About

VitalSelf is a health and wellness company providing holistic health, nutrition and life coaching, yoga classes, health & wellness programs and workshops. We work with busy professionals and moms (individuals, groups and companies) in the Washington, DC Metro area and world-wide who desire to have a healthy, happy and vital life!

VitalSelf services emphasize key personal wellness areas, including: reducing stress, increasing energy, eating healthier, breaking through emotional barriers, gaining clarity and increasing overall vitality! VitalSelf aims to empower clients to live passionate and fulfilling lives by balancing career, relationships, nutrition, physical fitness and spirituality.

We are available for wellness workshops, and seminars. We meet with clients in person or via the phone or skype. Our offices are located in Arlington and Alexandria (Delray), Virginia.

Amy Arnold, HC, RYT, RM
President and Founder

I have not always been healthy and balanced.

In reality it’s something I work at daily. Fortunately, I have found a way to make healthy living a way of life, look forward to every day and I want to help you EMPOWER YOURSELF, FOR LIFE!

 

In order to understand a little about who I am and why my experiences and expertise can help you achieve health, balance, wellness, AND your dreams, I would like to share with you a little about me.

My Path to Wellness:
I’ve been on the wellness path for quite a few years and came to this profession out of passion, curiosity and love of life. With a 25 year history of emotional eating, I had gained and lost over 400 pounds. There were several significant events in my life that I believe contributed to this challenging issue – 1) my parents divorce, 2) moving frequently as a child, and 3) my Mother passing away at a very young age. I’m unable to pinpoint any of these events as the single driver for my unhealthy way of dealing with emotions and food, but I know that they all contributed to internal void that I felt most of my life. Whenever I felt lonely, sad, stressed or uncertain, I turned to food. For me, food was comfort. I needed to identify the triggers that led to my emotional eating; and develop a healthy relationship with food. Luckily, I did identify the triggers and re-established my relationship with food. I now appreciate the nourishment and pleasure that it brings to my life.

RUNNING AT A CORPORATION ON PURE ADRENALINE
After 16 years at America Online (AOL), I was an executive with a lot of responsibility and I was burnt out! I loved my job, my team and the ride was amazing, but the ups and downs had taken their toll on my health. Driven by the adrenaline rush, I lost sight of what is really important. In the crazy pace of corporate life, I was losing myself…physically and spiritually.

THE WAKE UP CALL
The adrenaline addiction was killing me. I found that getting up in the morning was quite difficult, I was experiencing blackouts during meetings, had candida, and had a very hard time concentrating. A motorcycle accident several years before had created several challenges including several herniated discs in my neck and low back and knee issues, but I thought after much physical therapy and time, I should have been in better health at that point. I didn’t know what was happening to me, but I knew I needed a break.

RETREAT and REFIT
I took a sabbatical; traveled, exercised daily, studied, meditated & hung out with family and friends. At the end of 7 weeks, I knew it was time for a life change. While leaving AOL was difficult, it was the right decision… I faced a personal mid-life challenge at age 42 and turned it into an opportunity. In doing so, I’ve reconnected with myself and my life is much fuller in every way, than ever before!

FOSTERING MY NATURAL SKILLS SET
I have always been a good listener, had the desire to help others and others have always come to me for advice and support. I have always felt that at my core, I was a healer. Experiencing the zest for life resulting from my journey to wellness and balance, I wanted to help others achieve the same. It was time to realign my work-life goals.

MY VISION
That people from all walks of life have the tools they need to prevent sickness and disease and live a happy, healthy vibrant life.

MY TRAINING
Certified Health & Nutrition Counselor, American Association of Drugless Practitioners

Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) and Columbia University, NYC.

Graduate of Anthony Robbins Mastery University and Leadership Training

Individual and Group Coach training from Coach Training Alliance (CTA) – ICF Accredited

Certified Yoga Teacher – Nosara Yoga Institute in Costa Rica – registered by the Yoga Alliance Organization (Interdisciplinary Yoga – 200 hours – base is Hatha Vinyasa Flow yoga)

Certified Zumba Level 1 Instructor

Certified Trance Dance & Tantric Shamanism Facilitator, completed certification in Guatemala through Journey to the Heart

Certified Quantum-Touch Practitioner

Certified Reiki III Master/Teacher Level, Usui Shinpinden, The International House of Reiki

Certified Oneness Trainer, Oneness University, Fiji & India — The Oneness Blessing brings a sense of calmness, clarity and the feeling of Oneness with everyone and everything.

Bachelor of Science from Radford University in Radford, Virginia

PERSONAL
I love yoga, hiking, biking, motorcycling, yoga, Zumba, dancing, swimming, climbing, weight training, the outdoors, sunrises, sunsets, quite moments, great food, laughing, great jokes, hugging, learning, contributing, walking my dogs, spending time with my friends and family and traveling!

I’m currently working to reverse disc challenges in my body – I am confident that I will do this and my discs and body will feel more vibrant than ever. I plan on blogging my experience as I believe it will help many people with neck and low-back disc issues.

I remind myself to embrace every day as though it were my last! I surround myself with supportive people who share my passion for life. ;-)

Life …Live it, Love it!

Amy

Amy Arnold
President & Founder