be. In the Spotlight: A Day in the Life of Certified Coach Laura de Leon
by Chere Harbridge
Name: Laura de Leon
Where you live: North Andover, Massachusetts
Occupation: Associated Director, Clinical Operations (Oncology) and Holistic Health Coach
Describe your average daily menu?
I vary my diet quite a bit, day to day and season to season. In general, I usually blend up a green smoothie in the morning– especially now that I have a Vitamix! And I’ve taken to chia seed pudding with almond milk, a touch of maple syrup, a dollup of a raw nut butter, blueberries and banana. Lunch is typically a big ol’ salad or dinner leftovers, and dinners can be a nice soup (love carrot ginger) or a plate of veggies, gluten-free grain and a little protein like wild salmon, sprouted tofu, or free-range chicken or turkey. I snack on raw organic nuts and seeds, fruit, and chocolate!
How do you usually start your day?
I set my alarm for 5 minutes before I should get up and in my mind, I go through some of the things I appreciate. I find that being grateful each day, first thing in the morning, really sets my focus and state of being. After that I grab some lemon water and start moving my body.
What are your best tips for boosting your self-confidence when you’re feeling low?
Talking to a true friend or a health coach! Chatting with someone who believes in you, maybe more than you believe in yourself, lifts the spirit.
Who most inspires you and why?
All people. More specifically, human potential. I look around and see things in people that amaze me – their abilities and contributions. Those who give selflessly are the most beautiful, inspiring things on this planet. That’s why I want to help people thrive, so they can shine!
What unusual things do you keep in your purse?
Maybe not so unusual anymore but I don’t go anywhere without my little bag of essential, essential oils. 🙂 At minimum I carry Peace & Calming, Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint and Thieves (Young Living brand).
If you’re married or in a relationship: Where did you meet your spouse/partner?
On the softball field. We played for fun on our company’s team. We both worked for the same employer as part of the pharmaceutical industry. What’s great is while I stayed with the industry, I convinced him to quit because it was clear to me even after just a few weeks of getting to know him, that what he was doing was NOT his passion. I don’t think he’s looked back since, but I am glad he was there to begin with. 🙂
What do you believe is most holding women back from having the health, confidence and life they really desire?
This question makes me very emotional! What holds women – and most people for that matter – back is unique to the individual of course, but with ~3,000 media messages a day coupled with the influences of others, especially loved ones who want the “best” for us, one has to swim against a very strong current to stay true to themselves and to feel, to KNOW, that they are enough just the way they are. If a woman has gone through life as the good daughter, sister, friend, wife and mother, as the role she is “meant to play”, she may just need to be heard.
Of course, there are fears and anxieties that we all have which also hold women back. This is where I focus. I want to see women who have fears (particularly around cancer) to face them, to be more comfortable with uncertainty and vulnerability, to make choices based on love, and to realize that she is good enough and beautiful just the way she is. This is all necessary in order to live the life we were meant to live. This is not easy, but there are others out there (including me!) whose passion it is to guide women on this very path. We need to find people who lift us up and inspire us to live a healthy, happy and fulfilling life, and in doing so make the world a better place.
Do you believe in your dreams? Will you share one with us that you’re currently trying to manifest in your life?
Is this a trick question? Of course! My most salient dream right now is to become an Executive Health Coach full time and to work with women who are concerned about developing breast cancer or who are diagnosed I am passionate about this work and want to positively and directly influence the lives of these women. After working for over 12 years in the pharmaceutical industry (6 on cancer research) and seeing first hand what women face, I am absolutely thrilled and honored to be doing this.
Do you have a favorite recipe you’d like to share with us?
I love a simple raw salad with jicama, tomato, cucumber and olives. I usually top it with broccoli sprouts, sea salt and pepper.
What do you do to restore your batteries when you’re feeling worn out/overwhelmed?
Exercise. I love to move my body and I find that it’s the easiest way for me to hit the “reset” button. I don’t have any typical routine. As with food, I like to switch it up often. I enjoy doing crazy cardio workouts like Insanity or P90X when I’m feeling up to it, and I also like to jog, do yoga, free weights, kickbox or follow little routines on my Popsugar Fitness app on my phone.
Is there anything about yourself you’d like to work on or improve that you don’t mind sharing with us?
I have a fear of failure which I know does not serve me. Intellectually I know that failure is necessary and actually guides us in the right direction. I was a competitive student and a “Type A” employee and just recently broke out of that mold. My perspective is right, and now I’m working on thinking big, showing up, and being vulnerable.
What’s the last book you read?
I’m finishing up two right now: 1. “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie, and 2. “The One Minute Millionaire” by Mark Victor Hansen and Robert G. Allen.
What’s the last fruit you ate? Blueberries
When was the last time you spoke with your mother?
April 2008, the day she passed away. 🙁 She was only 58, and had multiple myeloma. She was the main reason why I decided to work in oncology research.
3 things you’d do with the money if a $1000 landed on your head from the sky.
Is there such a thing as a $1000 bill?! First I would look for the rightful owner (assuming it flew in from someone else). If/once I became convinced that it magically manifest from the sky and was intended for me, I would kiss it. Then, I would go to the ATM or the bank and deposit it. I have twin girls who are 4 and go to a Montessori school. The money would go for their tuition next year!
Tell us more about what you’re involved in right now.
Reaching out to the women I will help. I have been going to local establishments like my favorite organic farm in Hamilton, MA (shout out to Green Meadows!), natural foods stores, and the YMCA, to set up workshops and events.
Why is this important to you – what drives you to do what you do?
What drives me when I wake up in the morning is knowing that I could help a woman who may be afraid or uncertain, see things more clearly for herself, and to believe in and love herself enough to make decisions that will positively impact her health and well being, and in turn, the health and well being of her loved ones.
Laura de Leon is a gal-next door, hard-working, people loving, enthusiastic lady. She is the mother of twins, a wife, a daughter, a sister, and most importantly, a good friend. She is interested in others, in their unique abilities and contributions, and she knows the power and potential in each of us. She wants to see you thrive.
After 12 years working on clinical trials in the pharmaceutical industry (6 on cancer research) and earning an advanced degree in Health Product Regulation and Health Policy, she knows a bit about the healthcare system and how cutting edge therapies are born. More than 5 years ago, after a day spent reviewing patient medical charts, she realized that something was amiss in the lives of these patients, and in her own perspective on health and on life. That night, she felt lost and scared. Somewhere along the way of pursuing degrees and climbing the corporate latter, she forgot who she was. Everywhere she looked, there were messages telling her what to do, how to look, where to go, and what will probably happen to her health based on risks. Laura understood that life and health are full of choices and she felt strongly against making any choices from a place of fear. But how?
With health issues of her own, marriage trouble, kids on the way, and a stressful schedule, she decided to make a shift. She signed up for help from a holistic health coach, and registered to take a program to become one of her own. She understood the value of eating well and exercising, but most of all, she was committed to facing her fears and getting honest. She needed the support of a coach to keep her inspired and on track.
It hasn’t been easy, but she hasn’t looked back since. Through her own journey to health and authenticity, her experience being coached, and in taking programs such as those offered at Body Enlightenment, she fully embraces healthy living in all ways of being. Simple solutions and a supportive, uplifting lifestyle became her truth and fulfillment. Today, her purpose is to inspire and guide you in the same direction.
You can contact Laura by going to her website here – or emailing her at [email protected].