Today we’d like to introduce you to Diana Guintu.
Diana, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My background consists of being a Licensed Professional Counselor for over 15 years and a corporate health coach for the last 9. I have a Bachelor of Science from Texas Woman’s University and a Master of Education in Counseling from the University of North Texas. Throughout my career, I have worked with individuals dealing with depression, anxiety, relationship/family concerns, chronic conditions and personal development. In addition to my 1:1 coaching services, I also have a passion for motivational speaking. I have been married for 18 years to my husband, who I met at a Denny’s. We have two kids- my son, Ethan 16 years old, and my daughter, Alaina, 11 years.
How I became a self-care expert? I have had to heal and overcome my trauma from childhood sexual abuse, generalized anxiety, an eating disorder, and lastly, postpartum depression. Throughout all my battles- I have been emotionally and personally tested and have had to learn to love and embrace myself despite my external situation. It wasn’t easy, but I thank God, because I have always had this internal fire to fight for a better life.
Though my emotional struggles as a teen and early adulthood were extremely difficult. My biggest fight was finding myself after postpartum depression. This has been the catalyst for where I am today, after an extremely difficult pregnancy and delivery with my firstborn, I lost myself. I lost the fight in me. I was so overwhelmed and worried about being the perfect mother. I was flooded with “shoulds” and “have to’s”. I was lost in doubt and insecurity. I didn’t have clarity or emotional stability and as a result, I lost sight of who I was. I used to be confident and fearless, but something about being a mom stripped it from me. And for the first time in my adult life, I didn’t know what to do. It was as though, I had lost my compass.
As I slowly found myself back, self-care became the catalyst for my healing. It was through the art of learning to prioritize my wellness that I was able to find myself and come back stronger and happier. Today, I find myself in a position to lead and serve. I don’t want women to feel like I did and not have a way out. I am on a mission to help women break free from guilt and shame and feel happier, have deeper connections and love the way they feel in their own skin.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Change and personal growth are never easy. It takes courage to take responsibility for our life. There are always red flags along the way, that we mostly ignore, letting us know we aren’t going the right way. Losing myself cost me my health. I was in chronic pain, overweight and depressed. I thought, if I just pretended that everything was ok, things would get better. They didn’t. I had to make drastic changes in my life. I closed down my private practice and transitioned into the corporate world. I started to exercise, despite my physical pain. I sought professional help and I hired a coach. Lastly, I stopped seeing my wellness as a maybe and started seeing it as a priority. It changed my life.
Please tell us about your work.
I am a self-care expert. I provide 1:1 telephonic coaching to women all over the United States. I help women feel happier, heal from their emotional chaos, and build the confidence they need to create the life they dream of. One thing that sets me apart from other coaches, in the coaching space, is my clinical background of almost 20 years. I have expansive training and experience working with women that equips me to help them truly heal and live their best life.
As a public speaker, I provide keynote speeches and training to women organizations, women retreats and personal development conferences. I am on a mission to help women be their best selves by learning the art of prioritizing themselves. Lastly, I just published my first personal development book, Breaking Free, available on my website listed below.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I was very close to my grandfather and have a very vivid memory of me sitting on his lap, telling him stories while brushing his bald head. He was the one person that could tolerate my long winded stories and would encourage them. I guess, I owe him my ability to tell a good story.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.
dianaguintuspeaks.com - Phone: 214.566.1390
- Email: Diana_counseling@yahoo.
com - Instagram: Www.instagram.com/
dianag_speaks - Facebook: www.facebook.com/
dianaguintu - Other: https://www.facebook.
com/groups/bettermeproject
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