Today, MysticMag has the pleasure of introducing Sherry Roden, a certified Doctor of Naturopathy and a passionate Mindset Coach. With a lifelong commitment to continuous learning and a passion for empowering individuals, Sherry offers a unique approach to coaching that combines mindset transformation, meditation, and deep breathing techniques. Join us as we learn about her professional journey and explore how she helps clients achieve their goals through her holistic mindset coaching.
Who is Sherry Roden? What can you tell us about your professional journey?
I have embraced a lifelong journey of learning, which has led me through various careers throughout my lifetime. As life unfolds and circumstances change, it often prompts us to adapt and explore new paths. Initially, I embarked on a career in higher education at Oklahoma State University, where I obtained a master’s degree in communications. However, my role shifted when I became a mother, propelling me onto a different career path.
During this time, I embarked on an entrepreneurial journey alongside my husband. We ventured into real estate, owning and managing 31 rental properties in our college town. Additionally, we expanded our portfolio to include commercial buildings. As we developed our rental business, I actively engaged in marketing, which conveniently allowed me to balance work with the responsibilities of raising a young child.
As my son grew older, my interests began to shift towards health and the factors influencing people’s well-being. I became curious about the causes of illness and embarked on a journey of exploration in the field of health and wellness. During that period, as I was heavily involved in marketing and spent a significant amount of time on Facebook, I found myself assisting both our own business and other businesses in their marketing efforts on the platform. It was during this time that I noticed people I knew, who were around my age, frequently posting about cancer and other illnesses. This stirred up fear within me, as I questioned whether this was a common occurrence as we grow older. Additionally, I experienced some digestive issues myself, and my son faced health challenges that, while not severe, prompted me to investigate further. I wanted to understand why he struggled to digest certain foods or why he exhibited specific reactions to different substances he consumed. That inspired me to delve deeper into the subject, as I was determined not to let fear dictate my life. Consequently, I enrolled in numerous classes, immersed myself in books, and sought guidance from mentors in the holistic field, including naturopaths, holistic practitioners, and a hypnotherapist.
These experiences significantly influenced my perspective during that period. Simultaneously, I engaged in a sales opportunity for a few years that exposed me to mindset-focused concepts. This combination of factors propelled me to expand my knowledge about health, leading me to pursue a certification as a Doctor of Naturopathy approximately seven years ago. As time went on, my son matured. He began his baseball journey at the age of five and is now 20 years old. Initially, his involvement was minimal, but as his passion for the game grew and he got older, we ventured into competitive travel ball. Summers became dedicated to baseball, and I became increasingly intrigued by the influence of mindset on his performance and recovery as a pitcher. He eventually played at a junior college, starting as the only freshman pitcher and continuing as the starting pitcher his sophomore year. Through his journey, I gained valuable insights and knowledge.
As a lifelong learner, my interests expanded into the realm of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and I obtained a certificate in that field. Additionally, I became certified in Heart Interventions through the HeartMath Institute. While I have also explored other areas, such as completing a 200-Hour Yoga certification, the aforementioned experiences have had the most significant impact on shaping my thinking. They currently form the foundation of my career path.
In summary, my journey through life has been characterized by continuous learning and evolving focus in each phase. I have acquired diverse skills and knowledge on various topics, which have become valuable assets in my ability to assist others. By drawing from my personal experiences and accumulated expertise, I strive to provide meaningful support to those I engage with.
What is a Holistic Mindset Coach?
For six years, I dedicated myself to practicing as a naturopath, with a particular emphasis on promoting health and educating individuals about supplements, homeopathy, nutrition, sleep, exercise, and more. However, during this period, I came to a significant realization: the underlying cause of various health issues can often be traced back to our mindset and beliefs. Our perceptions of events in our lives and the direction of our thoughts play a crucial role in shaping our overall well-being.
That shift in perspective led me to reassess my focus. While the various elements examined by a naturopath do contribute to our well-being, I began to question whether they alone bring about the transformative changes in a person’s wellness journey and their ability to accomplish their goals. I started to believe that the key factor lies in our beliefs. Take nutrition, for instance. You can find individuals who thrive on every type of diet, but you can also find those who don’t feel well on any particular diet. What then is the common factor? I believe that it is the way they believe the food will affect them. If someone truly believes that a vegetarian diet will make them feel good, then it will likely be a good fit for them. Conversely, if someone is compelled to follow a vegetarian diet but lacks belief in its suitability, they probably won’t experience the same positive effects. It is this realization that sparked my interest in holistic mindset coaching.
By addressing the power of beliefs, mindset, and holistic well-being, I aim to support individuals in achieving their goals and enhancing their overall wellness. I recognize that the mind-body connection and our perspectives shape our experiences, and I am passionate about helping others harness this understanding for transformative change.
How do you implement meditation and deep breathing techniques into your work?
I embrace the role of a teacher, which aligns with the essence of being a naturopath—educating individuals on caring for their bodies. My goal is to empower people to learn and develop skills themselves, rather than creating dependency on me. When it comes to meditation and deep breathing, I provide guidance on their benefits and how to begin. I recommend the Calm app, particularly their “Mindfulness for Beginners” 30-day program, as a great starting point. I encourage daily practice and offer accountability to foster commitment. Additionally, I introduce the HeartMath coherence tool for deep breathing, a device that measures heart coherence and promotes inner peace. These tools can be used in my office or purchased for home practice.
You often work with athletes. How can you help them improve their performance and achieve their goals?
This relates back to some of the points I mentioned earlier. We delve into an athlete’s beliefs, perceptions, and self-talk during games, before and after them, and how these
factors impact their performance and recovery. Goal-setting is also an important focus, particularly for athletes. I encourage setting process goals, which are within their
complete control. As an athlete, there are various external factors involved, such as being part of a team, having a coach, and competing against others. Therefore, it’s essential to focus on what you can control. For instance, if the goal is to win a race, that is not a process goal as it relies on factors beyond your control. Instead, we want athletes to compete with themselves and set goals that they have full control over. This approach reduces frustration and allows them to perform at their best.
We spend considerable time on this mindset shift since we’re initially not taught to view goals in this way. Additionally, we address injuries that athletes may encounter. From a holistic perspective, we examine the athlete’s role in attracting these injuries and the situations in which they find themselves. Sometimes, athletes subconsciously need a break but struggle to ask for time off during a season. Injuries can serve a purpose, and we discuss the thoughts and situations that may have contributed to their occurrence. Injuries provide an opportunity for growth and learning, especially from a holistic mindset standpoint. We emphasize welcoming and acknowledging the pain, offering kind words to it rather than resisting or becoming angry. When athletes adopt this mindset, the recovery process tends to be more efficient. We explore solutions for supporting the body’s recovery and preventing future injuries.
What other services do you offer?
Currently, I am offering one-on-one consultations and coaching sessions for individuals seeking wellness guidance and athletes looking to enhance their performance. Additionally, I am in the process of developing online classes to reach a wider audience. My goal is to provide accessible online courses, allowing people to participate remotely. If individuals desire further personalized support, they will have the option to follow up with one-on-one sessions.
What’s your favorite part of your profession?
The aspect of my profession that I find most fulfilling is the ongoing learning and the wide range of scenarios I encounter. I am deeply engaged in understanding my clients’ beliefs, perceptions, and experiences of their lives, and I strive to help them identify solutions. Witnessing others achieve their goals, whether in wellness or personal achievements, brings me tremendous joy and a profound sense of fulfillment.
To learn more about Sherry and her work, you can visit her website at peakperformancestillwater.com
