"Welcome to the Dr. Oz Show, we're so happy you're here..."
For eight years those words were my opening line. My greeting card and my welcome to all the guests that came to The Dr. Oz Show. I was the Travel Supervisor for the show and was responsible for all of the guests once they were booked for segments. My team and I were the ones who got them to NYC for their taping, taking care of all their travel accommodations behind the scenes while they were in town and at the studio for the show.
After 14 years in NYC and eight years at Oz I recently left both in August to take an inspired leap and move to Greenville, SC to focus on unchartered territory- myself. To do the thing I was scared to do. To go and see what was out there for me so I didn't have to wonder what if. To listen to my truth and to follow my inner compass even if I wasn't sure where it would lead.
After traveling thousands of guests for all those years I realized that I took care of them easily and often without taking care of myself. It was time to. I was looking for a shift in health, wellness and perspective that I had never experienced before. But once I started to look- I found it, or actually, I think it found me. After my move to Greenville I was connected to Hilton Head Health- a health and wellness resort within driving distance from my new home where I ended up staying for three months and changing everything. Changing my perspective on a lot of things but especially myself. It's where I saw myself in a new way that I had never seen myself before. Once I started to choose myself it was powerful and got easier with each choice but once I decided to choose my health and that I deserved it-it was even more empowering. It has never been about the weight or losing it to me. Never about a number on the scale or a size dress on the tag. It was about the movement and the knowledge and the sustainability of living a full and healthy life without being restrictive, deprived or shamed.
And just like that in a beautiful blur and only 6 months I went form NYC to SC and then back to NYC to share my new journey with the person from the person from thats been there from the start of it all- Dr. Oz. It was a wild and wonderful full circle moment that I never expected to get but so thankful I did. To show up at the studio and be the one welcomed and greeted with open arms the way I always tried to welcome guests was a powerful moment of pause, gratitude and reflection and I wanted to share my behind the scenes moments with you from this special day.
I walked by this sign on every tape day for years as the audience lined up right next to it before each show. As I walked in this time passing the audience like I used to I knew it was different so I paused to take a moment to reflect on how big of a full circle moment it was.
I had to check in through security at the front where I always greeted all of the guests. It was weird and wonderful to be the visitor this time. I made sure to wear the name tag just in case anyone asked me to do any work that day.
My episode of The Dr. Oz Show is set to air Friday 3/30. Check your local listings here to see where and when you can watch it!