Deanna Mandichak, PT, Health Coach

by Marie Harger |

Many of us have heard Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity, doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. If a change in your life is needed either because you want it for yourself or your doctor has recommended it, how can you move forward to a positive end and do that something different? Even if the change is wanted the motivation, resources, and support are often lacking. Deanna Mandichak is a health coach and Physical Therapist whose job is to coach, consult, counsel, encourage, motivate, problem solve, assist in removing obstacles and support her client in moving towards their personal goals to reach optimum health.

Deanna grew up in southern California and went to Cal State Long Beach, majoring in Physical Therapy. At 25 she married and moved to Reno to have a family and enjoy the easy access to skiing. Today her family life is busy with three children all under 10.

With an interest in science, Deanna knew she wanted to help people live better and be healthier. She was fascinated by the human body, which is what drew her to the field of Physical Therapy. She has worked for 17 years in outpatient orthopedics and women’s health. Through this work she began to wonder why some people would get certain illnesses or suffer pain and have difficulty recovering and others would progress in therapy and heal.

She was most interested in prevention, and felt discouraged by western medicine’s approach to health.

Deanna was further motivated by the loss of her mother and aunt to cancer, and how their medical doctors could not help them. She undertook some self-training and education on prevention, and achieving health with the guidance of a naturopathic doctor. During her research, she learned about “Life and Health coaching” as a new and growing arena to help people take control of their own health and achieve their goals. It also allowed her to address and alleviate some of her own health issues. She enrolled in a Coaching school and became certified. Currently, she uses these skills with physical therapy patients and individual coaching clients.

When working with Deanna there is an initial 60 to 90 minute consultation. She often works with doctors who have diagnosed a patient with a disease or chronic illness, to help coach them in making lifestyle changes needed to maintain or improve their health and reach the goals the doctors have prescribed. She also collaborates with professionals in other fields or practices that involves a client in need. In the consultation process she interviews the clients and draws out important answers to limitations.

Services of a coach include delving into issues, discovery of obstacles, problem solving to reach goals. After many available packages, Deanna sets up the guidelines for help, with a face to face meeting once a month, as well as twice a week contact, either by phone or email and a weekly newsletter.

What makes Health Coaching unique is it takes health care to a new level by approaching it from a different angle to give the power back to the individual, patient and client and resolve issues that prevent them from optimum health. This process is very hands-on, and through various exercises one stays on track, via written goals and dates to reach them.

The benefits are many. You will develop self confidence, lose weight, get physically fit, receive relief from ailments, feel empowered, reduce stress, eliminate bad habits, and take control of your health and life, all with the guidance of a Health coach. Having your health means being able to manage pain, stress, weight, illness and to boost immunity and have overall well-being. The ultimate goal is you aspire to have the life your deserve.

The greatest satisfaction for Deanna comes with seeing her clients’ success. Through this process, even when it gets tough, clients tend to respond with enthusiasm because they know deep down they need to make these changes. She is 100% committed to her clients by designing a program that works, and by making adjustments when necessary. She is their coach, there to help them “Self-manage” their condition and to motivate changes to improve health for the long-haul. Stop insanity, don’t continue down the same old path with the same old defeating patterns. Do something different and make that needed change, hire a Health coach and reach your health goals today.

For more info, contact Deanna Mandichak, Physical Therapist, Health Coach at (775) 853-5444.