Passionate Health Advocate LLC

Passionate Health Advocate LLC When we learn to be our own health advocate, the wold can be our oyster!

Passionate Health Advocate - Opening Up a World of Possibilities for your Health and Wellbeing. Home to Virtual Body R & R, Replenish Sessions, The ReAlign Program and The Passionate Health Advocate Show podcast.

Too cool to cool down? What I see time and time again is that people often skip their warm ups and cool downs when exerc...
11/12/2025

Too cool to cool down?

What I see time and time again is that people often skip their warm ups and cool downs when exercising. How do I know? Because they end up on my table with pain or an injury. Look, I get that many of us are limited with personal time especially when we have a ton of responsibilities.

But it’s not about limited time.

It's about a frame of mind.

Instead of compartmentalizing warm up, exercise and cool down,

Think to yourself..

Warm up, exercise and cool down are ALL Part of doing a WORKOUT.

Warm Up = Body Preparation
Exercise = Body Exertion
Cool Down = Body Recovery
Here’s an example: ,

60 mins workout = 10 min warm up, 40 min exercise, 10 min cool down.

Et voilà.

Obviously the time breakdowns can be adjusted according to the goals of your exercise.

Just remember why we do these.

The purpose of a warm up is to prevent injury by heating up the muscles, loosening up the joints and increasing blood flow. This is usually done through movements to activate the targeted areas that will be performing the more intense exercise.

The purpose of a cool down is to help the body recover after exercise. This is usually done by stretching the performing muscles and taking slow and steady breaths to safely bring the heart rate down. This promotes flexibility, muscle repair and transitioning the body back to a resting state.

Be more like my dog Coco. It’s cool to be injury free.

Because nothing gets under their skin. Ha! But being flesh and bones it’s inevitable for things to get under our skin. T...
10/31/2025

Because nothing gets under their skin. Ha!

But being flesh and bones it’s inevitable for things to get under our skin. That’s part of the human experience.

I just lived through a real scare with my dog Coco. Where she had a foxtail lurking beneath her skin. That menace burrowed deep into her paw, got infected and then had to be surgically removed. After a month of nursing her, I'm happy to report she is now able to run and play again.

Having something under my dog’s skin definitely got under my skin. I had to figure out how to manage myself while figuring out how to manage her. Whenever my frustrations surfaced I used my breath to help me release the angst.

It amazes me that in those very moments conscious breathing could still bring me some peace at times I’d feel at a loss. Thankfully my breath training moved me through.
Are you caretaking for a loved one? Are you at a loss for things you can’t control? Your breath can pull you through. I’ll show you how.

Sign up for a Free 30 Min Consultation to join the Power Under Pressure (PUP) program here: https://calendly.com/pha-170/free-consultation?month=2025-10

Or, try a Breathe With Me session to see if PUP is right for you: https://calendly.com/pha-170/breathe-with-me-1-1?month=2025-10

Because peace and enjoyment are also part of being human. Happy Halloween!

10/01/2025

As a bodywork practitioner I often treat people living with chronic stress. Their nervous system is always on high alert yelling out to them “mayday, mayday” but they can no longer hear those cries. They become numb to the physiological symptoms of high stress such as; low energy, difficulty concentrating, trouble sleeping and aches in the body. This high alert becomes their new normal. It becomes their base line of functioning. Which makes it hard for them to distinguish if they are managing their stress well. Until their body sends them an SOS. Or in my client Barbara’s case, gets fed up with the hectic, sick, painful life she was living.

When we gain the ability to calm our sympathetic “fight or flight” responses we can then learn to regulate our nervous system. The results are better sleep, better energy and better immune function to recover from injuries and combat diseases.

Is your body craving it?

Let me bring you moments of calm with the Power Under Pressure (PUP) Virtual Breath Training Program. With PUP your breath will turn into an easy automatic coping mechanism to quickly destress and reset. Sign up for a Free 30 Min Consultation to get started here: https://calendly.com/pha-170/free-consultation

Or, try a Breathe With Me: Single Session to see if PUP is right for you - https://calendly.com/pha-170/breathe-with-me-1-1

Wishing you moments of calm, moments of peace, and moments of more ease.

Warmly,
Denise

Do you want to feel it?Book a Breathe With Me: Single Session to open the doors to easier living.This 60 minute virtual ...
08/20/2025

Do you want to feel it?

Book a Breathe With Me: Single Session to open the doors to easier living.

This 60 minute virtual session includes:
~ Movements to prepare your body for deep breathing.
~ Proper instruction of breath techniques.
~ Adaptation to your comfort level, experiences and abilities.
~ A customized take-home guide.

08/15/2025

Happy 2025!

Ok, I know it's August. My communication has been a bit delayed. But as a Passionate Health Advocate I have been sticking to my guns. I’ve made my health a priority which made me put more of my time and energy there and less time telling you about it.
Now I am here and ready to share the skinny with you.

How have you been?

Recently I've been doing well. In fact, I just had a monumental birthday in June. Spending quality time with loved ones while eating delicious food, laughing uncontrollably and getting my b***y dancing all felt like a miracle. Not to mention the unforgettable surprise visit by my siblings. What an incredible way to ring in my 50th year.

Last year I couldn’t really do any of those things.
I had an infection in my small intestine that pretty much wiped me out. Luckily I found the right medical support to help me kill the infection, repair my small intestine and rebuild my the ecosystem in my gut. Proudly I am off most of my meds and have been able to bring the majority of the food I used to eat back into my diet.
Another side effect of that infection was losing muscle mass and strength.

Earlier this year I injured my shoulder and rib cage. Both have improved and I'm getting stronger everyday. Its been a long road to recovery and I’m continually learning how to be more compassionate with myself and more trusting of the healing process.

This translates into the work I do with my clients.
I have been providing bodywork part-time. Enough to still do the work I love but, not too much that it will be taxing on my body. This is the sweet spot for my own health and wellbeing.

Lessening this physical work load to preserve the longevity in my body has been something I had been wanting to do for a while. At the same time, I’ve also been wanting to expand my reach to support more people. One of the silver linings of the pandemic is that it enabled me to adapt my work and connect with people in SF and beyond the bay area.

I got a taste of it with The Passionate Health Advocate Show podcast.

Receiving positive feedback from listeners from various parts of the world was a real treat. It was wonderful to know that the information I was sharing was able to help others near and far. It also gave me more insight on the challenges people were experiencing. Naturally they were similar to challenges my bodywork clients and I were dealing with.

Which is anxiety. That sense of overwhelm when the stress feels insurmountable. I know what that does to our nervous system and how that gravely impacts the ecosystem of our health. For years I’ve seen this in my bodywork clients. That is why one of the elements I use in my sessions has been the breath.

However, it became quite clear to me how this impact sneaks up on us before we even realize it. That awareness was amplified from the various breath work trainings I used from playing underwater rugby and free diving.

Those techniques paired with my bodywork practitioner skillsets inspired me to create a breath work program. This program is called Power Under Pressure.

I call it Power Under Pressure because these techniques gave me peace and the strength needed to move me through my darkest hours.

And that my friend is what I want to give you today.

A path to inner calm that will bring you ease amidst your struggles and the challenges we are facing in the world.

You don’t have to be a mermaid to do it. In fact, this is a 1:1 Virtual Breath Program to accommodate individual humans and their unique breath abilities.

“I’m using the techniques to calm my mind and body anytime I need. I really appreciated the focus and the experience that Denise imparted. I would definitely recommend this course to others. Denise has solutions.” - Power Under Pressure Participant, Stacy M.

I'm happy to be back and look forward to sharing more updates, anecdotes and insights in the realm of Passionate Health Advocate.

Here’s to preserving our health and longevity with more ease for 2025.

Warmly,
Denise

28 hours left in the HOLIDAY SALE: $75 OFF. There are 2 spots remaining in January to join the POWER UNDER PRESSURE - 1:...
12/20/2024

28 hours left in the HOLIDAY SALE: $75 OFF. There are 2 spots remaining in January to join the POWER UNDER PRESSURE - 1:1 Virtual Breath Training Program (PUP).

Or try A BREATHE WITH ME Single Session to get a taste of PUP. Relax, unwind and ease your mind. (If you decide you want to continue with Power Under Pressure, within 2 weeks afterwards we can apply your payment and session to the program.)

Go to link below and sign up before December 21st to get the sale.

I can't wait to be your trainer and coach in building your breath potential.

Here's to more joy, ease and good health for the holiday season.

December is in full swing. Do you know what that means? It's time to remind ourselves to KISS for the Holidays. Yes, KEE...
12/13/2024

December is in full swing. Do you know what that means? It's time to remind ourselves to KISS for the Holidays. Yes, KEEP IT SIMPLE SILLY. During this season we tend to feel added pressure with so much going on at the end of the year in such a short amount of time.

Making a list and checking it twice?
Ask yourself, "Are there things on my to-do list that are not actually urgent or even necessary?

Hosting family or friends?
Ask yourself, "Are there tasks that can be delegated?"

Feeling overwhelmed?
Ask yourself, "Is there a way I can get more support?"

These are ways to pause, check in with your gut, and then take informative action that can save your energy and bring you more ease this holiday season.

Just like with this end of the year stress, many of us add extra pressure on ourselves when we try to create a new habit. I hear it all the time with new bodywork clients. They get frustrated with their old ways that brought on repetitive strain or overuse injuries and look for a way out. Then they make it to my table and together we bring the change they seek.

I'm also seeing this in people dealing with high stress and their limited breath. They know conscious breathing is helpful. They know practicing breath techniques will calm their nervous system. But they keep putting it off because it feels so hard to start.

I get it. Creating new habit is hard. Our brain gets a delayed gratification when we execute a new behavior instead of that comfort and familiarity we crave with an existing habit.

That's why I'm thrilled to be your personal trainer and coach in the POWER UNDER PRESSURE Program. I will be there to support you every step of the way. Not only that, each guided session in the program leaves you feeling more calm and relaxed. Giving your brain some TLC each time you do it while building this new habit. At the end you will have an easy automatic coping mechanism to quickly de-stress and reset.

To lighten your load and your wallet I'm offering $75 OFF for the Holidays. Now through December 20th, 2024. See info below and links in the comments.


POWER UNDER PRESSURE (PUP): 1:1 Virtual Breath Training Program
*Book a Free 30 Min Consultation before December 21st but, you can schedule your session at any time. $75 Off will be applied when you join the program.*

BREATHE WITH ME Single Session
*Want to get a taste of PUP? Purchase a 1:1 BREATHE WITH ME before December 21st but, you can schedule your session at any time. $75 Off will automatically be applied at checkout.*

Here's to more joy, ease and good health this holiday season.

Warmly,
Denise

11/27/2024

My wish for you at Thanksgiving.

I took my dog Coco on our evening walk in Golden Gate park. As we approached the Conservatory of Flowers music and lights immediately turned on the building. Almost as if we triggered the show to start with just our mere presence. It felt like magic. It was such a beautiful and tranquil moment. As if all was well in the world. And now I want to share that moment with you.

Thank you my dear clients and colleagues, podcast listeners and guests, and readers like you. I appreciate everything you have brought to me and this Passionate Health Advocate community.

Pleasant surprises. Rainbows and Light shows. Animals and Nature. Music and Art. Friends and Family. Food and Rest. Whatever means Magic and Miracles to you. I wish you moments of beauty and tranquility for this Thanksgiving Holiday.

The first one was a success! Here are some highlights of participants' experiences from November 20th."I felt when I was...
11/23/2024

The first one was a success!
Here are some highlights of participants' experiences from November 20th.

"I felt when I was lying down and breathing it really cooled my body down and any stress and anxiety that was heating me up was released. I could feel the cold breath coming in and the warm breath going out."

"My mind was off the scale when we started, I gave myself a 12 and now it's at a 4."

"Everything down regulated and shifted to a much more calm state all the way around."

"Thank you so much for the webinar last night. I haven't slept much for the last week but, last night after the webinar, I finally slept through the night and feel like myself again this morning. Phew! Also, I've done a lot of breathwork in yoga classes and honestly never felt like I was doing it right. The book exercise was a game changer for me."

Relax, Unwind & Ease your mind.
Breathe with me to pacify your nervous system and nourish your body.

Join me on December 11th, 2024 @ 6pm PST. Sign up with the link in the comments.

Warmly,
Denise

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