless hours of research determined to find the answers to help myself. I made some progress on my own by eating a Paleo diet, however I still was suffering and not getting the results that I needed. I felt overwhelmed, frustrated, scared, and alone. If I had worked with a health coach,  I would have had the support and guidance to help me know how to manage my stress and get the help that I needed sooner than I realized on my own. 

At the age of 43, I was lead to Functional Medicine wanting to discover my root causes of my health problems and achieve the optimal health and vitality that I deserved. Through advanced testing, I learned that I had a gut infection with dysbiosis, a leaky gut, and many food sensitivities that were driving my autoimmunity, inflammation, and chronic health conditions. Through a Functional Medicine approach, I was able to transform my health through diet, lifestyle, and supplementation.  

Through my personal health and wellness journey,  I have become very passionate about raising awareness and wanting to help others on their journey. I was compelled to become a health coach knowing that my personal experience with health challenges, advocacy, knowledge, meal planning, and stress management strategies could help so many people with chronic health conditions, autoimmunity, and hormone imbalances. I focused my intentions and took action on my calling and became a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach!  

I received my health coach training from the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy, which is a collaborative of the Institute of Functional Medicine. I am trained to use a client-centered coach approach consisting of positive psychology, character strengths, and mind-body techniques to guide lasting behavior change in the areas of  Sleep and Relaxation, Exercise and Movement, Nutrition, Stress, and Relationships.  I am also trained in the Functional Medicine Matrix and Dietary Plans.

In addition, I have 27-years of experience as a special educator working with children with developmental delays, ADHD, autism, medical conditions, and physical disabilities providing support, education, and resources to families. I hold a bachelor's degree in Child Study from St. Joseph’s University, New York and a master's degree in Early Childhood Intervention & Family Support from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.  Blending my experience as a wife, mom of two children, and special educator, I am also passionate about helping clients make healthy lifestyle changes within their family.