HER STORY ⟡ Chrissy of Lifestyles by LivingScripts
Meet Chrissy, MD and owner of Lifestyles by LivingScripts!
Why I started:
I’ve known I wanted to be a doctor since I was three years old. At that point in time, I said that I was gonna be a doctor that took care of people who couldn’t pay, and I was going to be such a good doctor that those who could pay would pay to see me. I’ve been blessed to be able to have this dream be a reality but I kept seeing that healthcare is sick care regardless of patient’s background. Many people are never given an opportunity to learn how to take care of their bodies. Neither are many physicians. And so instead of the physician being a healer for conditions that can’t be prevented, many physicians find themselves taking care of chronic diseases and the terrible things that happen as patients struggle with these conditions over time. Sadly, both of these things are completely preventable.
I didn’t feel as though I was doing my patients justice by treating symptoms without the root cause. So, I developed and implemented a program for lifestyle medicine using group visits to reverse and control high blood pressure and diabetes. They were extremely successful so later, I expanded these programs and eventually implemented an individual lifestyle medicine program that was equally successful. This programming allowed people to be true to themselves while helping them to design their best life. There were patients who didn’t want to give up their tailgate wings- and they didn’t have to! I knew that I was making a difference for the patients that needed it most.
During this time, my late grandmother had multiple health concerns that changed the trajectory of her life and mine. At one point, the doctors came in to discuss test results with her. Afterwards she looked at me and asked how this happened. We talked about lifestyle and she said, “I didn’t know”, just like so many patients have said to me before. I knew at that point my next step would include ensuring that people had access to the knowledge they needed and had support to live their healthiest life regardless of their economic circumstances, their zip code , and their health system affiliation. Thus- Lifestyles by LivingScripts was born.
What I love about being a business owner:
I love the time it gives me to get to know my clients and to be able to help them to cultivate the life that they always wanted. In being a business owner, especially in the health and wellness space, I’m able to spend that extra time to get to the root of the problem and help them to create sustainable change. It’s also wonderful to be able to meet people where they are. I’ve been able to cultivate many inclusive ways to ensure that my business is accessible to everyone.
What type of impact do you hope to have on those you meet and/or who purchase your products?
I hope that my clients will see not only their progress when they work with me, but they are able to learn how to nurture their full self. Lifestyle medicine is about cultivating a lifestyle that propagates holistic health and wellness. That includes everything from what we eat, how we exercise, and how we sleep to whether or not we drink when we party on the weekend, how much stress that we have in our day-to-day, and even our interactions with the people who we love. It’s so much fun to watch people start to make in one area and see how that encourages them to take on making changes in other areas of their life. As I tell my clients, you can totally have it all, and I truly hope to be able to inspire people to think about the life they want and then go after it.
Who or what inspires you?
I’m inspired by the women who come before me. As I look at all of the wonderful things that they have been able to do, many of them without the same opportunities that I’ve had, I realize that there is a creativity and tenacity that these women had. Even when they weren’t allowed to have their own credit card or mortgage without having a man sign for it, they were still able to create their own businesses, find ways to take care of their families, and overcome obstacles. Regardless of the circumstances, they knew success wasn’t an option, it was mandatory. Watching them, even into old age, reminds me that hard is only hard until it’s done.
What is your favorite piece of advice you've ever received or favorite quote?
“Do it scared”.
I believe in feeling all of your emotions while realizing your emotions are not absolutes. Approaching growing and newness in any area of life naturally brings some trepidation or fear of the unknown. So I try to remember, as I continue to grow and have new experiences, that there will be fear but it doesn’t have any control over what happens next. I look at fear as a sign that this is a big and exciting opportunity that comes with new levels of responsibility and experiences. I use wisdom in planning and decision making. Then, I “do it scared”.
What does Beauty mean to you?
Follow me here, I’m a creative at heart.
Beauty is unique, authentic, and satisfying. Beauty is a lived experience. Beauty can be a moment in time or a process. It can be effortless and hard work. It can be revealing and vulnerable or covering and protective. It’s just as much a feeling as it is an action and a state of being. It’s freedom to just be.
For me, beauty is hidden in everything. The smell of the earth after it rains, the first bloom on my peonies in the spring, watching my sunflowers follow the sun during the day, the first and last fruits of my garden, the first snow (and signs that I can ski soon!) just as much as a really good hug, laying in a hammock and reading a book, delivering a baby, eating some incredible food while traveling, finishing a painting, or seeing my clients reach their goals.
What advice would you give your past self just starting your business?
There is purpose in what you’re doing. As a woman of faith, Yes this is a challenge and it’s uncomfortable stepping into the unknown, but knowing that you will be guided to help those who you were created to help will calm your fears and give you the strength to carry on. You’re going to be better than just okay. You’re going to thrive just like you help others to do and it’s going to be wonderfully fulfilling.
What would you like our Beauty Boost members to know?
I’ve heard so many people, including my own grandmother, say they didn’t know the impact of our habits on our futures. That doesn’t have to be you. At the same time, you don’t have to try to make changes alone. Health and wellness initiatives of the past have isolated the individuality of each person, forgoing their authentic identity and culture for what is stereotypically called wellness. But if it’s not you and it’s not fun, are you really well?
Working with a coach in this space means having someone to help you navigate the steps to create your healthiest you. Coaching with me means retaining who you are and what you love while meeting your health goals. We will comb through the fads to discover the facts with you in the driver seat to cultivate your wellness within your ideal lifestyle. There’s no one-sized approach. Everything is fully personalized including interactive group and individual options and inclusive pricing options for those with financial need. Your goals are at the core of our work together. Being healthy doesn’t mean missing out. You can have it all!
As a double boarded family medicine and lifestyle medicine physician, I have the advanced training to be able to guide you to evidence-based methods to keep you safe while helping you to achieve sustainable success. Since coaching is different from working with me as a physician in scope and focus, I can work with coaching clients anywhere meaning I’m able to make a wider impact and help more people to stop surviving and start thriving! It’s possible to also work with me as a physician (in the state of Ohio) but it’s not a necessity. My aim is to help as many people to live their best life, my patients and otherwise. I’ve helped hundreds of people- all income brackets, walks of life, and cultural backgrounds. Why not you, too?
IG: ChrissyJMD
Website: Lifestyles by LivingScripts
