We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Nicole McCarty and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Nicole, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Ha! Work life balance is a bit of an anomaly AND quite elusive…kind of like a unicorn (you know, mythical creature that’s impossible to catch. Lol.) So as a result of my interpretation of it, I prefer to use the terms “harmony” and “balance” in conjunction with one another. It’s a concept I talk about in my book, G.L.O.W. Rx (Grow & Live Optimally Well): Your Practical Guide to Releasing Your Inhibitions, Finding Your Purpose, & Living Free, Healthy, & Whole. (Shameless plug 😊) The way I’ve structured my life and thought is to live with with the knowledge that these two terms are interdependent upon one another. One simply doesn’t exist without the other. I didn’t just arrive here out of the blue nor did I always operate in this perspective. I used to think about the traditional way of work-life balance and I found that it was nearly impossible to achieve without some level of frustration, exhaustion and unnecessary stress that I didn’t need. So through my own growth and transformation process that I now teach to other brilliant, amazing, & professional women, God let me in on a nifty little secret that’s really not a secret at all. GRACE is essential and the more you release, the more controlled your life seems to function. You see, I used to be a control freak, I needed to know every detail and how and why and when and where and how much and… and… and…and…the list goes on. In my journey, He taught me to release more. Sure, it tells us this in the Bible however, sometimes we miss message. Most times, it’s because we are so caught up in our own desires and the need to “make” things happen that we miss life in the interim. So when it comes to “work life balance,” less is more. I have an amazing little and an amazing family that needs me. I promised myself and prayed for the opportunity (even pre-marriage and kids) to watch my little blossom, enjoy the time with my husband and mom, and to have the flexibility to continue to care for my grandparents a state away. Guess what? God granted me just that. It may look a little different than I had anticipated but I’m happy because I operate in “HARMONY” in addition to “BALANCE.” In music, harmony is defined as the combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce chords and chord progressions having a pleasing effect. That is my life. All of these moving parts in my life (wife, mom, daughter, caregiver, entrepreneur & business owner, educator, author & speaker, yoga & meditation instructor, etc.) that miraculously come together (with work of course) into a beautiful piece of art. So, in short, my “work-life balance” has gotten better over time. It’s not always perfect and it certainly doesn’t mean I don’t have moments of frustration and overwhelm. What it does mean is that I don’t stay there. I have may moment, re-group, and then go back to the matter at hand, living freely and enjoying every moment of this beautiful life that I can because time is the one thing we can never get back.

What should our readers know about your business?
MNM Integrative Wellness Solutions (AKA The WellYOU Bar) is an oasis of well being and a haven for self care and renewal. Here, you learn to create and activate the mind body connection to nourish your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual body. This connection has the ability to yield perspective shifts that relax and release stress from your surrounding environments. The focus on the four primary pillars of health produces a sound doctrine and blueprint for healthy living that includes integration from both eastern and western holistic medicine practices.

Additionally, I am building my personal brand, Dr. Nicole McCarty, which allows me to serve as a wellness coach, resource, and agent of empowerment to show other women what is possible and to show women (and sometimes men too) what life without unnecessary stress looks like and feels like. Under Dr. Nicole McCarty, I serve as an Integrative Health Doctor and Wellness Coach, an Author/Speaker, and a Corporate Trainer & Consultant. I educate. I empower. I help to positively redesign what the lives of professional women look like when they are everything to everyone EXCEPT themselves. I help professional women eliminate stress from their busy lifestyle, create balance and self-care, so they can embody true wellness by attaining health from the inside out using my proprietary GLOW Rx Transformation System (which is founded on the four primary pillars of health).

What sets me apart from others is my ability to help guide others into shifting their mindset and digging through the layers to find the root cause of stressors and health issues and subsequently and most importantly implementing those solutions in a palatable manner. It’s about making the lifestyle change and knowing when to hold ’em, when to fold ’em, when to walk away, and when to run for your peace, your sanity, and your health. In doing this, I am most often known for my gentle tone, direct but caring nature, and silly expression of who I am. In short, I’m a bit of a goofball.😜 I enjoy life. I don’t allow many things to stress me. God taught me HOW to “take control” of my life and I have remained in the passenger seat as the co-pilot since. Life is simply too short to be serious all of the time or even most of the time. Live, Laugh, Love, Let Go, Learn, Lead, and Leave a Legacy. That is a part of my purpose. THAT is LIVING and how I choose to live every day.

My journey here was an interesting one. It started as a Pharmacy major at Florida A&M University while in undergrad which is where I received the first nudging that Total Integrative and Holistic Health care was more of my jam but life happens right. So over the years I’ve been a Respiratory Therapist, both a secondary and post-secondary educator, a Sports Chiropractor & Soft Tissue Specialist with my own practice, a Birth Doula, and now an Integrative Health Doctor, Wellness Coach, & Corporate Wellness and Professional Development Trainer. Transitioning from physical practice to where I am now was the most recent journey and one that has had MANY learning curves and helped me to openly share a bit more. From start to finish, it was a path full of winding roads, a life changing car accident, devastating loss of a parent, failed relationships, etc. HOWEVER it brought me to this place. A place of GRATITUDE, a place of HUMILITY, and a place of FAITH and PEACE. There were so many lessons I learned along the way with the greatest of them being CATCH & RELEASE. Catch what life throws at you, extract the lessons you need so that you can make the adjustments to thrive, and release ALL of IT back to GOD, allowing Him to comfort and strengthen you. For me it’s not about your standard abs and buns (though those are nice), but it’s about the whole person. There are GORGEOUS people walking around right now who feel dead inside and lost. I want them and everyone to know that restoration is here, we simply have to CHOOSE it.

Regarding my Brand, I must say that I am most proud of my authenticity in how I show up EVERY DAY. I am CONSISTENTLY ME. I believe that’s an amazing feature in today’s social media world because a lot of people don’t know how to embrace who they are to love that and ROCK that! Additionally, I am super proud of publishing my first book, G.L.O.W. Rx (Grow & Live Optimally Well), which also serves as a textbook for my coaching program. When I create my programs and as I continue to build my brand, I always want to make sure that I have a pulse on what people NEED. In my research I’ve found that the most popular issues many people have with health and stress management is that they just don’t know where to start. They need strategies and/or accountability. So, I’ve structured my programs to reflect that and because health and wellness isn’t an overnight turnaround, I’ve created multiple programs that address my client’s needs no matter where they are in the process.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oooh! So, I’m a foodie and a particular one at that. Some of my favorite gems of the area include: * Fresh Heritage Kitchen in Marietta, GA for the most AMAZING  & ORGANIC smokehouse bison burger and Black Eye Pea Chili (Organic & Fresh) * Herb’s Rib Shack in Marietta, GA for the most AMAZING ribs you’ll experience
*TDT BBQ in Marietta, GA for the best barbecue sides
*Antico Pizza (the original location in Midtown)…most authentic pizza next to go to Italy
*Jeni’s Ice Cream for the purest and most eclectic ice cream flavors and her waffle wedges are divine and healthy
*The Battery Atlanta is a nice spot to enjoy the outside air with food and entertainment
*I’m a sucker for beautiful scenery so I love the Atlanta Botanical Gardens
*Centennial Olympic Park is always a win especially with the Georgia Aquarium and The National Center for Civil and Human Rights
*If you want to get outside, trails are awesome so the Silver Comet Trail and The Atlanta Beltline are great for walking, running, cycling, etc.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Whew! First allow me to say that God is my EVERYTHING. I am a believer so this is my foundation. Without Him, I am nothing but because He is, I know I can be also. Second though, MY VILLAGE IS DOPE. My family is amazing. I have a wonderful husband who is so very loving, supportive and encouraging, he’s my rock. My Mom, Dad, & Grandparents have been my examples for what greatness looks like. For that I am so very thankful. I grew up watching all of them break barriers and be the best so I had no other choice but to rise, it’s in my DNA. 😉 Then there is my little munchkin, who is one of my primary reasons WHY I do what I do. She is my inspiration and my push when I have those tough moments. I want her to see a living example of what a strong, God-fearing, woman looks like AND how she too can use her gifts and talents to be a blessing to others. She inspires me by her sass, her sensitivity, her strength and determination. I’d like to think she gets a lot of that from me (lol) but I want her to own who she is and walk in her own greatness ALWAYS. I am grateful for my VILLAGE (near and far). I am grateful for those experiences that have propelled me to this moment as well as the ones to come which will propel to my next level.

Website: www.drnicolemccarty.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.nicolemccarty/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drnicolemccarty/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/DrNicoleMcCarty

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrNicoleMcCarty

Youtube: Dr. Nicole McCarty ( http://bit.ly/2Oi60Hb )

Other: Clubhouse App: @drnicolemccarty

Image Credits
LaJoy Photography Yetive Simmons Photography Simply I Do Photography & Events

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