We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Essential Anne. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Essential below.

Essential , appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Anne is the founder and creator of Essential Anne and Women’s Wellness That Works

Holistic. Inspirational. Empowering

Anne was disabled as a result of infertility and major digestive problems in 1994. Two ectopic pregnancies and several bowel obstructions required the surgical removal of part of her small intestine and underwent emergency hysterectomy. Some of the health conditions she experienced were dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual cramps and heavy bleeding), dumping syndrome (chronic diarrhea) and anemia. She had a total of 8 surgeries which left her dysfunctional, depressed, and hopeless. During her painful ordeal, she questioned her faith and mortality. Anne made a conscious choice to shift her thinking and commit to living for herself and especially for her daughter.

In order to heal herself and begin life anew, Anne committed herself to the practice of Alternative and Holistic Health, a commitment and practice which has continued for over 27 years.

She has used various disciplines throughout her years of alternative and holistic healing; yoga, tai chi, qi-gong, acupuncture, Ayurveda, myofascial massage, meditation, breathwork, visualization/guided imagery, and energy healing from Master Healers. Once Anne incorporated fitness and positive thinking with her healthier diet, and lifestyle, her symptoms ended in 2 1/2 months.

As part of Anne’s successful healing process, she continues to work on her personal & spiritual growth by being in service and contributing to women’s wellness. Anne is an expert in women’s wellness addressing hormone, digestion, breathing and emotional wellness. Anne’s many disciplines and unique approach to mindfulness, awareness and interoception are the foundations of guiding women to gentle and effective Integrative solutions to a woman’s wellbeing.

Anne has spent a lifetime dedicated to a number of women’s health concerns driven by her incredible and awe-inspiring experience of surviving numerous life-threatening surgeries and rehabilitation challenges.
Anne knows wellness and understands women. She is proud to share Women’s Wellness That Works through her podcast, Essential Conversations with Essential Anne and her YouTube Channel, Essential Anne

Essential , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I grew up on a small island in the South Pacific. I was 1 of 7 children from an Asian, Catholic family.

We were all expected to attend college and get married with children.

My story was the exact opposite. At 24 years old, I had an ectopic pregnancy with a tubal ligation. I had a 50% chance of getting pregnant. After 2 years with no results, I sought a Fertility Specialist who recommended a laparoscopic surgery

During the surgery, the Dr. cauterized my small intestine and I had a bowel obstruction. 3 days later, I had to have emergency surgery with a bowel resection with the removal of 3 ft of my small intestine.

As a result I had a total of 9 surgeries, hospitalized at least a dozen times. Disabled for at least 10 years with symptoms of chronic fatigue, anemia, asthma, dysmenorrhea, chronic diarrhea, hormone imbalance, digestive issues, unable to eat normal food, liquid diet, weighing in at 80 lbs

At the end of the medical malpractice lawsuit, I was given an opportunity to adopt a newborn baby. I was devastated to find out I would never have children of my own. All the surgeries left me with a compromised immune system. I took the opportunity and adopted a baby girl.

I turned to holistic medicine to treat my symptoms starting with Acupuncture. It helped relieve my symptoms but I still had most of my severe symptoms. With resistance I began taking yoga, meditation Gi-gong and energy healing. This opened up a whole new world into holistic health and alternative medicine.

After 2.5 months of consistent practice, with a healing diet, all my symptoms dissipated. With joy and excitement and a 2nd lease on life I trained to be a yoga instructor and Holistic Healer. My bliss was overshadowed by my husband’s toxic and controlling dissatisfaction that I was no longer dependent on him. We dissolved our relationship.

I taught yoga, meditation and Gi-gong for 15+ years. I certified in Yoga for hormone balance and Yoga for Golfers. I worked t at a Fertility Center supporting women with IVF and Artificial Insemination

My life became full circle as I focus on Women’s Health in Digestion, Hormones and Breathing.

I share my story with women to inspire and empower them to:
1 Listen and connect with your body
2. Life and healing starts with your breath
3. You and only you can make decisions about your health and healing
4. There is a right time and place for Western Medicine, but there is always time for Natural and Holistic Care.
5. Self care is an Act of Self Love
6. Be your own Wellness Advocate
7. You can heal your life
8. Ask your Dr. questions. If he/she doesn’t answer them, go find another Dr.
9. Women get your hormones checked at least 2x’s a year. Be proactive on wellness check ups.
10. All disease begins in the gut. ~ Hippocrates
11. Educate yourself on your body and health
12. Take personal responsibility of your health. Do not leave it entirely in the hands of your Dr. or the Government.

I created Women’s Wellness That Works to create a safe, comfortable and welcoming space so women can share their stories and impact others. Every woman has HERSTORY! What’s your story.

My podcast, Essential Conversations share stories that allow women to see themselves in other women through HERSTORY.

I AM Essential Anne. When we educate ourselves, we can make informed choices for our health and well-being. Breathing is essential to life. Breathing efficiently allows you to live a longer, healthier life.

“Knowledge is Power
Power is Understanding
Understanding is Wisdom”
-Essential Anne

How did you build your audience on social media?

I get asked this by Holistic Practitioners all the time. I was a successful yoga instructor for 15+ years. I was burnt out teacher 25 classes a week and decided to educate people.

But educate yourself on what exactly? I had 3 different brands and doing everything “Wellness” which is too broad. I had narrow things down and focus on who I AM first.

That was the challenge for me was discovering who I Am and what I wanted to do. I had anxiety being on camera.

I had no problem speaking in front of an audience or one on ones. But a camera felt fake, inauthentic. I broke myself of my fear conversation after my last Self Care Event with 20+ women. They inspired me to finally do this after 2 years on the shelf.

Once I discovered who I AM and got clear on my target audience, I began searching for my Branding Team.

I hired a Branding photographer, Branding Videoagrapher, A makeup artist, stylist, Event Producer, Vegan Chefs and started creating content.

I began posting sometimes and didn’t see results. Once I posted consistently results started showing. Then I hired a VA to help me get organized.

Repeat

1. Get clear on who you are. If you describe who you are in 10 seconds that is the start.
2. Do 1 thing and do it great. Find your niche. Many practitioners do many things but don’t sell anything because they are not clear on who they are. You cannot do everything and sell to the masses.
3. Once you know who you are, create a name people will remember. Stand out! What makes you different?
4. Who is your target audience? What age, demographics, what do they look like, what do they do for a living, what do they buy etc.
5. Hire a professional photographer to take photos of you and your brand
6. Post daily. I hired a VA to help me post daily and create scheduling system to keep organized.
7. Be consistent. A brand is a brand when you are consistent for at least 3-5 years.
8. Breathe, don’t get overwhelmed. Just Breathe.
9. Practice Self Care. Take breaks
10. Monetize on what you love to do. Do what you love, love why you do!

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I was going through yoga training after having healed myself of multiple surgeries that left me disabled and dysfunctional.

My body was the strongest it had ever felt. I was feeling ecstatic because I had a 2nd, 3rd, 4th chance at living a full life! I was the happiest in a long time.

Then I discovered I was pregnant…like how is that possible? The Dr.’s told me it wasn’t possible. Feeling at a crossroads of finally being healthy and becoming a yoga instructor to now being a stay at home mom. Of course that was my dream, at the same time my husband was always angry, upset and frustrated that I couldn’t work. He was the breadwinner and work was overwhelming.

Our finances were low due to the malpractice lawsuit and infinite medical expenses. Now I am pregnant.

I decided I was going to make the best of a blessing. 2 months into the pregnancy I had pain and had and ultrasound. Dr.’s said there was no heart beat and to wait and see. A few weeks later I had to have another tubal ligation due to an ectopic pregnancy.

I was relieved and yet upset. My OBGYN removed my remaining tube and my small intestine was jabbed again. I had another bowel obstruction and another resection.

Things went from bad to worst, I had to have a blood transfusion, a feeding tube and more complications. After a month in the hospital, I finally went home.

I couldn’t eat regular food, I had a feeding bag when I got home with an IV. After a few weeks, I decided attend my yoga training. Of course, I wasn’t able to do anything except sit in the back of the class and raise my arms up and down slowly and breathe. I wanted to be surrounded by positive healthy people.

I was skin and bones. A month later, I went back into my training and completed it 2 months later! I survived near death yet again and I was healthy and well!

I made a conscious choice to heal my mind, body and spirit and live a full life!
I taught 25 classes a week including Gi-gong and Meditation!

I was super strong and healthy! I was so proud of myself for working hard to complete my training and serve others. My master said, “In order to heal others, you must first heal yourself.” Healer heal thyself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://essentialanne.com/
• Instagram: @essentialanne
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/info.essentialanne/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/essentialanne
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCyrjozMrbVGQS_AS9CiCteA
• Other: Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/essential-conversations/id1595639073

Image Credits
Brand Images By Lea