Briefly introduce yourself and share a bit about your background.
My name is Albena and I have just joined the University of Alabama’s College of Arts & Sciences as an Instructor at New College and New College LifeTrack. I am Eastern European, Bulgarian, to be precise, and I moved to the U.S. to pursue a PhD in Public Administration. Prior to that, I spent a decade travelling around the world as a loyalty marketing consultant to five-star hotels.
Can you describe the starting point of your journey and the factors that led to this decision?
It all started one day in the office – upon attempting to get up from the chair at my desk, I experienced an excruciating pain in my lower back, to the point that I could barely stand, let alone walk. Later that week, I was diagnosed with a herniated disc – a condition that many people live with from a certain point in their life. I have always been active – went to the gym almost daily, maintained a healthy weight due to the Mediterranean diet I grew up with, took the occasional multivitamin, and considered myself relatively healthy. The herniated disc diagnosis, however, changed my life forever. Before I knew it, I became a hypochondriac and couldn’t live without my painkillers.
Finally, after dozens of costly visits to the doctor’s office that only offered a temporary relief, I decided to take matters into my own hands – found some yoga and Pilates videos on YouTube and gradually advanced from 10 minutes a day to 30, 40, eventually 60 min of exercises every day. At some point, I also started incorporating strength training. And I never looked back.
How has your wellness journey influenced your daily life, including work, relationships, and overall well-being?
Incorporating yoga and Pilates on a daily basis has now become an effortless routine. Besides the obvious advantages of being in shape, I have rarely been sick, and I don’t remember needing any medications for years. Seeing your doctor only once a year for a brief annual check-up feels incredibly liberating.
What were some challenges or obstacles you encountered during your wellness journey?
During the Covid pandemic, when moving around was not an option, I bought yoga and Pilates equipment (a mat, a ball, bands, etc.), even a trampoline and made sure I stuck to my routine. That also kept me mentally grounded amidst the uncertainty.
What advice would you give to someone who is just starting their wellness journey?
It’s never too late to transform your life. It may not be easy at first, but if you persevere, before you know it, exercise will become part of your daily routine. Yoga, Pilates, and stretching overall are good for your blood circulation, and circulation is what heals your body.