Alisa Vitti on Living Healthier

Since some of our listening audience may not yet know who you are, would you please tell us a bit about yourself?

I am a women's holistic health expert and I have developed a protocol to help women heal from chronic gyn issues in their 20's 30's and early 40's. I founded the first-of-its-kind women's health center in Manhattan about a decade ago and my team of counselors help women with what we refer to as GYN castaway conditions—severe PMS, PCOS, Fibroids, Cystic Ovaries, Cystic Breast, Thryoid and Adrenal Fatigue, Fertility and libido issues—to heal naturally without drugs or surgery using the method I designed. It's functional medicine meets food seduction.

You are a great success. Because of what you've accomplished and where you are in life, what would you tell others to Inspire them today, regardless of where they are in their life?

Change is created in a single split-second decision. When I was given my diagnosis of PCOS and the prognosis of all the symptoms I was allegedly going to suffer from, my whole being on a cellular and energetic level responded instantly with a big "no thank you" and I was wise enough to allow that decision to change my life in every possible way. I also discovered that being courageous in the face of all the unknown that comes with change is a learned skill! I love that with practice, I can do anything that might be scary or difficult at first. Finally, we are here to have experiences that incorporate the body, so whether you are enjoying a cup of tea or find yourself on a healing journey, befriend your body, integrate it's experience, don't try to "fix" yourself so you can get back to "normal" aka ignoring your body, you'll only receive new ways of being reminded that you have one ;)

We all know that inspiration can change lives. Can you share a personal story of someone who inspired you and made a difference in your life or a defining moment or experience that inspired you or changed your life?

Two things inspire me continuously—my family and my body. The first taught me to dream big, create my own reality, and be fearless with good risk taking.

The second not only guided me totally into the direction of my career, but is also a daily teacher to be gentle with myself and take things easy. I have loved discovering that these 2 things are not contradictions and create a great balance for me.
Both sets of my grandparents have always been extremely inspirational role models for me. Having immigrated here as adults with small children (my parents) they created lives, careers, homes, families out of the ether. Knowing this is a real possibility is in my DNA, and because of that I have become a fearless creatrix of my own reality.

When I was a teen, my body began having trouble hormonally, although I went undiagnosed for years. This experience of being ill and healing was a revelation that changed my life, my career, and remains my call to greatness. The constant care and nurturing of my body keeps me grounded and balanced as I move into new areas.

You make it look easy, but I'm guessing you've experienced challenges in your life. Can you share with our listeners how that has strengthened you to reach success? In other words, how do you overcome adversity?

I remember the first 10 people I spoke with about my work right as I started my practice in 2001/2. I invited each one out for tea over the course of two days, and they each told me no when I offered to work with them on their health issues. Ten "no's" and I found that it only made me curious to see what would happen if I spoke to 10 more women. The next 10 all said yes, and I haven't looked back. I think of that situation whenever I find myself taking things too seriously and remind myself that my nature is one of curiosity and research and operating from that position helps tremendously when extracting the nugget of wisdom from adverse situations. I want to learn from it all and keep moving.

We all have ideas on how to improve our lives, whether it be a new job, moving to a new city, or finding love, but change can be a bit scary sometimes. Can you please share an experience with us where you "stepped off the ledge" with only faith, and took a big risk, based only on your belief that you would succeed?

I have been doing this as often and for as long as I can remember. I believe taking risks starts in childhood, in fact its the one common aspect of our evolution—e.g. we have to let go of our parents' hands to take our first steps on our own—with nothing but our playfulness to learn and our parents' faith in our abilities to back us. If we can keep this formula—playful willingness to learn and surrounding ourselves with faith in ourselves and loving cheerleaders—then there are just simply new edges to dance on. I can recall manifesting my first solo piano recital at age 7, my first solo performance in choir at 13, pushing myself academically without any prompting, living in India, leaving the traditional track and opening my center in Manhattan—these are all part of my continuum of playful willingness and faith. And seriously, every day, speaking to clients, speaking to the media, putting myself out there—it's a very vulnerable thing to do and I'm enjoying dancing on this my next edge!

How can others do what you did?

Listen to how you're being guided. I always tell people I had no choice in the matter of my calling. The truth of the matter is of course that I chose to hear that to which I was being called. Of course I questioned it, of course I was scared to do something new, but when I would sit with the feeling of trying to hold back the expression of my spirit versus walking the path of my calling, I just noticed it felt lighter somehow to walk—I didn't say it felt easier now, but it absolutely felt better in my body to let myself be carried down that path.

What process, steps or exercises do you recommend that our listeners could do right now and each morning, to improve the quality of their lives?

Take a moment in the morning to have some quality time with yourself. I used to begrudge morning time until I decided that I would create a morning ritual that felt like I was waking up as a beloved guest in a loved one's home. So the night before I lay out a morning robe I love, what tea i'd like to have, some fresh berries to snack on and make sure my sunny morning spot by my favorite windows are ready for me to have a few moments with myself waking up gently, writing down the things I'm grateful for and setting my intentions for the day. This whole process can take even just 15 minutes, but it sets the tone for a whole different energy pattern during my day.

What's the greatest joy in your life?

My greatest joy has been in discovering that by being me authentically, I have the power to create not only a life of my own pleasured design, but also a business that serves a huge need for women's health. It will be my greatest privilege to impact the way women's health care is delivered.

If you had to wrap up the wisdom of your life to leave as your legacy- call it YOUR BRILLIANCE- what important things that you've learned would you want to pass on to others?

I've learned to be as emotionally transparent as possible always as it only attracts to me the people with whom I can share and enjoy deep community. I believe it is solely my responsibility to create an environment that supports my playful willingness, stubborn persistence, and gentle compassion for myself.
I trust that things will be okay and that I can cut myself as much slack as I need. Finally, I consciously choose to spend time loving what is and seeing love show itself to me through all people and situations in my life.

If you had just one more thing that you could accomplish in your lifetime, what would it be?

I would love to be a professional ballroom dancer!!!