Dr. Susan Biali’s story is remarkable and unique. Leaving her medical practice she danced her way out of depression into the life of her dreams. In an exclusive interview with Suite101 she shares how a healthier happier life is possible. Biali admits that if she had not followed her instincts and taken a risk against the advice of other people she would not have the success and momentum she has today.
From Medicine to Dancing, From Wellness Expert to Author
In her interview with Suite101 Dr. Susan Biali revealed that she is a “formerly depressed medical doctor who lost her way in life and finally found the right path.” This journey led her at age 28 to leave her promising career in emergency medicine in Canada behind to pursue dancing. At age 31 she started Flamenco dance and a few years later moved to Los Cabos, Mexico and become a professional Flamenco dancer and launch her own dance company.
This adventure has taught Biali much about what truly creates a healthy and happy life style. Her journey coupled with her medical training led to a practice in life coaching and today a successful career as an author and wellness speaker.
When asked what label Biali ascribes to herself, she responds with a chuckle in her voice: “I am an adventurer. Life is full of surprises if you let life go where it wants to go. I can’t say where I am going tomorrow but I trust in the process and it will take me somewhere even more amazing than I could have imagined.”
Seven Steps to a Happy and Healthy Life
Biali admits that because of her medical training and degree in nutrition that her concept of a healthy lifestyle was originally limited to just focusing on the body. Through her own life story, she identified seven different areas in life responsible for a happy and healthy lifestyle only one of which is related to the body and nutrition.
Other areas include knowing who you truly are, managing relationships, spirituality, creativity, and living one’s dreams. All of which are outlined in Dr. Biali’s book Your Prescription for Life! 7 Steps to A Healthier, Happier You published by Beaufort Books and scheduled to be released in January 2010.
“I hope these steps and my own story will give readers a whole new way of looking at their body, health and lives as a whole,” explains Biali “what I try to teach is that most of the answers one may be looking for can be found within oneself. You just have to know where to look.” The book provides tools that enables readers to continuously assess their lives and how they can create success on their own.
And Dr. Biali should know because she has applied the steps outlined in her book in her own life. According to Biali, the key to her own success was taking the first step which was allowing herself to be herself. “It wasn’t until I took my focus from external things such as other people’s opinions about life and started to really connect with myself that the vision of my life became clear. It’s about turning the spotlight on aspects of one’s life that one may have not paid much attention to,” Biali explains.
Flamenco Dance Teaches Success
In her keynotes and workshops Dr. Biali teaches her prescription for life and success to various groups. Her approach to teaching her philosophy is unique as she incorporates Flamenco dance to illustrate her points. Flamenco dance is an expressive dance. “There are different styles called palos,” Biali tells Suite101.
“They can express everything from great joy to profound sadness or frustration and solitude. To illustrate my points I perform the corresponding palos which provides the audience with a visual and time to reflect on what they just heard. Plus it has an entertainment value and energizes the audience.”
Dr. Biali is taking her success story on the road. With invitations to speak in Canada, U.S., Mexico and Europe she hopes to broaden her message to Latin American countries. Biali is fluent in Spanish and already working on getting her book published in Spanish.
Having lived in Mexico for four years she noticed there is much interest in wellness and self actualization but a lack of resources. “Many women in Latin American countries have been focused on survival for so long,” explains Biali with a sigh. “They haven’t had the time to focus on wellness, nutrition and economic possibilities for them that go beyond the basics of life.”
Dr. Biali is sure to change that as her message transcends gender and cultures. Susan Biali lives with her husband and dog in Canada. Read more about Dr. Susan Biali and her success formula in Creating the Life You Want.
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