Today we’d like to introduce you to Shavon LeBlanc.
Hi Shavon, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Shavon LeBlanc and I work as a diabetes prevention coach and fitness professional. The desire in my heart was to help people; I graduated from the Xavier University of Louisiana with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, ready to impact my community and bring health awareness to disadvantaged communities. As a pharmacist, The Lord has opened many opportunities to serve on eight Christian medical missionary trips throughout the world. But one experience changed my perspective on practicing pharmacy. As a clinical pharmacist, one of our clients implemented wellness initiatives such as healthier cafeteria options, paid time to exercise, smoking cessation programs at their corporate sites which positively impacted the employees’ health and the company’s financial health. I knew I wanted to have an integral part of this type of wellness and health. Three months later, I was working at the downtown Houston YMCA as a healthy living assistant, opening the women’s center at 5 am, then going to work at the pharmacy at 9 am. It grew into group exercise instructor, personal trainer, aqua fitness instructor, diabetes prevention coach, and virtual fitness instructor. Now, as diabetes prevention coach for First Mile Care, Inc. I have led multiple annual Type 2 diabetes prevention classes, where my participants have lost substantial weight and eliminated their Type 2 Diabetes risk.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has not been smooth. There have been many doubts and fears. Feeling unsure, wondering if I made the right decision. While working in pharmacy, my life was extremely comfortable, I had financial stability and success, by the standards of this world. But there was a longing in my soul for a purpose and plan greater than what I experienced while practicing pharmacy. I took major steps of faith, when I left my twelve-year career as a retail pharmacist, to pursue entrepreneurial pursuits as a fitness professional and diabetes prevention coach. I struggled with fear heavily, so much so that as I began to overcome it, I was inspired to write a children’s book to inspire young girls to run toward their fears and pursue their heart’s desire regardless of fear. I struggled with whether people would support me, and I’ve been blessed to see support come from the most surprising places.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My goal is to educate my community, specifically communities of color, about the importance of reducing chronic illnesses through implementing lifestyle modifications and disease prevention strategies. I am also an aquatic fitness professional. My goal is to increase the awareness of aqua fitness as a viable fitness vehicle to lower chronic illness, especially in minority communities. I am most proud of so many of my aquatic fitness participants who have lowered their diabetes marker A1c with aqua fitness, so many participants are no longer on pain-relieving medications, learned how to swim, became stronger, lost weight, overcame the fear of water, and reduced their blood pressure markers. As I learned about the impact of nutrition in preventing chronic illness and disease, I desired to share what I learned in my eBook entitled Eat to Ease The Pain: how to create generational wealth through generational health. The importance of lowering chronic inflammation to improving health outcomes and preventing chronic diseases. I have always wanted to contribute to health articles, and I have written electronic articles for Thrive Global. As a water aerobics instructor, I have been on TLC’s my 600lb life teaching aqua fitness. When my transition occurred, my dream was to help impact my community and it is beautiful to see the unfolding of my desires before my eyes. I am teaching people how to reduce the risk of chronic illness, I am writing, and I am increasing awareness of aquatic fitness, especially in communities of color. I have developed an educational program entitled The Healthy YouUniversity, for employers to implement for improve the health of their employees through education and health initiatives.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I truly believe in God’s hand over my life. Jesus Christ has opened doors I could not have opened on my own. I truly believe any success and acknowledgment come from His hand. There have been many people who have spoken into my life, I can’t name everyone, but Tim Moore, Cleveland Landheart and Otis Sowell of YMCA have opened doors and spoken my name to those who gave me an opportunity to grow. God has given me friends and family (C, C, J,J,T,K,K,A,C,K) who are my advocates, I am grateful for them, we have traveled together, journeyed together, prayed for one another, shared our trials and tribulations with one another, cheered for one another, cried with each other and supported one another and for them I will forever be grateful. My class participants and clients have become like family and have been supportive of ventures outside of the YMCA, they have supported me personally and professionally. The power of prayer is critical to my life, and I am thankful for my Sunday School class and Women Surrounded who constantly lift me up in prayer. Finally, I am forever grateful to my loving family JoJo, Shayla, Sharee, Josiah and Shalyn.
Pricing:
- $12.99 for my children’s book Fearless
- $15.00 for my ebook Eat To Ease The Pain
Contact Info:
- Website:www.shavonleblanc.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shavonleblanc
- Youtube: xcellence aquatic and wellness
Image Credits
Joelyn Rogers
Zachary Gomez
