Leisha Colyn, Ph.D.

My approach to health and wellness coaching focuses on self-care, especially sleep, recovery time, physical activity, and play. I prioritize client-driven goals, paying special attention to existing habits, and the social and physical environments surrounding them. I act as a constant cheerleader for my clients, especially in the face of setbacks.

I have been practicing Vinyasa and Hatha yoga and mindfulness for over 10 years. I feel happiest when reading, exploring, playing outside, and relaxing with my husband and cats. I am an avid hiker, forest bather, and birdwatcher. When not exploring the woods, I might be exploring the waters by kayak, or observing the stars from my hammock. 

I earned a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from Bowling Green State University in 2014. I am an ACE-certified Health Coach and an AFAA-certified Group Fitness Instructor. I am a 500-hr registered yoga teacher, having completed my 200-hour training with YogaRenew in 2020 and my 300-hr training with YogaRenew in 2022. I am also a certified Barre Above™ and PLYOGA™ instructor. I am currently researching physical activity, including physical activity in relation to cardiovascular disease.

Why I became a health coach

I became a health coach after realizing I was out of touch with my mind and body. I spent 30+ years sprinting through life and disconnected from myself. It wasn’t until my 30s that I started to experience the intense pain that came along with mind and body disconnect. 

I have suffered from migraines since the age of 18. The pain permeated my life, interfering with personal relationships, work, and my own sense of self. For the past 20 years, I have been on a journey of learning how to manage this chronic and disabling condition. 

My path to healing involved an analytical approach to understanding the basis for my pain and the fundamental features that could be altered. I researched all the possible tips, tricks, health advice, etc. I tried it all, even when I was skeptical. Some things worked and some things didn’t.

I began using my expertise in psychology to really modify the behaviors that I wanted to change. It required a bit of effort, and sometimes other people asking questions that I hadn't considered. Slowly, I started to feel positive changes in my mind and my body. 

I now leverage my mind-body connection to my benefit, manifesting great results. I want to help other people achieve this as well.

What I want to help my clients achieve

My goal is to foster personalized health and wellness. I want to help people take control of their lives and make things happen for themselves. I want to help people uncover their personal values and to actively shape their lives to be in tune with those values. 

I ask questions that people might not ask themselves in order to foster a deeper understanding of themselves and their goals. I hope to help each person discover what wellness means to them and help them to achieve that vision in their everyday lives. 

My work touches many domains including stress management, sleep management, physical activity, exercise, recovery, relaxation, and play.