What My Grandma, My Bernese Mountain Dog, and the Law Taught Me About Wellness–Which Led Me to Write Wellness Reimagined

by Erin Clifford

As I reflect on my journey—both personal and professional—I see how each chapter of my life led me not only to embrace wellness but to write about it. I always loved to write whether it was in journals as a teenager or research papers in high school. My passion for wellness didn’t emerge overnight; it was shaped by my experiences, struggles, and life experiences. And ultimately, it was the process of writing Wellness Reimagined that allowed me to articulate what I had learned and share it in a way that could truly reach others.

One of my earliest role models was my Grandma Betty—a fearless woman ahead of her time. She embodied strength, courage, and the essence of living a harmonious life. She made everything from scratch, exercised, nurtured her relationships, and even in her nineties, took impeccable care of herself. She showed me that wellness works when it aligns with your values, which planted the seeds for what would become my life’s work. Yet I didn’t appreciate that when I started writing down her family recipes it would become my inspiration for bringing a book to life.

Despite the exemplary foundation Grandma Betty laid, my own wellness journey wasn’t without challenges. In college, I struggled with anxiety and an eating disorder, leading me to take time off for treatment which reshaped my perspective on well-being. Later, as a high school English teacher in Chicago Public Schools, I loved teaching but found myself burnt out and disconnected from my own needs. When I brought journaling back into my life it made me appreciate that I needed to make a change. So, I did something drastic—I moved back to the city with my Bernese Mountain Dog and went to law school. Law school led me to work alongside my father and build a meaningful career in the legal field. The stressors of professional life—both my own and those I saw in my colleagues—made me realize that true well-being wasn’t something we could put off until later. It had to be woven into the fabric of our lives. 

When it came to wellness, I realized I had a secret weapon – my dog Bella. Not only did she bring me joy, but she also kept me active and mentally strong, allowing me to thrive in a demanding field. Wellness came naturally with my dog by my side. So much so, that I began writing a blog to empower women with dogs to embrace a happier, healthier lifestyle, encouraging them to embrace their inner “Rockstar Doggy Momma.” The response was so positive. I felt a pull to keep writing to help more people.

That realization propelled me to deepen my knowledge, studying with top experts, becoming certified as a health and wellness coach and later earning a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University. I worked with professionals, law firms, corporations (and doggy mommas too), helping people integrate wellness into their high-pressure lives. But even as I coached and counseled, I felt there was more I could do to help more people achieve wellness. I had all these insights, experiences, and strategies, yet they lived mostly in conversations, one-on-one sessions, or corporate workshops. I wanted to create something more lasting and accessible—a resource that could reach beyond my immediate circle and into the hands of anyone who needed it.

Too often, we hear about the elusive “work-life balance.” But when I think of balance, I picture a tightrope walker—a precarious act, one misstep away from disaster. That’s not sustainable. Instead, I embrace the concept of harmony. Harmony isn’t about distributing equal weight across life’s demands; it’s about integrating them in a way that aligns with your values and brings fulfillment. And writing this book was an act of harmony for me—it brought together my passion for wellness, my background in teaching, my analytical skills from law, and my deep desire to help others in a meaningful way.

Just as music thrives on harmony—different notes blending together to create something beautiful—our lives flourish when our different roles and responsibilities complement each other. In Wellness Reimagined, I introduce the concept of the “wheel of harmony,” where life’s domains—career, relationships, health, personal growth, and spirituality—intertwine. The goal isn’t to juggle these perfectly, but to connect them meaningfully. A thriving life isn’t about striking a flawless equilibrium but about ensuring that our commitments and passions reinforce rather than deplete one another.

The process of writing this book was its own lesson in harmony. Carving out time to write meant making intentional choices, setting boundaries, and trusting that my voice had something valuable to offer. It meant stepping fully into the role of writer—but someone who believes in the power of words to change lives. Writing required discipline, but it also provided immense clarity. As I worked through the chapters, I found myself revisiting lessons from my own journey, solidifying my beliefs, and sharing a sustainable approach to well-being. In many ways, writing became an extension of my wellness practice—an exercise in self-reflection, creativity, and purpose.

This experience also deepened my appreciation for storytelling as a means of connection. Through words, I could reach people I might never meet, offering them a framework to reimagine their own wellness. That realization was both humbling and energizing. It reinforced that wellness isn’t just a set of practices—it’s a way of engaging with life, and part of my engagement is through writing.

I wrote this book as a permission slip to help people pause, reflect, and intentionally create a life that supports well-being that aligns with their values. It’s about shifting from survival mode to a life that feels rich, meaningful, and whole. And just as my own journey led me to put these ideas into words, I hope my book inspires others to step away from the tightrope and embrace a new way of living—one rooted in purpose, connection, and harmony.

Because true wellness isn’t about doing everything—it’s about creating a life that truly nourishes you. And for me, that includes writing, sharing, and connecting through the power of story. Embracing the identity of a writer has allowed me to offer something beyond immediate coaching or legal guidance—something lasting, something that can sit on a bedside table, be revisited in times of need, and serve as a guide for those searching for a better way to live.

—

About the Author: Erin Clifford, JD, MA, LPC, NBC-HWC, is deeply passionate about helping professionals establish and maintain healthy, happy, and harmonious lifestyles. With extensive training from some of the world’s leading experts in diet, nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle management, corporate clients are particularly drawn to her wellness work because her training is coupled with expertise in education, business, law, and mental health. She wrote Wellness Reimagined: A Holistic Approach to Health, Happiness, and Harmony (Forefront, May 6, 2025) as a means to share her holistic approach to wellness with more people. 

Beyond her role as a wellness consultant, Erin serves as Managing Director at Clifford Law Offices, providing her with an understanding of the stressors that a high-demanding job entails. Born and raised in Chicago, Erin began her career teaching for Chicago Public Schools. She holds a Juris Doctor (JD) from DePaul College of Law and a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Illinois, a National Certified Counselor, and certified as a holistic wellness coach through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. She also holds the highest credential in wellness coaching as a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC). 

WELLNESS REIMAGINED

Wellness Reimagined: A Holistic Approach to Health, Happiness, and Harmony is a practical, empowering guide to creating a flexible, fulfilling wellness routine tailored to your unique lifestyle and goals—so you can live a life you truly love.

Wellness Reimagined is your guide to creating a life that reflects your unique goals, values, and needs. Forget the one-size-fits-all wellness plans—this book is about embracing wellness as an ever-evolving, deeply personal journey. Author and wellness coach Erin Clifford invites you to take a break from the chaos of daily life to redefine what wellness truly means to you. Wellness isn’t just the absence of illness; it’s the presence of a vibrant, harmonious life that nurtures your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

In this guide, Erin shares a holistic, flexible approach that integrates nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, mindful living, and intentional self-care. You’ll learn to create a lifestyle that aligns with your personal values and helps you thrive, not just survive. Instead of rigid routines, you’ll explore adaptable habits and realistic goal-setting techniques to enhance every part of your life—whether that means boosting your energy with a mood-enhancing meal plan, establishing a fitness routine that fits a busy schedule, or practicing mindful stress management.

With practical tools, resources, and Erin’s SMART goal-setting strategies, Erin will empower you to set yourself up for success. You’ll discover how to design a wellness routine that flows with life’s changes, supporting you in both calm and chaotic times. No need for perfect balance; aim for harmony and build a lifestyle that you love—starting with small steps that lead to meaningful change. Start today, and reimagine wellness on your own terms!

BUY HERE

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: On Writing