Meet Deyla Elliott

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Deyla Elliott. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Deyla, so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?

As a health coach, naturally this question uniquely caught my eye as I am full of feeling about helping others enter into taking care of their well being. While also learning how to do so for myself as things change around me. Self-care is a term that we have all heard so much, but our practice of it, our vigilant practice of it is many times non-existent. In the last several months (since October or November of 2023) a major item of self-care that I have been practicing are pause points, breaks throughout my day. These pauses can be a walk down the hallway outside of the office my day job takes place in, a lap or two around the building, or sitting outside on a rock to get a little sunlight and fresh air. Certainly this helps physically to get some movement, but even more importantly, for me, it gives me time to (one) check in with myself and (two) recalibrate inwardly. The pace of all of our lives has us going on all cylinders most times of the day, so much so that it is challenging for many of us to settle down within even when we are physically still. This can also have us feeling unsure about what particular care we really need to render to our person. Regular pause points throughout my day make me stop – there I just become aware of where I am nourished and where I am lacking. Secondly, the stopping points provide a way to remain more sharp than not. Stephen Covey wrote about the example of sharpening the saw – our concept is that when we have responsibilities, we simply to keep working, going (sawing) until the job is done (dullness inevitably comes). But if we stop periodically to rest/reset, we come back to our tasks/work/responsibilities with a “sharp saw”. The practice, dare I even say art, of stopping myself, especially as someone who stays busy, has been revolutionizing to the well being of my person.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

The first hat that I wear and enjoy telling others about is my being a Health Coach – I assist others (primarily active women professionals, entrepreneurs, and business owners in becoming more vibrant in their living by what they eat (both physically and inwardly), as well as in what they wear. My health coaching practice is called “Health From Dey to Day” – a play on my name that speaks to: (one) maintaining our well being is a day to day effort; and (two) speaking to the fact that I am alongside and partnering with clients along this journey. The attire/fashion styling piece of my practice is a new addition. But when I was gearing up to start my practice after graduating from a health coaching program in 2015, one of the ways I saw myself supporting others was through this very component – nearly ten years later, I am excited about creating that experience for others.

I also have a day job as an Enrollment Operations Manager at an educational company that partners with institutions all over the United States to support their launch, powering, and carrying out of their hybrid, accelerated healthcare education doctorate level programs! Participating in the support of these programs has been full of learning opportunities and has been a tremendous privilege – somehow even more than that, is supporting the staff who I supervise in their development while they render their skillset and support to the work we do.

Thirdly, I serve as a co-president of a local chapter of a national organization that supports women in business and work, FemCity – the local chapter is: FemCity San Antonio. There are a growing number of women organizations women can take advantage of – FemCity drew me years ago with its plentiful library of resources to develop women at every stage of development professionally while also tending to the very important work of supporting women showing up in their fullness – for themselves and for one another. I am very thankful for the opportunity to serve with my co-president and the exceptionally talented women we serve on the board with.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

A quality or skill that has been most impactful in my journey is the ability and the watchfulness over the details of a task at hand while being vigilant for the intricacies of the people involved. Far too often one is sacrificed for the other – but the work is always made harder when that takes place. And the details of both actually and always matter. Second, mindful and intentional transparency in interacting with others will go a long way – a quality, skill, and area of knowledge that continues to get developed in me. I feel like I have exercised to do this for a long time now, but there always seems to be new, uncovered/untouched ground to be gained in this matter! Third, presenting our best self outwardly sows and reaps fruit that will serve us. We are in a time where the attention to the matter of dress is lessening – but the impact made when do give attention to how we present ourselves pays dividends.

Development for these items:
Learn which one of the two you are strong at and align yourself with someone who has a skillset in the other area – this will help develop both muscles within you and them. One can call out the blind spots of the other and vice versa.
Two, don’t hide from the challenging conversations and the challenging feelings that come along with going into, having, and coming out of those conversations. Seeking the mentorship or development from someone who leans into this is huge for progress.
Third, I emphasize dressing and showing up as our best selves – because if we feel good in what we are wearing, the ripple effect that it has is unmatched, including on the work that we do. The emphasis is NOT on dressing for others, but for ourselves first with an awareness of the spaces that we occupy. Connecting with someone who embodies this is also helpful – they can help speak to some the details of fit, color, sizing, appropriateness, etc while also having the lens of you and what’s authentic to your person.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was (and still do) pattern what it is to show up for and pour into others for the benefit, growth, and development. Individuals from all kinds of backgrounds have the beneficiaries of their inward burden (burden in a positive sense) to serve and support others.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @healthdeytoday
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deylaelliott/
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@deylaelliottchc4482

Image Credits

Lexi Chaleff-Maples; Jaslyn Garza