Q: What made you decide to become a Critical-Care Registered Nurse?
DS: I graduated nursing school in the mid-eighties. The nursing shortage was not prevalent and getting a job was difficult. I took the first job that gave me a chance to prove myself and learned the foundation of my career on a very busy Family Practice Unit. At that time, I was taking care of 13 patients and wanted to spend more quality time with them and their families. I just turned 21 and wanted more of challenge. I wanted to sharpen my nursing skills and take care of more critical patients. At first, I wanted to be NICU nurse, but the hospital where I was working was not taking any new graduates into their unit. I was so impressed by the ICU and CCU nurses that took care of grandparents and it peaked my interest. They were so knowledgable and were able to care for them with compassion and great skill. I wanted to honor my grandparent’s memory and pay it forward to other families. Taking care of both the patient and their family at their most critical and vulnerable time of their journey is truly and honor. I made a lot of family connections throughout my career and hold them in my heart. 

Q: Can you share with our audience some history about your health that led you to seek natural solutions?
DS: I was in the medical field and I was sick. I sought treatment to help my situation and seemed to be worse than better.  I had severe colic as a baby and have been plagued with digestive issues, environmental and food allergies, arthritis for as long I can remember. I have had a love-hate relationship with food.  I love food, but for some reason, it doesn't like me!  I would either be inflamed or allergic to what I was putting in my body. I was consuming six to eight Advil tablets a day to manage the pain.  I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia after a car accident. The pain and inflammation I had was real. I did not or could take the prescribed medication due to the many side-effects I experienced. I knew that had to be a better alternative. This journey lead me to seek natural solutions for my health. For me, traditional remedies did not serve my body.  I was seeking to find solutions to feel better, release weight and improve my overall well-being. This pursuit for better health led me to seek out natural solutions, dōTERRA essential oils and the Institute for Integrated Nutrition (IIN). Today, I feel better and lost weight in the process!! The weight came off naturally, without starvation and depravation. Over the years, I have seen the effects of poor lifestyle and side effects from prescription and over-the-counter medications. It can be devastating to the human body. I believe we need to be proactive about our health and not reactive. Today's healthcare mindset leans towards a "pill for every ill" and is often viewed as "sick-care" instead of providing health and wellness.  A holistic, natural approach to our well-being offers one a safer, less expensive and can be more effective than traditional remedies. Blending and balancing modern medicine and holistic/natural medicine is the best of both worlds. 

Q: Tell us about some of the training you’ve had as a Health Professional.
DS: I graduated from Valencia College with an Associate Degree in Nursing. I studied and practiced adult family medicine, women's health, post-partum nursing and critical care nursing.  I've been certified in CPR, Advanced Cardiac Life Support and various critical care courses. Throughout my nursing career I've had the pleasure to be a preceptor/mentor to students and new team members and served as an assistant head nurse.  I've opened nursing units, centers of excellence and educated the community on cardiovascular disease. I was honored when I was nominated to be "Nurse of the Year" early on in my career.  I've cherished my time at the bedside, caring for patients and their families. My career evolved into healthcare marketing where I managed a large women's health membership program, along with managing several high-profile health events that targeted family care. After I moved away from the traditional healthcare model, I became certified in Reiki I and II and the ARōMATOUCH Technique. In 2015, I became certified as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach from the Institute of Integrated Nutrition.  

Q: What happened that created a path to your company … Be Well with Deanna Snyder?
DS: During those 30 years in a structured corporate healthcare arena, I felt like I was missing something. And, due to a car accident, I was unable to practice nursing in a traditional hospital setting. I loved patient care, empowering patients with knowledge, and wanted to serve my community. I was given the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and reinvent myself. I wanted to help people take back their health in a proactive approach. I discovered doTERRA’s essential oils and the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. The culmination of my nursing background and a desire to empower families to take care of themselves was a perfect synergistic blend of doing what I love. Everything we put on and in our bodies is either fighting or fostering dis-ease in our bodies. I believe that educating people is key to vitality. When you know more, you can do more!  

Q: Can you tell us more about your approach as a Health Coach?
DS: My approach as a health coach is based on individuality. Our bodies are unique and different. Like a snowflake or fingerprint, no two are identical. What is good for me, may not be good for someone else and vice versa. Our bio-individuality makes us who we are. Not every diet works for everyone. The book shelves are filled with all kinds of diet books. Our time together will determine what is right for that person. I am honored to walk along side my clients as they discover what works for them. I do this by crowding out old habits and replacing them with natural, safe and effective alternatives. 

Q: What's the greatest fear you've had to overcome to get where you are today? 
DS: We all have fears. Are we good enough? Do our opinions matter? Will I fit in? I have learned to be true to myself. Not everyone is going to like me. Not everyone opinion of me will I like. That’s okay. I heard this statement from several thought leaders, “Your opinion of me is none of my business.” It was one of those moments where it clicked. Knowing that I strive to be kind and do the right thing is what matters most to me. 

Q: What’s one lesson you’ve learned in your career that you can share with our audience?
DS: I’ve learned to believe in myself. To be true to my beliefs and to be my authentic self. My clients are on their own journey of self-discovery. I honor that. You can only be you and no one else.  

Q: Which woman inspires you and why? 
DS: I have always been drawn to Eleanor Roosevelt and her powerful quotes. She was so far ahead of her time. My two favorite quotes are “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams,” and “With a new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” We have the power to heal our bodies and each day is a new chance to do so. 

Q: What are some of the challenges you feel women face today?
DS: Women (and men) strive for work-life balance. If you look at balancing scale, in order to make it even, both sides have to be even. That means, somethings will need to be removed or added depending on what side of the scale you are on. We have to choose what we want and what we can let go. We are not superwomen. The media and TV portray some unrealistic characteristics. We need to know what matters to us and our families. There are seasons for everything. Being flexible is key. Stress is a powerful disruptor the body. If left to do its harm, it can wreak havoc. I recommend doing more of what brings you joy to offset the day to day. I often ask my clients… Do you have a joy list? If not, make one! And, I recommend visiting that joy list at least three times a week. 

Q: What advice would you give to young women who want to succeed in the workplace?
DS: Just be you. Everyone else is taken. 

Five Things About Deanna Snyder

1. If you could talk to one famous person past or present, who would it be and why? 
Eleanor Roosevelt. 

2. What do you do in your spare time?  
I love spending time with my husband, our fur-baby Ms. Phoebe, family and friends. We enjoy going to movies and being outdoors. I love to paint with watercolor, do DIY craft projects and listen to music.  

3. Is there something else you would like to accomplish?
To empower more people to use natural solutions and eliminate the toxins in their lives. 

4. Whose’ your favorite TV or Movie star?  
I love to laugh. I enjoy watching comedy shows. My favorite sitcom is F.R.I.E.N.D.S. 

5. What inspires you?  
People being kind to one another.