Get to Know Your Practitioner: Tracy Southwick

This month we are featuring one of our practitioners each week in a deep dive to help you get to know them better.  You may be surprised by what you learn!  We begin this month with our visionary founder and leader:

Tracy Southwick, ND  Owner, Heights of Health, Founder, Mind Body Spirit Release Academy, Traditional Naturopath (ND), Board Certified Alternative Medical Practitioner (AMP), Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner (HHP), Developer of  MBSRtm and ECRtm,

Co-Founder, TriVibrancetm

Tracy’s Interview:

What made you choose this specialty?”

 Over 30 years ago I was diagnosed with what Western medicine said was incurable.  After following the advice of a natural health practitioner, my health returned and I felt better than I ever had before.  I was so thrilled that I wanted to learn all I could about natural health and the body’s innate ability to heal itself and share what I learned with others to help them become as healthy as possible.

 
“How long have you been  practicing?” Over 30 years

“Did you always know you wanted to work in holistic Natural health care, or did you do
something else first?

 I started school in aerospace engineering with the hopes of becoming an astronaut. It makes me laugh when I think about it, as I know I never would have had the same passion and fulfilment in any other career path than holistic health.  Funny how life has a way of putting you on the right path, even thought it might not feel like it at the time.

“What do you enjoy most about being a Natural Health Practitioner?” Seeing my clients feel better, giving them hope by looking at the body as a whole and seeing the beautiful interconnectedness of our bodies, minds and spirits. 

We know that you are a visionary innovator in so many ways, but what is your latest “game changing innovation” that you have incorporated into the practice and why?

 I love to learn!  I am constantly reading and listening to podcasts and classes to help me better support my clients and practitioners.

  Almost a year ago I was introduced to Nutrigenomic Genetic Testing – learning how our genes respond to our environment - our diet and lifestyle (think epigenetics).  It absolutely fascinated me and has changed the way I look at my own health and the health potential of the people I work with daily.

 Knowing where the weak spots and strengths are from a genetic standpoint helps me make the most effective recommendations in areas I would never have thought to look.  It was a puzzle piece that I did not know I was missing, and I am so excited to share it with anyone interested in learning more about how their unique body operates. 

“What do you like to do to relax outside of work?” I just love being outside – gardening, golfing, at the beach in Galveston, walking or hiking with my family.  Being in nature restores me.

“What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?” Earlier in my life, when I was in school to be an aerospace engineer, I was also in flight school.

“Are there any health habits you personally try to prioritize, even with a busy schedule?” Sleep is a big one for me.  When I am not sleeping enough or feeling restored, my brain is foggy, I am not as happy and my immune system is weakened.  Those who know me know that I will rarely make it past 9pm before I slip off to bed. 

 
 "What is one habit you see the most in people that you wish they could change?" I would say that I would love for people to change the way they talk about themselves.  Our subconscious minds hear and believe everything we say, so when we talk about ourselves in a negative tone, like “I’m such a mess” or “I’m always sick” or “I can never do anything right”, that becomes a part of our reality and can become like a self-fulfilling prophecy.  I think, generally speaking, we need to give ourselves more grace, support and love – speak to ourselves like we would talk to a beloved child (a gentle reminder to myself here, of course!).  

Do you have any tips for the following?
1. Most common easily fixed solution you see when people first come to see you. Clean water

2. Most common mistake/omission you see people making in your practice. Get a better water filter (the fridge filter doesn’t do the trick with Houston tap water). Link to water article https://www.heightsofhealth.com/blog/what-you-ve-never-known-about-water-learn-from-an-expert

3. What you find yourself saying over and over again to clients. “Your body hears and responds to everything you say and think. Let’s reframe what you are saying to talk about how you are healing, not how you are sick.”