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Meet Christina Tondora of Health For Your Whole Life in Ahwatukee

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Tondora.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Christina. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Everyone has a story…I wasn’t always “Dr. T.” After earning a degree in Electrical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1987, I found the perfect job as a helicopter avionics test engineer. I was responsible for all ground and flight testing of the avionics equipment for each helicopter. What I liked most about working at Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, CT, was not only was I able to use my problem-solving skills and engineering knowledge, but it also gave me an opportunity to interact with many different people from all walks of life: from Vice-Presidents to engineers, to lab technicians to line workers, and even, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. And I didn’t have to be at a desk much, which suited me just fine. The best part was being a flight engineer. I loved flying as part of my job! I was fortunate to work on many different projects including Coast Guard Search and Rescue, Army Special Operations Aircraft, and aircraft for Saudi Arabia.

Eight years into my employment however, I tore my ACL and took a 6-month disability leave to recover from knee surgery. Sitting for hours with your leg strapped into a passive-motion machine certainly gives you time for self-reflection. I did some soul-searching and asked myself, “What do I want to be when I grow up?” I had always been driven to help people and, although I had a great job and financial security (I could have easily put in my 30 years and retired comfortably), my soul was screaming for something more. I knew deep down that me being flat on my ass was a “wake-up call,” to be, think and do more. (Engineering was, at that time, being a mostly male-dominated field. I remember thinking to myself, “Do I really want to be sitting in an office 8 hours a day surrounded by unhappy, balding, over-weight middle-aged white men for the rest of my career?” Okay…..You can’t print that! But that was what I was truly thinking! Hahaha!). Honestly, I came to the realization that I no longer wanted to work for someone else, that 9 to 5 was NOT for me, and that I’d be much happier working for myself.

I remember sharing with my physical therapist that, maybe, I’d become a physical therapist too, or a chiropractor. She looked at me one day during my PT session, and simply said, “You need to be a doctor.” And I said, “Okay.” From that moment, I never looked back. Almost simultaneously, a friend suggested I become a Naturopathic Doctor. Even though Connecticut was one of the few states at that time to license Naturopathic Doctors, I was unfamiliar with them. So I researched the profession, and it made perfect sense to me. If we can find the cause of a problem, remove any obstacles to wellness and give the body what it needs, the body will heal itself. It fit perfectly with me as a problem-solver. Instead of working on machines, I got a chance to work with people and really make a difference. I had found my calling!

So in 1995, I quit my job, moved to Arizona, enrolled at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (SCNM), and four years later began practicing Naturopathic Medicine. The last 18 years have been challenging, thrilling and fulfilling; and I wouldn’t change a thing. Throughout my career, I have held appointments as Clinical Instructor of Naturopathic Medicine at SCNM, Clinical Faculty of Rainstar University, member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP-our National organization), member of the Arizona Naturopathic Medical Association (AZNMA), member of the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians, Inc. (OncANP), and a former VP of the Arizona Naturopathic Medical Association.. I am on the Board of Directors for the Hills of Erin Cancer Prevention Foundation (Ottawa, CA – www.preventcancernow.ca), and Medical Adviser for Cancer Crackdown (Greenville, SC. www.cancercrackdown.org), and past Chairwoman of the Answer For Cancer Society (see below).

In 2003, I began practicing yoga following the sudden death of my brother, Michael, and quite simply, yoga saved my life. It provided an outlet for the grief I experienced, and it led me to a spiritual path for living. (Michael was the fourth child in my family to pass away). I later deepened my practice of yoga, becoming a CYT-200 yoga instructor in 2008. During my yoga teach training, I developed a seminar called “Yoga, Cancer and Healing.” Early in my practice, I had treated many cancer patients using naturopathic therapies. With Yoga, Cancer and Healing, I combined my knowledge of medicine with the spiritual philosophy of yoga to provide a new way of viewing cancer – the cause, development, treatment, and the language used by doctors and patients alike. In 2008, I asked my former cancer patient and fellow yogini, Ms. Susan B. Smith, to present this workshop with me, to give people both a medical and patient perspective on how to deal with cancer by reframing their awareness and attitude towards it. By using the principles and practice of yoga, we come to understand that healing doesn’t come from a pill or a potion; healing starts with us and comes from us. In 2008 and 2009, Susan and I presented this seminar both locally and nationally. Sadly, Susan passed away on March, 22, 2010. Upon her passing, I promised her that I would continue bringing forth our healing message.

A week after Susan’s passing, as fate would have it, I was introduced to Del Ferguson and Jason Bosa, two Canadian friends who had come up with the idea to ride their motorcycles through every state in the US and all 10 Provinces in Canada to raise funds for Cancer research. They, in turn, founded the non-profit group the Answer for Cancer Society in Vancouver, BC. From there, the Answer for Cancer Tour was born. I immediately knew I had to be a part of this special tour. Once I joined, I shifted the focus of the Tour from research to education on prevention, environmental factors, and natural treatment options for cancer. We raise over $400,000 along the way.

In 2011, the Answer For Cancer Tour travelled 20,00 miles across all 48 U.S. states and 10 Provinces of Canada in 60 days educating and bringing forth our message of hope and healing. It was one of the most profound experiences of my life. During this time, I learned that great things can come from tragedy, and that pain is real, but suffering is optional.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It wouldn’t be a story if there weren’t struggles… Starting my own business was challenging. I’m a doctor, not a business person, but when you start your own business, you become all of that. And often you are working 7 days a week. There’s always something to do: office, website, networking etc. I made a lot of business decisions along the way which ended up costing me money, but those were all learning experiences; you can’t dwell on your mistakes; we all make them. It’s not that you stumble and fall, we all do. It’s about getting back up and what you do when you get back up. A true test of a person is not how they respond to success, but how they respond to failure.

I had a good friend once tell me, “You’re only as great as the size of the mistake you’re prepared to make.”

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Health For Your Whole Life – what should we know?
I specialize weight management/body composition, nutrition, 10-Day Detox, 90-Day Total Body Transformation, Bio-identical hormone Replacement Therapy for men and women, and chronic conditions such as chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and other autoimmune disorders, IBS, cancer, chronic pain etc.

One unique aspect of my practice since 2008, has been as Consulting Physician for Professional and amateur Bodybuilding, Physique, Figure, Bikini and Fitness Competitors, providing individualized support for all their nutrition, body composition and healthcare needs. I was the title sponsor for the first Western Regional Bikini Champion in 2009, and for Miss Arizona USA 2009, along with many other top finishers. I love working with competitors because it motivates me to stay in shape!

I offer nutritional consultations, IV/vitamin therapy, ozone therapy, B12 injection therapy, Bio-HRT, homeopathy, immune support for cancer and chronic diseases, acupuncture, Reiki and craniosacral energy medicine and nutritional supplementation.

I have my own Health for Your Whole Life™ private label nutraceuticals, and I also offer the Health for Your Whole Life™ Affiliate Program which is open to personal trainers, nutritionists, RDs, health coaches and other allied health professionals. My goal for 2018 is to have an Affiliate Partner in all 50 states.

Since 2011, my practice has shifted in focus. I now travel and do more educational retreats, workshops, seminars and public speaking events, although I still maintain my office in Ahwatukee. I consider myself a Concierge Functional Medicine Specialist, offering on-line, phone and Skype Naturopathic consultations for people all across the world.

As you probably gathered, I love to teach and interact with people. So for 2018, I am now offering 3-day Yoga, Cancer and Healing retreats across the country, in Canada and Costa Rica, Soul Cleanse weekend and week-long retreats in Santa FE, NM, a Detox/Cleanse 7-day retreat in Baja Mexico, along with workshops such as 10-Day Detox, Yoga for Hormones and Yoga for Thyroid Health.

One of the unique events I do is facilitate a Radical Forgiveness Ceremony. Radical Forgiveness is a powerful way for us to release the energy we hold in our bodies from past negative experiences, and help us to understand that everything happens for a reason, whether we know it or not. It shifts our awareness that things don’t happen to you, they happen for you. This shift in perspective changes your whole life. Over the last two years, I’ve partnered with several Equine Therapists across the country, using their Therapy Horses as part of the Ceremony. Interacting with these magnificent, intuitive, sentient beings is an empowering, life-changing experience, indeed.

I think what sets me apart are several things: My perspective on life – Life is to be lived and enjoyed! If you’re not happy with who you are, where you live, what you do or how you feel, change it! You have the power. Struggles are nothing more than opportunities for us to fully experience our humanness. Experiencing loss or tragedy, as I have, changes you. It can change you in one of two ways, I suppose. You can either choose to become closed, sad and bitter, or open, loving and caring; I chose the latter. Understanding that you have this choice is why the Radical Forgiveness Ceremony is so important for people to experience. True happiness comes from within; it is a state of mind.

My genuine caring and compassion for people. I try to get to know everyone that walks through my door, and not just what their symptoms are, but WHO THEY ARE as a person. I want anyone who trusts me with their health to feel that they have a partner and guide in their health journey; that they are not in this alone. I take the time to listen. I think listening is a lost art. I can’t tell you the number of patients who have told me that they felt better already after talking with me for an hour! Most people listen to respond; I listen to understand.

I’m definitely not your typical Doctor. I don’t wear a white coat. I never have. I always tell people, “Wearing a white coat or having a stethoscope draped around my neck doesn’t make me any smarter.” I treat everyone as a friend; I laugh, joke and give hugs. Plus, I’m really smart! 🙂

I am intuitive by nature and have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. I am always seeking to learn and do more. Retirement isn’t even in my vocabulary. I’m always thinking about what I can do next. Sometimes I feel as if I’m just getting started.

I am proud to be a Naturopathic Medical Doctor, a seeker of knowledge and an original member of The Answer for Cancer Tour. My life’s mission is to bring health and wellness to the planet by helping people understand their divinity and purpose. We each have our own unique purpose. My friends, family, clients and colleagues inspire me to live better, do more and give back. I love being a doctor, I love being a teacher, but, mostly, I love being a student of life.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
My sense of curiosity. Like I said before, I have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. I want to see and experience as much as I can in the time that I have on this planet. I am always seeking to learn and do more. Retirement isn’t even in my vocabulary. When most people my age are thinking about retirement, I’m thinking about what I can do next. Sometimes I feel as if I’m just getting started.

Also, I think it’s important to have an “Attitude of Gratitude.” Gratitude changes everything. My life hasn’t been perfect or easy by any means, and I feel very fortunate to have the opportunities that I’ve had. I feel it’s important to give back. My service to others is my way of giving back.

Pricing:

  • Initial Consultation – $300
  • Follow-Up Consultation – $150
  • 10-Day Whole Body Detox Programs: $199 – $259
  • Health for Your Whole Life™ Affiliate Program

Contact Info:


Image Credit:
Kentonstudios.com (ACT photo)

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