Wellness Champions

What is a Wellness Champion?

Meet real life Wellness Champions. They are a team of forward-thinking individuals who value personal wellness and who are making a difference in the lives of others. They have chosen to take responsibility for their health and the health of their families. They are reaping the rewards of their hard work as they enjoy improved quality of life. They have saved our health-care system many thousands of dollars. I am so blessed to know each of them and to have played a small part in their journey to success. They really did all the hard work and they truly are champions!

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In 2002, I was shocked when I came face to face with breast cancer. I was grateful for the medical care that I received during this tough time, but I felt that I needed to use a more natural approach to get my health back.

I decided to take charge of my health and started working with Pam in October 2002. Pam introduced me to The Four Pillars of Wellness which I began to implement.

My medical specialists called me their “star patient” and couldn’t understand why I didn’t  suffer with the side effects of nausea, depression, and fatigue that normally happen with chemo and radiation treatments. I had lots of energy and was able to carry on with an active life during my treatments.

I have been cancer free for over seven years and live a very active life, working, spending lots of time with my grown children and grandchildren, camping, and competing in Dragon Boat racing. I am very thankful that I have my life back and love sharing this message of hope with others.

-Marg Schleppe, Kelowna, BC

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I have been working with Pam since Sept. 2004. She is very knowledgeable about nutrition for a healthy body. She is a very kind and caring person and certainly a pleasure to know. Recently, with Pam’s guidance, my health has improved so much that my specialist has declared that the MS I am afflicted with is benign.

-Virginia Howg, Enchant, AB

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I first met Pam when she came to speak at the Kelowna MS Society in 2005. At that time I had secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) and my cognitive functions and energy levels had continued to decline. It was very disconcerting for me to think about a future not only being physically disabled, but also unable to think at my usual capacity. I already understood the importance of nutrition as I was a registered dietician before my diagnosis with MS.

As I started working with Pam, I noticed major improvements in my energy and ability to process my thoughts. Even my clinical neuropsychologist was pleasantly surprised with the results from my annual neuropsychological evaluation. In certain areas, particularly complex auditory attention and visual/learning memory, there was improvement. After the 2007 evaluation, I was getting along well enough that I no longer needed to be followed annually for my neuropsychological capability.

Within a few months, I wanted to share my experience with everyone so that they could have the same advantages that I continue to experience with my improved wellness – in spite of dealing with MS.

I have improved so much that I started getting involved in the equestrian world again, something I had almost given up on. This includes training horses/mules, teaching riding, and riding and packing in the back country.

Because of my success, I feel confident referring people to Pam. I tell them she is much more knowledgeable than me and keeps up-to-date on the quickly evolving research. Pam is ever so helpful in answering my many questions and personally passing on important information that I might miss. I guess she knows I am probably out “horsing around” instead of paying attention to details. I don’t know how she manages to balance everything but she does, and she always stays so cheerful and on top of things. I have never heard stress in her voice. Obviously Pam loves what she is doing – giving people a chance to have improved wellness in their lives – and she is good at it. She is so “user friendly” and easy to listen to. I have never felt pressured but have always been able to learn a lot from her.

Barb is currently a certified Trail Guide Instructor. She has also been actively involved with the TREC Equestrian Association of BC as an instructor, board member, promoter, and planner for the TREC Training Day Competitions.

-Barbara Wierzbicki, Enderby, BC

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I was first introduced to Pam Bartha five years ago regarding some health issues that I was experiencing. She has coached me on addressing my diet in regard to how my body is affected by the foods I eat. Pam also introduced me to the Four Pillars of Wellness to give my body what it requires to lead a healthy and rewarding lifestyle. She has a wealth of knowledge and parts with it in a clear and precise way so that a regular person understands the information easily. Pam not only is my health coach but has also become a friend.

-Doug Rutherford, Freedom International, Kelowna, BC

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In the early part of 2008 I was knocked out physically and emotionally resulting from a very difficult marriage separation and move from the U.S. to Canada (back home) combined with intense early menopause. After taking homeopathic and naturopathic products for two years (that cost an average $300-400/month), I was at my wits’ end because I was so tired of feeling tired, depressed, and “not me” anymore. A dear friend recommended I chat with one of her friends, Barb, who had worked with Pam. I met with Barb, who shared her story with me and passionately told me how her quality of life had dramatically improved. Next, I met Pam and felt she was highly knowledgeable about health and  nutrition. She was also intelligent and caring, which made her highly credible to me.

Within six weeks of working with Pam, the mental fog I had been in for about three years cleared, my vocabulary expanded, and a lot of my mental and physical energy returned. It has been over a year and I totally feel like myself again. Yes! I feel very comfortable and happy referring people to Pam.

-Shelley Wilson, Kelowna, BC