Paige Taggart

I believe that we have to be our own best advocates. When there's a problem to be solved, I can't seem to stop, and I don't just take conventional wisdom as the first answer. I see where we could improve with our environmental practices and in our healthcare system, which I call the sick care system. What it boils down to is being willing to think outside the box, and if you're not getting the answers that you need, particularly ones for loved ones, be willing to dig deep in the research and don't just trust the conventional wisdom just because that's what's been done for a period of time. Don't just trust a white coat - be your own advocate and do the research.

One of my favorite quotes is by Eleanor Roosevelt: 'Small minds discuss people, average minds discuss events, and great minds discuss ideas.' I like to surround myself with people that discuss ideas because that keeps me inspired. One of the biggest lessons I've learned, especially through the hurricanes and the things that have happened, is to be willing to pivot. Sometimes we are so focused on a goal and things are just not working out, falling apart around us, and sometimes there might be a better path. I like to say resistance can be a gift. So I'd say be willing to pivot and surround yourself with people that you respect and admire that are doing things that you want to do. Someone who means a tremendous amount to me used to always say, 'This too shall pass.'

I'd say don't be afraid to be creative. If you're multi-passionate, as Marie Forleo would say, figure out a way. Sometimes people will tell you to focus on one thing, and it's scary to try something new, but sometimes you can combine your passions and do something that's truly meaningful and might just be your individual path. So don't be afraid to explore and think creatively.

In the dog advocacy space, the biggest challenge is the overflow of shelters and it's hard to control people that maybe don't spay or neuter or keep an eye on their dog. In health and wellness, the challenge is that everybody's so busy and bombarded by so much information that sometimes you just want to tune it out. That's one thing that's important to me - to try to be a trusted resource so I can provide clarity for people, because even as a health coach, it's amazing to me how many different opinions there are, and one sounds so legit and then you hear something completely different. Bio-individuality is critical when it comes to your personal health and wellness and your pet's, and that's not being taken into consideration. The challenge in Florida with lawn maintenance is that we're just really behind in considering any other way of doing things, and our waterways are really paying the price - the wildlife, the manatees. There are so many simple things people could be doing. My challenge is getting that message across in a way that doesn't shut people down, but maybe connects them and raises some awareness and a desire for us to reconsider how we're doing things, particularly here in Florida, because the water's just right underneath us.

The values most important to me are to be in integrity with yourself and be authentic. Don't jump at something just because somebody dangles a carrot in front of you because it's a great salary - make sure to check in and make sure that it's aligned with your values. Be honest and treat people not just the way you want to be treated, but like a human being. We're all so disconnected. Just take a moment to put the phones down and look up at the person that's checking you out, and realize they're a human too. Ask them how they're doing and acknowledge them. I think that goes a long way in today's world.