We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shicara Holiday a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

ShiCara, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the story behind how you got your first job in field that you currently practice in.

My first job in healthcare was as a front desk receptionist at SpineAlign Center in Atlanta, working with Dr. Sherra Conde. Funny enough, I spent years avoiding the healthcare field. After high school, I was set on forensics and criminal justice, and when my mom suggested nursing school, my response was always, “I don’t want to work with people who have a pulse!”

But life had other plans. At twenty-three, I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia, leaving me dependent on medications just to get through the day. That’s when I became a patient at Dr. Conde’s office. After just thirty days of chiropractic treatment, my life changed. My medications started making me sick, not because I needed more, but because I didn’t need them anymore. My body was healing, and I couldn’t believe how much better I felt.

I became fascinated with everything I was learning about my body and holistic health. One day, when Dr. Conde’s receptionist didn’t show up, I saw her juggling phones, patients, and office work all by herself. I jumped in to help and, by the end of the day, she offered me a job. That moment was the start of my love affair with holistic health.

I became a sponge, soaking up knowledge about chiropractic care, physical therapy, massage, herbalism, and more. Watching patients walk into the office in pain and leave with relief inspired me. I realized holistic medicine wasn’t just about treating pain—it was about transforming lives.

At the time, I didn’t know exactly where I would make my impact, but I knew I wanted to be part of this world. I wanted to help people who didn’t even know they needed help and be part of the movement to bring this knowledge to others in the healthcare industry. Looking back, I’m so grateful for that first job. It laid the foundation for everything I do today and showed me the power of healing from the inside out.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My journey into holistic health wasn’t a straight path—it began with my own struggles. After my diagnosis, I relied on medications until I discovered chiropractic care. That transformative experience sparked my passion for holistic practices, from physical therapy to herbalism, and eventually led to the creation of Ahtera Wellness.

Ahtera Wellness specializes in lymphatic health, offering post-operative support for cosmetic surgery, postpartum care, body contouring, cellulite reduction, and pelvic floor therapy. Our goal is to help clients heal naturally, reduce inflammation, and eliminate toxins. Beyond services, we empower clients through education, inspiring them to take charge of their health and embrace a lifestyle of wellness.

What sets us apart is our fully mobile clinic—bringing services directly to our clients—and our commitment to natural products. Every product we use is handmade, organic, and designed to minimize toxins. We’ve also built a trusted network of fitness experts, chiropractors, and wellness professionals to offer a comprehensive approach to health.

I’m incredibly proud of the trust our clients place in us and how Ahtera Wellness continues to grow. From our mobile services to ventures like Luscious Botanical Blends—our upcoming tea line supporting recovery, hormonal balance, and detoxification—we’re dedicated to helping clients heal inside and out.

Ahtera Wellness is more than a business; it’s a blessing. Our tagline, “Who says you have to choose?” reflects our belief that health, healing, and self-care go hand in hand.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I truly believe being myself has been one of the biggest factors in building my reputation. Growing up, I was taught, “There’s a time and place,” and I interpreted that as needing to present a different version of myself in professional settings. Early in my entrepreneurial journey, I felt the need to put on a show, especially when dealing with people I considered of “higher caliber.” While they seemed to appreciate my work and presence, deep down, I knew I wasn’t being authentic.

That changed during my time at SpineAlign. I remember one particularly exhausting day when I stopped trying so hard and just allowed myself to be real. I explained things in my own way, greeted people with warmth, and even started hugging clients instead of defaulting to formal handshakes. The transformation was incredible—the office energy shifted, and people started showing up not just for the care but for the genuine connection they felt.

When I launched Ahtera Wellness, I knew authenticity had to be a cornerstone of the business. I meet my clients with honesty and openness, sharing my own struggles and embracing each person as an individual, not just an appointment on my calendar. This openness creates an environment where people feel relaxed, understood, and receptive, which is essential for true healing.

Of course, being real means people can sense when I’m having an off day, but I see that as a two-way street—it strengthens the human connection. Ultimately, I think my honesty, humility, and authenticity have been the foundation for building trust and a strong reputation in this industry.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My most resilient moment happened less than sixty days ago. My first venture into wellness was a medspa I co-founded in 2022. We offered a variety of services, from weight loss to IV hydration, with a team that included an RN, an NP, and an aesthetician. However, after a year, the visions of all parties began to shift, and the venture eventually came to a dramatic and abrupt end.

Faced with the decision to start over or give up, I chose to rebuild. My family had sacrificed so much, and I couldn’t let that effort go to waste. Within just four days, I regrouped and launched Ahtera Wellness.

Transitioning from a traditional medspa with treatment rooms, a lobby, and an exercise space to providing mobile services from my car and in people’s homes was a complete culture shock—but it’s been a blessing. This shift allowed me to reconnect with my passion for wellness in a more personal and impactful way, meeting clients where they are, both literally and figuratively. It’s been a journey, but one that has reignited my love for this work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ahterawellness.com
• Instagram: @ahterawellness
• Facebook: @ahterawellness
• Linkedin: @ShiCaraHoliday
• Youtube: @AhteraWellness