OUR STORY

My name is Elena Smith, PhD and I have a passion for the motivation of people around me to achieve their wellbeing goals. I have a scientific background with Doctoral Degree in Molecular Biology, 5 years of postdoctoral training in Molecular Pharmacology and Molecular Virology at US National Cancer Institute and US National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases following >15 years of professional career. I hold 5 patents in the field of antiviral pharmaceuticals, 18 scientific publications, and was a part of the team who brought to the market two vaccines.

Besides my scientific background I obtained certificate from Harvard Medical School "Health and Wellness: Designing a Sustainable Nutrition Plan" which gives me skills for exploring behavioral causes of disease and lifestyle impact as well as how to effectively empower people to adopt healthy eating practices and healthy lifestyle. I have been enrolled in the yoga teaching certification training at Afterglow yoga studio, Hartford, CT, US. I have been practicing yoga for more than 20 years and I am fortunate to practice with renowned yoga teachers who contributed to yoga success in the West. I am looking forward to the time when I will start teaching yoga and meditation by myself, read more in my blog about my yoga journey.

Through my scientific background I know that healthy lifestyle is critical for the alleviating or preventing burden of some diseases. I have been focusing on healthy lifestyle as long as I remember myself. Always exercising, putting a lot of efforts on stress management, mindful of healthy food and never a smoker. Yet I realized that I had not advocated for healthy lifestyle to anyone around me. In 2022 there was a turning point in my life when I decided to take proactive position to share my knowledge and experience and advocate for the healthy lifestyle as well as teaching yoga and meditation.

Back in end of 2022 during Holiday Season, I received news from my mother that my young brother died from heart attack in his sleep. He was 40 years old.  He had various health issues/ disabilities through his life after he got in car accident during his childhood. His condition was aggravated with obesity and smoking. At the same time my mother was diagnosed with cancer and went through surgery and treatments. Following 4 months after that I had a numerous travels juggling my kids, my mother undergoing through surgery and radiotherapy, my work. At some moment I had 16 flights in 2 weeks. I always was proud how stress resilient I am and with healthy lifestyle. However, one day I was shocked with realization that I was laying on the couch, watching TV and eating frozen butter stick (!). I also realized that I gained 20 pounds over 4 months, had only one session of yoga, no single run or dance class, and it was for the first time in 27 years when I watched TV. It was a scary moment for me. I have just lost my young brother and my parents, and my kids are dependent on me. I have to be healthy and strong more than ever. 

I was blessed to have a supportive husband, supportive yoga community, established therapist, and friends who reminded me that I could easy come back to my previous healthy lifestyle. And I got through this tough period. But then I kept thinking if it happened to me, even when I am so conscious my entire life of healthy lifestyle and have scientific knowledge of its importance, what if it could happen with someone else? What if I could had enough advocating skills to convince my brother never start smoking or importance stick to the diet? What if there are other people around me who goes through tough situation in their life and sometimes, they need just someone who could enthusiastically advocate for healthy lifestyle?

Shortly after that realization, I took a scan on my knowledge and experience and complemented it with additional skills: Health and Wellness certificate from Harvard Medical School and enrollment in yoga teacher training. I will be honored if my knowledge and experience will help someone to set and achieve their wellbeing goals!

This site will be evolving with new content about healthy lifestyle motivation and wellbeing knowledge. Monthly newsletters will be focused on various wellbeing topics with practical tips to help with work-life balance.