LIFESTYLE
Creating a Roadmap to a Healthier You serif and script typography accompanied by a winding dashed line
By Renee Machel
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re you someone who gets superb results with patients or clients but puts yourself on the back burner? In this profession, we often lose ourselves in the service of others. In addition, reprioritizing your needs is uncomfortable, awkward and, at best, can feel like a clunky effort. And so we think, let’s stay hidden, let’s put others out front.

A few things have to happen to break that cycle. First, you have to give yourself permission—because even if others give it to you, it’s not until you believe it for yourself, through yourself, that there is a shift.

Second, you have to be ready. And there’s no timeline for how long that might be—a month, a year, a good sleep—just start cultivating that internal infrastructure. What will it take? What might you lose? What might you gain? How do you function? Preparing for the lifelong marathon of managing and navigating your own health and well-being in an aging body and in a demanding profession is not easy.

Are you a one-day-at-a-time person? Think of people who choose to stay sober. They make that choice every single day, and even throughout the day. This journey is no different. There will be temptations that spark with certain triggers, and when your resilience is testing and your personal resources are depleted, you will be challenging your previous default.

Defaulting to fast food or being a couch potato when you are in a state of distress? Take time to ponder how you can reset that default. What logistics have to be in place for you to get off that couch and begin getting your body condition to improve, slowly but surely? What would need to happen in moments of worry for you to lift the dumbbells instead of the bag of chips? As we age (no matter your sex, but absolutely for the nearly 90% of women in this field), building strength to prevent injury and illness later on is paramount.

Let’s say you’ve got your nutrition and body condition plan in your mind’s eye—your vision—and even better if you have it written down on paper. Now it’s time to experiment. Add stuff in, take stuff out, do more of this, less of that. Keep leveling up. It’s not one thing, like most things in life, it’s a recipe. Consult professionals if and when it’s time.

The following questions are designed to illuminate the path forward, but there are no wrong answers and there is no single right answer. Take time to pause and reflect before answering.
What does “healthy” mean to you?
What would success look and feel like in three months? In one year?
What have you already tried? What worked? What didn’t?
When do you find it hardest to stick to your plan?
What are the top three habits that are supporting your health goals? Which three are getting in the way?
How do you usually respond when you fall off track? How soon do you get back on?
What beliefs do you hold about your ability to manage your health?
How do you talk to yourself about your body and your progress? And are you ready to change that to support your needs?
Who do you want to become in this journey?
What’s one small change you could commit to consistently for seven days?
How will you measure progress beyond just the scale or the scrubs?
What will help you stay on track when motivation dips?
What resources do you have at your disposal?
How will you know when your approach is becoming too rigid or stressful?
What do you need from those around you or your coach or professional to feel most supported?
What’s the story you’ve been telling yourself about your body or health?
What fear might be holding you back from fully committing?
At the end of the day, lasting health isn’t about strict diets, chasing perfection, or even the quick fixes—it’s about making consistent, empowered choices that support your well-being. Start small, stay curious and get back on track when you inevitably stray. It’s time to focus of you!
headshot of Renee Machel
Renee Machel is a nationally recognized wellbeing speaker, certified life coach, CYT 200 yoga instructor, mindfulness, and meditation guide. As the co-founder of Get MotiVETed she aims to provide a positive impact on people’s wellbeing and enhance the culture within organizations of vetmed. She has spent nearly 20 years in the veterinary industry as a hospital leader and technician. She shares her personal story of overcoming wellbeing struggles along with key teachings in managing both personal and professional development.
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