Coach Cindy (aka Dr. P) has been an active general and bariatric surgeon for more than two decades. Her favorite reward from this work has been witnessing patients who really "got it" and were empowered to make amazing positive changes in their lives.

Unfortunately, when we're under unremitting or severe life situations, our nervous system and physiology get stuck in a state of chronic defense which prevents our ability to make the best decisions for ourselves (and to heal). "I know what I'm supposed to be doing. I'm just not doing it," is a sentence she's said herself more times than she'd like to admit. Although it's common to feel inner shame related to an inability to align actions with intentions, what Dr. P realized was that biology was behind this phenomenon — NOT willpower. Today she shares that message via speaking engagements and tailored workshops.

Although she loves interacting with her patients and performing robotic surgeries, in recent years she also found herself in deep "burnout" (a physiologic state of the nervous system). Within her professional realm, she felt profoundly alone as well as mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted at the end of every single day. She found it more and more difficult to suppress the frustration and ignore the vague pervasive sense of dissatisfaction.

This years' long journey of clawing her way out of burnout eventually led, inexplicably and serendipitously, to Polyvagal Theory and subsequently The Somatic School. She felt the certainty in her body that this was exactly what she needed — to reconnect her own body, mind, and spirit while honoring her core values: Integrity, Insight, and Service.

Her whole body Presence and compassion create the safe space for others to access their own internal light. "This is my greatest joy — witnessing that light and supporting truly aligned health in others."

The ORIGINAL coaching business name "When All Else Fails…(listen to the patient)" harkens back to her medical school days. It was a tongue-in-cheek sarcastic comment about the over-reliance of the modern medical profession on tests and imaging. It was intended to draw attention back to the place where the real answers lie . . . to the patient.

Many of us are similarly guilty of looking everywhere outside of ourselves for wisdom, guidance, and answers. But the real truth lies within. So . . .

“When all else fails, … listen Inward.” Let’s use our BODY AS GUIDE!