You Don't Have to Do This Alone
Personal Wellness Coaching with Someone Who's Been There
One-on-one support from Gigi—cancer survivor, 70-pound weight loss success, and your personal advocate for health and healing. Because transformation is easier with a guide.
Meet Gigi: Your Wellness Coach & Advocate
Gigi isn’t just a wellness coach—she’s living proof that transformation is possible.
Her Story:
In 2011, Gigi faced ovarian cancer. On what she thought might be her deathbed, God made a covenant with her: “I will heal you if you work for Me.“
God kept His promise. Gigi was healed.
In gratitude, Gigi founded gigiSafeHOUSE, a nonprofit dedicated to removing financial barriers to healthcare. For over 15 years, she’s fulfilled that covenant by helping others access the care they need.
But her transformation didn’t stop there.
With Dr. Tess’s guidance, Gigi lost 70 pounds. She knows the struggle of battling weight, the frustration of failed diets, the emotional weight of health challenges. She’s walked the path you’re on.
Today, Gigi serves as:
- Practice Manager at Garcia Family Medicine
- Wellness Coach helping patients achieve their health goals
- Founder & Director of gigiSafeHOUSE nonprofit
- Published author celebrating Filipino culture
- Self-taught web developer (when challenges arise, Gigi finds solutions)
“I’ve been where you are. I understand the struggle. And I’m here to walk alongside you—not as someone who has all the answers, but as someone who’s found what works and wants to share it with you.”
What Is Wellness Coaching?
Wellness coaching is personalized, one-on-one support to help you make lasting lifestyle changes that improve your health and quality of life.
This IS:
- A personal guide who understands your struggles
- Accountability and encouragement when you need it
- Practical strategies that fit YOUR life
- Support through setbacks and celebrations of victories
- Someone in your corner who genuinely cares about your success
This isn't:
- Another diet plan to follow
- Rigid rules and restrictions
- Judgment about your past choices
- A quick fix or magic solution
Think of Gigi as your health partner—someone who walks beside you, not ahead of you, on your journey to wellness.
Areas We'll Work On Together
Wellness coaching addresses all the factors that affect your health and happiness.
Nutrition & Eating
- Making healthier food choices without deprivation
- Portion control and mindful eating
- Meal planning that fits your lifestyle
- Grocery shopping strategies
- Restaurant and social eating tips
- Addressing emotional eating patterns
- Finding foods you actually enjoy eating
Weight Management Support
- Setting realistic, achievable goals
- Tracking progress beyond the scale
- Navigating plateaus and setbacks
- Celebrating non-scale victories
- Building body confidence
- Managing weight loss medications (in coordination with Dr. Tess)
- Maintenance strategies after weight loss
Physical Activity & Movement
- Finding exercise you actually enjoy
- Starting slow and building gradually
- Overcoming barriers to movement
- Incorporating activity into daily life
- Setting achievable fitness goals
- Working around physical limitations
- Making movement a sustainable habit
Stress Management
- Identifying stress triggers
- Healthy coping strategies
- Relaxation techniques
- Time management and boundaries
- Self-care practices
- Breaking stress-eating cycles
- Finding peace in chaos
Sleep & Rest
- Improving sleep quality
- Establishing bedtime routines
- Understanding sleep’s role in weight and health
- Addressing sleep barriers
- Creating restful environments
- Balancing rest and activity
Lifestyle Change
- Breaking unhealthy habits
- Building new, sustainable routines
- Overcoming self-sabotage
- Managing setbacks without giving up
- Creating supportive environments
- Finding your “why” and keeping it front and center
Emotional & Mental Wellness
- Addressing emotional eating
- Building self-compassion
- Overcoming negative self-talk
- Developing resilience
- Managing anxiety around food and body image
- Healing relationship with food
- Celebrating yourself
Accountability & Support
- Regular check-ins to stay on track
- Text and email support between sessions
- Someone to share victories and struggles with
- Gentle accountability without shame
- Encouragement when you feel like quitting
- Celebrating every step forward
Frequently Asked Questions
Comprehensive Wellness Coaching Questions Answered
Q: What's the difference between wellness coaching and therapy?
A: Wellness coaching focuses on lifestyle, behavior, and practical strategies for health goals. Therapy addresses mental health conditions, trauma, and deeper psychological issues. If you need mental health support, we offer counseling with Dr. Tess. Wellness coaching complements therapy but doesn’t replace it.
Q: Do I have to be a DPC member to work with Gigi?
A: No! Wellness coaching is available to everyone, whether you’re a DPC member, a medical weight management patient, or someone from the community seeking support. DPC members receive discounted rates.
Q: How is wellness coaching different from Dr. Tess's medical weight management program?
A: Wellness coaching is an integral part of our weight management program. Participants have two appointments per month with Dr. Tess for counseling specifically designed to address emotional triggers and behavioral patterns related to eating. On alternate weeks, participants meet with Gigi for wellness coaching to support and reinforce the goals of the weight management program. This comprehensive approach addresses both the psychological and practical aspects of sustainable weight management.
Q: Can wellness coaching help if I'm not trying to lose weight?
A: Absolutely! Wellness coaching addresses nutrition, stress management, sleep, physical activity, chronic disease management, and overall lifestyle improvement—not just weight loss. If you’re managing diabetes, high blood pressure, or just want to feel better, coaching can help.
Q: How often should I meet with Gigi?
A: The frequency of wellness coaching sessions depends on your individual needs and goals. If you’re enrolled in the weight management program, you’ll meet with Gigi twice a month as part of the structured program. Beyond that, the number of additional sessions—whether more or fewer—is tailored to your particular circumstances and what will best support your wellness journey.
Q: What happens in a typical coaching session?
A: We review what’s happened since your last session, celebrate successes, troubleshoot challenges, adjust strategies, and set goals for the next period. It’s conversational and collaborative—not a lecture.
Q: Can I text or email Gigi between sessions?
A: Yes! Between-session support via text and email is included. Gigi is there when you need encouragement, have questions, or face challenges.
Q: What if I miss a session or need to reschedule?
A: Life happens! Just give us 24-hour notice to reschedule without penalty. We understand that things come up.
Q: How long does wellness coaching take?
A: The duration of wellness coaching depends on your specific program and needs.
Q: Will Gigi tell me exactly what to eat?
A: No, we don’t take a prescriptive approach to lifestyle modification—even in our weight management program. Gigi will offer suggestions and guidance for healthy eating habits, but we don’t provide rigid meal plans or strict dietary rules. Our philosophy is to empower you to make sustainable choices that fit your lifestyle, rather than imposing inflexible restrictions. This approach supports long-term success and helps you develop a healthier relationship with food.
Q: What if I keep failing and starting over?
A: If you’re referring to past dieting experiences, it’s important to understand that our weight management program is not based on a diet. Success in our program isn’t measured by whether you follow strict eating rules or avoid certain foods. We don’t view setbacks as “failures”—instead, we focus on understanding your relationship with food, identifying emotional triggers, and building sustainable habits that support your long-term wellness. Our approach is about progress, not perfection, and we’re here to support you through every step of your journey.
Q: Is wellness coaching covered by insurance?
A: Most insurance companies do not cover wellness coaching. However, if you have a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA), these funds can likely be used to cover the cost of your coaching sessions. We recommend checking with your HSA/FSA administrator to confirm eligibility.
Q: Can my spouse or family member join the sessions?
A: No, coaching sessions are designed to work on a one-on-one basis. This individualized approach allows us to best meet your specific needs and create a safe, focused space for your personal growth and wellness goals.
Q: Do I need to buy special foods or supplements?
A: No! Wellness coaching focuses on making healthier choices with regular, accessible foods. No expensive supplements, meal replacement shakes, or specialty products required.
Q: How do I know if coaching is working?
A: Gigi will track your progress with you at every session, helping you recognize changes and achievements along the way. Additionally, if you’re receiving coaching as part of the weight management program, Dr. Tess will monitor your progress through regular body composition analyses and weight measurements every two weeks. This combined approach ensures you have both objective data and personal insights to measure your success and adjust your goals as needed.
Q: Can I do wellness coaching virtually?
A: No, the wellness coaching program is designed to be conducted one-on-one and face-to-face. This in-person interaction is essential to the coaching process and cannot be effectively replicated through virtual sessions. The personal connection and environment created during in-person meetings are key components of successful coaching outcomes.
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