Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Pisano.
Christina, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up on Long Island, New York near the ocean, my zen place. I come from a big Italian family that loves a lot, talks a lot and hugs a lot. I am a two time cancer survivor who works hard for that cause as well as causes that focus on diversity.
At a young age, I knew I wanted to work in the media space and in Manhattan. My dad worked in the city his entire career and his sister, my aunt, introduced me to the advertising world. Both of those factors let me to a career in television and media, starting with an undergraduate degree in Marketing and an MBA in Communications and Media Management. My first job in the city was at an advertising agency doing market research. From there I went on to work at networks like CBS, MTV Networks and NBC Universal doing strategic market research. My love for the city led me to living on the Upper West Side for over 13 years!
During my NYC days, I became involved with a diversity organization and became president of the NY chapter of NAMIC – The National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications. My family is diverse and my friends and I used to call ourselves the United Nations. I am so grateful for having family and friends from all different types of backgrounds and religions.
In 2011, I decided to leave the corporate world and start my own market research company, The Research Boutique, which has been going strong ever since. The decision was based on a desire to stay healthier and have more flexibility with my time. This allowed me to also pursue a second career as a wellness coach. I inadvertently started my coaching journey at 11 years old, when I found out I had an advanced stage of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, with a less than 20% chance of survival. Embracing, without knowing it, some key elements of coaching – focusing on the positive, having support from my family and determining to achieve my goal of survival.
Dealing with a second cancer as an adult, various latent issues from my childhood cancer and lots of radiation, as well as losing my dad to pancreatic cancer, I made a choice to help others who are dealing with cancer as patients, survivors or care givers. This led me to starting the Peaceful Elephant.
I personally understand the wellness journey and realize the importance of being your best self and the impact it has on your outlook in life and on your health. The focus of my coaching is helping others find happiness and peace each day, and staying as positive as possible.
Losing my dad was probably the hardest thing I ever experienced. Knowing that there was nothing we could do to stop the progression, and not being able to hope was a big disconnect for me. I am grateful for the time I had with him and the amazing, loving relationship. I still talk to him every day and know that he is always by my side, just in a different way. There are signs everywhere from him.
As a lifetime NYer, I never thought I would move out of the NYC area and leave behind the ocean. That journey began when my brother and his family came to visit the Denver area and fell in love with Erie. Once he committed to moving with his family, my husband started mentioning us moving. I was like “slow your role” we’ve never even been to Colorado! The backstory – I met my husband at 40 years old, while I was living in Manhattan. He is from Buffalo NY area and hated the city. Once we got engaged, we had to compromise, and we moved back to Long Island where I grew up. I cried saying goodbye to my city apartment! He liked Long Island better, but still didn’t love it. Hence wanting to move to CO since my brother was doing so. We visited for the first time in April 2016. He was sold right away; I took some time. Now I love it and am addicting to hiking!
I have met so many amazing people here! And now my sister moved here too – my mom is probably next. My dad always used to say if he won the lottery he would by land where we could all live a mile from each other. His wish is coming true. Miss him every day. I always look at the positive, acknowledging that things suck from time to time, but don’t focus on that. I love photography, hiking, white sand beaches and being around people. I am a summer weather girl through and through. I have been told I am bossy and controlling, but that helps me achieve whatever I put my mind to. I am a warrior, a survivor. I am always kind and love doing things for others. I will always stand up for those who are discriminated against. Visiting Italy and my family there make me happy. Working with those who have cancer is a dream for my coaching business. I want to help them find peace, happiness and positive thoughts, even if for a moment, every day. Discovering cool lakes, waterfalls etc. during hikes is awesome. I am not the best at self-care. I hate that my health issues can’t be fixed, I see them as a weakness and that frustrates me, but I still forge ahead and stay positive.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I think I covered the struggles in my last section. I can honestly say when it comes to accomplishing things, with the support I have always had from my family and my mindset, there is nothing I set my mind to and wanted that I haven’t accomplished. I wanted a new job, I got it. Bigger salary, I am the queen of negotiation. New career as a health coach – done. National Board Certified in that space – done.
The biggest struggle is my health, but I try not to let that stop me. Sometimes I am not the smartest about that – at one point I was hospitalized with a virus and almost died. Once I was finally able to come home the recovery was almost six months. My husband had people come to babysit me and took my free weights to work so I didn’t push myself. Some say my strength is my biggest weakness lol
Peaceful Elephant – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Market research has been a career I love and worked in since 1990. I still work in that space and love helping companies learn about their consumers and develop strategies for success. However, it doesn’t fulfill my need for connection with those affected by cancer. When I started thinking of an additional career in wellness coaching, all the things I learned about coaching met that need. Wellness coaching focuses on positive psychology and helping others build self-efficacy.
I was one of the first 1000 National Board-Certified Health & Wellness (NBC-HWC) coaches in the country, that was an exciting achievement. I am also certified in Reiki I, group coaching and Lifestyle Medicine. I just started my 200 YT yoga certification:)
As a NBC-HWC I partner with others to help them determine:
-Who is my best self?
-How do I become my best self?
-What actions do I take to be my best self?
I work with people to help them become more confident, energized, positive, powerful, and make lasting changes in various areas of well-being including: Energy, Physical Activity, Health, Weight Management, Stress Management, Nutrition, Life Satisfaction
I work with everyone as a wellness coach but am growing my business in the cancer space. I worked with a cancer institute in NY before I moved here and am working on doing the same in Colorado. I think what’s set me apart a bit is that, besides the education, I have experienced cancer in so many ways, directly and with family members – so I am empathetic to what it is like on both sides. My experience dealing with a low survival rate myself and losing my dad gives me a special perspective and understanding. I am so passionate about helping people find moments of calm and happiness despite the circumstances.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My parents and siblings played a big role in helping me survive cancer when I was 11 years old. Always focusing on the positive and being by my side for the almost two years of treatment, going bald, thinking I was going to die. I think their support in helping me get through the biggest challenge of my life, and positive focus helped me achieve what I wanted in other areas of my life. If I could beat the odds in those circumstances, I could beat them in any others.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 917 921 9865
- Instagram: @peaceful_elephant_coaching
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