We were lucky to catch up with Anna Santoro recently and have shared our conversation below.
Anna, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
After getting my feet wet in different careers, such as hospitality, sales, & teaching in a school district, I found myself searching for an avenue that I felt passionate about. I have a undergrad degree in science & have always enjoyed learning. I found a Physical Therapist Assistant program at Mesa College in San Diego and was excited to apply. The program chooses on a lottery system once a year & I was not picked. Determined to attend the program in the fall & not wait, I realized that I needed to retake an anatomy class with the correct lab so I went to summer school (for the first time!) to be prepared to start in the fall. Although I wasn’t in the program, on the first day of class, I showed up early & spoke to the director. I asked her if I could please stand in the back & just listen in in case someone in the program did not show up. She was quite reluctant, I promised I would not ask any questions or disrupt the class & after a little more coaxing, she said ok. I was so pumped just to be in the classroom with a chance to begin my journey to deepen my learning of the body & become a licensed PTA. After roll call, a few people were missing & she would call them to find out the story after class. She let me sit down then & I was getting more excited with each hour passing that I could be in. At the end of the day, some people were not able to attend the program after all & she let me into the program! I was elated to begin my learning about the fascinating human body! I have been a licensed PTA for 12 years now & love it.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?
Aloha! I am Anna Santoro, a San Diego native who has lead an active life through dance & water sports. Growing up, I volunteered serving my community through a mother-daughter philanthropic organization & at a local hospital. Both which I loved; I felt a natural connection & desire to help others who are going through tough times or have been “dealt” challenging human experiences.
While seeking to improve my flexibility from long hours paddling in the ocean, I began practicing yoga & have studied many styles since 2002. Combining my love for fitness & human connection, I became a licensed PTA & enjoy working with a variety of personalities & ages. I am always seeking to learn more about the dynamic body; I studied Yogalign in 2016 which enhances the body’s ability to create strength, length, & agility. And in 2019, I completed a Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization & taping course. Both of these practices assist in optimal postural alignment & core stability, which facilitate a stress & a pain free body.
Drawn to a natural lifestyle, I was introduced to DoTerra essential oils in 2012 & personally experienced their healing benefits. I instantly knew I wanted to share these natural solutions with others. I began sharing one on one, teaching classes online & in person. I love connecting with people from around the world & it’s so empowering to have your own plant medicine cabinet at your fingertips! I thrive on sharing wellness with others & intuitively apply my understanding of the human body uniquely to each individual I work with. I believe that with the use of natural plant medicine, FitAlign, breath & energy work, you can achieve optimal wellness for the body, mind, & spirit.
When I am not working in healthcare, I am a Co-Founder of Changing Tides Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit. Our mission is to empower people women to protect the planet & implement community solutions that promote gender equity, social justice & ocean health. I am on the CTF board & lead the CTF Membership program. Being a life-long surfer, I have shared my greatest passion, surfing, through teaching & coaching since 1999. I enjoy bringing wellness elements into my teachings & breathing confidence into each of my students. I get excited to share surfing tips & tricks I have personally learned over many years in the ocean. Surfing being a dynamic, complicated sport, sometimes it just takes a small adjustment in technique to have experience a large gain in the learning curve.
As you might be able to gather, I am most fulfilled when working with the body on land or frolicking in the sea. I feel most proud gratified when a patient, student, or friend comes back to me & says “I feel better, stronger, happier thanks to your insight & knowledge”. I am so grateful to have my passions be my profession. I am currently building my website: SantoroNaturalWellness.com. So stay tuned or DM me on instagram (@surfchica6) to book a private or listen in on my latest wellness class. Thank you for your interest. I look forward to connecting with you!
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
Listening to the patient; being fully present, they appreciate it! We all have a million things going on in our heads & being a DPT / PTA requires lots of multitasking, evaluating & planning. If we give each individual our undivided attention while they speak about their concerns, they feel heard & happy. And sometimes, no where else is our patient’s lives do they feel heard or happy, unfortunately. I believe this transcends across any job & with any human conversation – active listening, eye contact, ask questions when things are unclear, & communicating back what you hear. Sometimes both perspectives can be misunderstood, so it’s powerful to clarify. Having compassion goes a long way in our industry & in life, continue to remind yourself. I do!
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
Referrals are the best! After you have gained a patient or client who values you & the energy you put into your job, they will want to help you grow & succeed. Ask them to share to their friends about you & what you have to offer. They will be happy to do so! Have a business card or something with your contact to make it easy for them to help you get the word out is really beneficial.
Contact Info:
- Website: coming soon! www.santoronaturalwellness.com. can see classes now at: www.naturesgifts.live
- Instagram: @surfchica6
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FitAlign.withAnna
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-santoro-7391b939/
Image Credits
Peter Joli Wilson Jianca Lazarus Cesar Portillo Becky Mendoza