#0026 - Alana Abernethy - Combat Systems to Holistic Health

Summary Join us in welcoming Alana Abernethy to the Harder Not Smarter Podcast. Alana is a former Naval Officer, Owner of Evergreen Women’s Holistic Care, Co-Auther of the Black Veteran Entrepreneur, and Journalist through her company Evergreen Media. Today, we'll be discussing her transition out of the military and some of the challenges she faced on the mental health front. Alana also shares her experience with the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program and how it helped her reach her goal of opening up her own holistic care practice. She'll dive into her journey into entrepreneurship and how she developed her passion for holistic health, where she now focuses on personalized care to help women feel safe and secure in their bodies. The theme of this episode is self-care--and the importance of taking the time to prioritize ourselves amongst the hustle and pressures of everyday life. Vibe: Feel Good Show Links Get 1-month of FREE access to the ⁠Vet Collective Community⁠ by using discount code: NLT1UQTI Join us here: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.collective.vet⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for our Weekly Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.collective.vet⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on LinkedIn: ⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/harder-not-smarter/⁠ Episodes also available on Spotify, Apple, and Amazon Music. https://linktr.ee/harder_not_smarter Alana's Links https://linktr.ee/alanaabernethy Chapters 00:00 Transitioning Out of the Military 05:10 The Importance of Taking Time for Yourself 07:50 Embracing Entrepreneurship 12:55 The Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Program 34:26 Personalized Care in Holistic Health 37:29 The Importance of Health 43:46 Authenticity and Balance 47:14 Surrounding Yourself with Positive Energy 50:55 Creating a Safe Place Within 57:47 Taking Ownership and Building a Business Sound Bites "It was hard. Let me just say it was it was hard, but more so the emotional side and the mental side of things." "Take some time for yourself. Make sure that you're equipped because the Navy will do everything they can to keep working you." "Life is different on the other side. And it takes a different mindset. It takes a different approach." "I need this to be individualized to me." "Health nutrition, fitness is one of the things, it's like cheaping out on tires and brakes." Sound Bites "It was hard. Let me just say it was it was hard, but more so the emotional side and the mental side of things." "Take some time for yourself. Make sure that you're equipped because the Navy will do everything they can to keep working you." "Life is different on the other side. And it takes a different mindset. It takes a different approach." "I need this to be individualized to me." "Guys will swing up and down." "Health nutrition, fitness is one of the things, it's like cheaping out on tires and brakes." Takeaways The transition out of the military can be challenging, both mentally and emotionally. It is important to take the time to reflect on your goals and feelings during this process. Entrepreneurship offers the freedom and flexibility that many veterans desire. It allows individuals to pursue their passions and create their own path. Holistic health focuses on addressing both the mind and body for overall wellness. It is important to prioritize self-care and understand the foundations of health, such as sleep, nutrition, and stress management. Seeking support from professionals, such as holistic health practitioners, can provide guidance and personalized care to help individuals achieve their wellness goals. Personalized care is crucial in holistic health, taking into account factors such as gender, hormonal issues, and genetic predispositions. Health is everything, and it is important to prioritize self-care and well-being. Society should shift its focus from money and titles to freedom and health.