We had the good fortune of connecting with Dolapo Babalola and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Dolapo, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I love this question because I am finally at peace with the terminology of work-life balance. I used to stress about achieving a perfect balance due to my perfectionist personality and notion of achieving everything simultaneously if I only tried hard enough or planned hard enough. But I was left stressed and feeling inadequate.
In a quest to find and achieve work-life balance, I recall asking my chair at my previous job during my faculty evaluation meeting how he had reached the balance, and his response was encouraging. He responded: “He was still searching for it, and if I found it first, I should let him know.” This further buttresses the fact that work-life balance is evolving and lifelong. My understanding of work-life balance through the years is it is a marathon and not a sprint. It is a harmony of all things looking different at different stages of life, and that should be normalized.
I aim to give myself the grace to fail forward and adjust promptly through lessons learned. This strategy helps to provide me with peace of mind because, in Harriet Braiker’s words, Striving for perfection motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing. How comforting it is to seek harmony instead of balance.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business is Living At Your Finest Wellness (LAYF Wellness). This is a Holistic Direct Primary Care (DPC) Practice serving Cobb County, located in East Cobb, Marietta. I provide full-spectrum family medicine services to all ages, and my area of expertise is helping Individuals and Families Live At Their Finest Well-being using a Holistic and Healthy Lifestyle Appraoch so that Individuals can Nourish and Flourish by being Whole, Vibrant, and Healthy, and prevent, treat, and, in most cases, reverse chronic lifestyle-related diseases.
What sets me apart from others and what I am most excited about: My patients are assured of receiving Comprehensive, Compassionate, Convenient, Coordinated, and Cost-effective Healthcare at its finest from a physician who will spend quality time caring for them and their whole family.
I got to where I am today after being frustrated by the traditional healthcare system of over 15 years. I decided it was time to give my patients the time and attention they deserved and for me to experience purpose satisfaction and prioritize my well-being.
Unfortunately, the Traditional Healthcare System is a sick care system that focuses more on the quantity and quality of healthcare. Due to the 15- 20-minute time slot to see patients, we never really get to the root cause, and we bandage many symptoms with medications.
After suffering from chronic lifestyle-related diseases due to a lack of self-care and inadequate knowledge of how lifestyle habits have a more significant role in health than our genetics, I sought out additional training in Lifestyle and Obesity Medicine to first heal myself to health restoration, which empowered me to treat my patients, instead of managing their diseases. With adequate time and early intervention, I can now help patients aim for health optimization instead of avoiding diseases.
This is when Living At Your Finest Wellness (LAYF Wellness) was born. There is no better way to practice this form of medicine, which is well-care than to open up my practice where I can take out the middleman that dictates how much time I spend with my patients and the quality of care that I provide for my patients,
What I would like the world to know about my brand and story is that it’s always early enough to begin to pursue a life where you prioritize your health and well-being.
Even as a physician, I fell into unhealthy habits. I prioritized others above myself, so I suffered the consequences of chronic fatigue, hypertension, and arthritis. My story wasn’t unfamiliar. It is documented that 6 in 10 people have one chronic disease, and 4 in 10 would have 2 or more chronic diseases. Unfortunately, the primary culprit is poor diet and sedentary lifestyle, with African Americans and Hispanics being the most affected.
As I began my journey back to wholesome health and reversed my medical conditions, I became more passionate about helping families live at the finest well-being by using a holistic approach with a healthy lifestyle to nourish and flourish so families can be whole, vibrant, and healthy thereby preventing, treating (not only managing), and in most cases, reversing the chronic lifestyle-related diseases.
It is possible to change the narrative behind the obesity pandemic
and its 200 or more complications. Evidence proves that healthy lifestyle habits support a healthier family unit and community. I’m fully committed to the positive outcome of my patients achieving optimal well-being.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
A few years back, one of my best friends visited Atlanta, GA, and we had an incredible time. I am adventurous and love areas filled with vibrancy, history, and wonderful people. So, imagine the fun that we had when we visited and experienced a guided tour of the neighborhood that Martin Luther King, Jr. grew up in and a 3D tour of the church he worshipped and preached.
It was an excellent tour filled with breathtaking moments and historical lessons. To further beautify the day, we visited Centennial Park, one of my favorite places for some outdoor fun. It is well known that every trip to downtown Atlanta is complete with a visit to Centennial Olympic Park. This 22-acre greenspace serves as Georgia’s legacy of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. We walked around the water fountain, listened to music, danced, and breathed in the fresh air. I could spend all day here because of how beautiful the park is, and it never gets boring no matter how often I visit it.
Eventually, we visited the Ferris wheel, which is just a few miles from the park and equally breathtaking, especially at night, where we could see the heart of Atlanta at the top of the Ferris wheel. It was so impressive that my best friend and I took several pictures and reminisced on our time in college. We ended the day by enjoying a tantalizing dinner at the Rainforest Cafe, one of my favorite places to eat. Imagine hearing life animals sounds while you’re having a nourishing meal with friends and family. The customer service is terrific, and the food is spectacular.
My friend and I enjoyed the best of Atlanta during her visit, which left us with inspiring memories to cherish for a long time. I love that Atlanta, Georgia, is filled with many more beautiful places and experiences you would consider visiting if this is your first time. You won’t be disappointed.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, my God and my creator deserve all the credit because it is in Him I move and have my being. I thank God for seeing me through the journey of life daily. My robust support system deserves all the recognition. A special shout-out to my darling husband, who has always been my rock, sounding board, and friend. Even when I didn’t see the dream of opening my practice, he never wavered with his prayers and encouraging words. My bundles of joy play children-like roles, which is so amazing to watch. My mother and siblings! Thank you so much for all your love, advice, and support. You’re the best. My mother never ceased to remind me of God’s faithfulness. My extended family and friends, thank you all ever so much. I wouldn’t be where I am without your input. I am truly blessed because of all of you, and I can only pray that God rewards and gifts you all richly.
Website: www.layfwellness.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingatyourfinestwellness/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dolapo-babalola-md-faafp-dipablm-dabom-02389035/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LivingAtYourFinest
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr7JWONvEmP_bieQPAplitA?view_as=subscriber
Other: Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1202669