Keri Watkins Webb
In my early adulthood, my life was plagued with disappointments. Failed relationships, unfulfilling jobs, and a heavy cloud of low self-esteem followed me everywhere. I didn’t know how to process the pain, so I turned to food for comfort. Eating became my coping mechanism, a way to numb emotions I didn’t want to face. But emotional eating didn’t fix anything, it only made me sicker.
Over time, my health completely unraveled. I became very overweight, technically obese. My menstrual cycles were unbearably heavy and painful. I developed seven fibroid tumors the size of lemons. My face, neck, back, and shoulders were covered with stubborn, inflamed acne. I was severely anemic, constantly exhausted, and repeatedly battling sinus infections. To make matters worse, I was unknowingly being poisoned by radon in my home environment.
Doctor after doctor treated my conditions separately. Steroids for the acne. Birth control pills for the cycles. Antibiotics for the sinus infections. Nothing worked - if anything, the medications made me worse. My body was breaking down, but nobody was asking why.
What I came to realize is that all of these issues were interconnected. They weren’t random or isolated; they were the physical expression of a much deeper imbalance. My unfulfillment, my stress, my depression, and my disconnection from myself were all taking a toll on my body.
The real change didn’t come through another prescription. It came when I surrendered my life to God. That was the defining moment when everything shifted. I realized that God wanted me well, not just physically, but wholly, so that I could live my life on purpose. As I drew closer to Him, I began to see my health in a new light. Healing wasn’t about treating symptoms - it was about aligning my body, mind, and spirit with the life He created me to live.
As I became spiritually grounded, learned to nourish myself with real food, and let go of the emotional baggage that had weighed me down, my body began to heal. The acne cleared. The anemia improved. The weight began to come off. My energy returned. And most importantly, I found clarity, joy, and peace.
That journey taught me the true meaning of holistic health.
What Is Holistic Health?
Holistic health is an approach to wellness that looks at the whole person in body, mind, and spirit, rather than isolating and treating individual symptoms. The word holistic comes from the Greek word holos, meaning “whole.” In other words, it’s the understanding that every part of our being is interconnected, and true healing requires balance in all areas of life.
Traditional medicine often focuses on diagnosing and treating specific conditions. Holistic health, by contrast, asks deeper questions:
· What underlying imbalances are contributing to this illness?
· How are diet, lifestyle, stress, relationships, and spiritual life impacting overall health?
· What root causes need to be addressed so that lasting healing can occur?
Holistic health does not reject conventional medicine. Instead, it recognizes the value of medical intervention when needed and emphasizes that real healing goes beyond prescriptions. It involves lifestyle choices, emotional wellbeing, mental clarity, spiritual growth, and a proactive commitment to wellness.
The Pillars of Holistic Health
1. Physical Health Nutrition, movement, sleep, hydration, and self-care practices are foundational. Instead of reaching for quick fixes, holistic health encourages nourishing the body with whole foods, regular exercise, rest, and preventive care.
2. Mental & Emotional Health Our thoughts and emotions deeply affect our physical state. Stress, anxiety, unresolved trauma, and negative self-talk can manifest as illness. Holistic healing involves cultivating a healthy mindset, developing coping tools, and practicing gratitude, mindfulness, or therapy when needed.
3. Spiritual Health For me, healing began when I surrendered to God. Spiritual grounding, whether through faith, prayer, meditation, or connection with nature, provides strength and balance. It gives life meaning and helps us navigate challenges with resilience.
4. Social & Environmental Health The relationships we keep and the environments we live in directly affect our wellbeing. Holistic health acknowledges the importance of supportive communities, healthy boundaries, and safe, clean surroundings.
Why Holistic Health Matters
When we only treat symptoms, we miss the bigger picture. My own experience was proof: medications dulled the surface problems but never addressed why my body was struggling in the first place. It wasn’t until I aligned my lifestyle, nutrition, emotions, and spiritual practices that I began to heal from the inside out.
Holistic health matters because it empowers us. It reminds us that we are not powerless in the face of illness - we have the ability to influence our health by the daily choices we make. It helps us understand that healing is not just about eradicating disease but about cultivating balance, vitality, and wholeness.
Empowered Living NYC: Helping Others Heal
My personal healing journey inspired me to create Empowered Living NYC, where I now help others discover the answers to their own health challenges using a holistic approach. I work with individuals, groups, and with communities to empower people to proactively address their health. I believe in the ripple effect - each one teach one - because when one person changes their health, it often inspires those around them to do the same.
At Empowered Living NYC, I guide people to look at the whole person, because health isn’t just about what you’re eating - it’s also about what’s eating you. Sometimes the root of illness isn’t only physical - it can be work-related stress, family dynamics, environmental toxins, or emotional wounds that haven’t been addressed. Together, we uncover those root causes and create a personalized, strategic plan for restoring balance in body, mind, and spirit.
Part of my mission is also education. I travel throughout the greater New York City area hosting healthy cooking demonstrations in underserved communities, showing families that eating healthy doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Using simple, whole, affordable ingredients, I teach practical ways to make nutritious meals that anyone can prepare and enjoy. These events empower not just individuals, but entire families, to take small steps toward long-term health.
Conclusion
My story is just one example of what happens when we stop looking for surface fixes and start embracing health as a whole. By integrating body, mind, and spirit and by surrendering to God’s plan for my life, I discovered freedom from the cycle of illness and the joy of true wellness.
That’s the same vision I carry into Empowered Living NYC: to help others experience the power of holistic healing and take back control of their health.
Because when we embrace holistic health, we don’t just manage symptoms, we transform our lives.
If you’d like to learn more or work with me,
you can connect with Empowered Living NYC at:
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.empoweredlivingnyc.com
Instagram: @empoweredlivingnyc
YouTube: The Sugarless Sister Presents: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCokFWz8Exz-Xp4xqkq_2KVg