Women In Wellness: Meagan Visnaskas of NH Health & Wellness Center on the Five Lifestyle Tweaks That Will Help Support People’s Journey Towards Better Wellbeing

An Interview With Candice Georgiadis

Say “thank you” to more than just humans. This could mean animals, spaces, objects, food, weather, a good book, a wonderful night’s sleep, plants. Dr. Daniel Amen has done studies and brain scans on how gratitude positively affects the brain. There have been studies performed on how speaking kindly to plants can help them grow faster. I once had a summer goal to smile and say hello to every person I passed on the street while I was running. I even made a point to take my headphones out, make eye contact, smile and say hello. That feeling of connection really warmed me. The same goes for saying, “thank you.” The most popular for me is thanking spaces. I always thank my office space when I leave each night.

As a part of our series about “5 Lifestyle Tweaks That Will Dramatically Improve One’s Wellbeing”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Meagan Visnaskas.

Meagan Visnaskas is a licensed massage therapist (LMT), certified Reiki Master Teacher (RMT), and registered yoga instructor (RYT), working alongside 12 healthcare practitioners at the NH Health & Wellness Center in Nashua, NH. She has been trained in deep tissue, reflexology, somatic massage, Swedish massage, craniosacral therapy, cupping, and Thai massage stretching. She offers unique and holistic body work sessions where clients experience symptom relief in all areas: physically, mentally, and emotionally. Meagan has a bachelor’s degree in EcoGastronomy and Philosophy from the University of New Hampshire and a degree in holistic massage therapy from Nashua Community College. Her diverse background and training have led her to view each client as being interwoven with threads of their own physical, mental, and emotional histories and experiences. Her deep sense of intuition combined with her holistic approach enable her to guide clients in self-care practices beyond their therapy sessions. With a passion for organic and sustainable food, she has learned this is only part of the equation to healing and deep bliss. In 2017, she became a 200-hour registered yoga teacher and in 2019 became a yoga instructor at Southern New Hampshire University.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the story about how you first got involved in fitness and wellness?

Of course. As a young adult, I really enjoyed cooking and experimenting with ingredients to create tasty and healthy dishes. When I was 16 years old, I became a vegetarian and almost immediately noticed a shift in my energy. I felt lighter and more energized. I was so intrigued with this concept of energy. Food is energy, how food is grown, how the meal is prepared, and how mindfully it is consumed. The popular question I studied in philosophy was, “What is the meaning of life and what constitutes a happy life?” Somewhere in my 15-page long philosophy paper was a thought about feeling good, like really good. And we feel good by taking care of ourselves. I was 20 years old during my first Reiki training course. For those who aren’t familiar with Reiki, it is abundant life force energy that focuses on balancing the energy of the body. I was blown away by the power of touch, intention, and how powerful energy is. A few years after that, I developed a yoga practice, and a couple years later, I decided to enroll in massage therapy school. I was really fascinated by breath work, mindfulness, and compassionate touch.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?

It is truly amazing how the body interacts and communicates. I have had clients come to me who request deep work. As I do deep work on them, I feel their body tense up and battle against me in a way. When this happens, I slow my pace down and decrease the pressure. I can almost immediately feel their body let go and relax.

Can you share a story with us about the most humorous mistake you made when you were first starting? What lesson or take-away did you learn from that?

I have made my fair share of mistakes when I first started out and I still do. I am constantly learning and making adjustments. During a client’s massage session, I have forgotten to put my massage playlist on repeat and very rap music came on! Unfortunately, more than once, I have forgotten to put my phone on “do not disturb” and it rang loudly during a yoga class or a massage appointment.

Most notably is probably when I put my iPhone and my water bottle in my yoga bag together, the cap came loose, and my phone was submerged in a puddle of water, destroying it right before I walked in to teach a yoga class. Yes, the infamous black screen of death. I was there to teach so regardless of what just happened, I had to get into the headspace to teach and leave my dying phone at the door. I tucked my drama aside and did my best to deliver an amazing flow and practice to the students who showed up for yoga class. Unpredictable things happen, but it isn’t the end of the world. Keep moving forward, especially when clients and students are involved.

Can you share with our readers a bit about why you are an authority in the fitness and wellness field? In your opinion, what is your unique contribution to the world of wellness?

I am a huge believer in gentle and subtle bodywork. Deeper pressure is not always the best choice. I want to hold a space for clients to really get in touch with their deeper “stuff.” I am referring to emotions and memories we repress, the anger we push away and feelings we insist on hiding. The mind and body are so connected, so addressing mental health is important. I often suggest mindful podcasts, meditations, and books to my clients based on what I think may support them. When I am doing bodywork, I always want to be present with my client. My silent mantra to the client and their energy space is, “I’m listening, show me the way, thank you.”

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

Oh yes…This is an easy answer. Karen is the owner of the NH Health & Wellness Center and has been a dear friend of mine for over a decade. She introduced me and trained me in Reiki in 2010, woke me up to my yoga practice in 2014, and is now my colleague and a mentor of mine. In 2014 and 2015 when I was in massage school, I would perform clinical hours on Karen. She was always honest and open with feedback. I am quite convinced that Reiki was the gateway that led me to my love for yoga and touch. In 2020, she invited me to join the NH Health & Wellness Center, which had been a goal of mine ever since the Center opened in 2016!

During my senior year of college, I created my capstone project on the importance of being part of a community. I had always craved the opportunity to function independently but also wanted to have an amazing community by my side -teaching me, inspiring me, and supporting me. For about a year while living in Maryland in 2018, I worked at a spa as a massage therapist. I was getting booked for clients for techniques I did not specialize in, had seven minutes between each client, followed a strict routine for massage style, and received less than 25% of what the client was paying for the service. When I left that job, I knew I would only move forward with massage therapy if I was my own boss and was surrounded by others who practice what they preach. For many years, I admired Karen, and I still do. I received treatments at the Center in 2016 and always felt an overwhelming feeling of gratitude and joy when I was there. I also felt in alignment being there. Like “Ah, yes! This is the place for me!” I was over the moon ecstatic when Karen asked me to join the amazing community at the Center.

Ok thank you for all that. Now let’s move to the main focus of our interview. We all know that it’s important to eat more vegetables, eat less sugar, exercise more, and get better sleep etc. But while we know it intellectually, it’s often difficult to put it into practice and make it a part of our daily habits. In your opinion what are the 3 main blockages that prevent us from taking the information that we all know, and integrating it into our lives?

I am guilty of this at times. We all are.

1. Knowledge: I think if more people understood the personal ripple effect of sugar, lack of sleep, and lack of exercise, they would be more motivated to make a shift. In today’s culture, it can be a challenge to get the full truth about something. For this reason, I suggest doing your own research. Listen to as many podcasts and audiobooks as you can. Ask a lot of questions! Anytime I have a visit with my chiropractor, acupuncturist, naturopathic doctor, therapist and massage therapist, I always ask them questions and take note of their responses and point of view. For example, a sub shop chain markets itself as healthy and eating fresh. One would assume that eating here would be a healthy choice. But according to Food Babe AKA Vani Hari (activist), a 6-inch black forest ham sub has hidden MSG, chemical additives, refined bleached flour, refined sugars, nitrates, and artificial colors.
2. Priorities: Many times, our priorities are out of line. Unfortunately, many of us believe or partly believe that success comes from making money, picking up the slack at work, and being selfless. We are all worthy of feeling vibrant, alive, and strong. If you are wondering why you have low energy and are feeling anxious, it might be time to make a change. This can be scary and takes courage. I have talked with some folks who complain endlessly about their job — it’s draining, they don’t feel appreciated, they feel overworked, and they feel extremely frustrated when they leave work, and even when they get home. Acknowledging this and breaking the cycle can be scary. It may involve some minor shifts, like saying “No” when asked to come in on your day off. It may take a major shift, stepping down from a role at work, going part-time, finding a new job all together, or adjusting your schedule so you can go to a yoga class twice a week. The best investment you will ever make is in yourself.
3. Time: If you want to know how much time you spend on your phone, turn on the screen time app and you might be unpleasantly surprised at the amount of time you spend on social media apps, games, and work apps off hours. When did being extremely busy become a good thing? Many of us brag that we are super busy and don’t have any time. If we decreased phone time, we could potentially schedule in 15 minutes of exercise or stretching.

Can you please share your “5 Non-Intuitive Lifestyle Tweaks That Will Dramatically Improve One’s Wellbeing”? (Please share a story or an example for each, and feel free to share ideas for mental, emotional and physical health.)

1. Move every day in an intentional way. This could be anything from stretching, dancing, yoga, Zumba®, weight lifting, breath work, or a walk outside. I had a chiropractor once tell me that if everyone did yoga every day he would be out of a job. I think it’s critical to perform movement with intentions, as they help to anchor us in the present moment. Integrate this into your every day, like taking 5 or 10 minutes here and there throughout your day to stretch or for breath work. Have a walking meeting with someone. Have weights readily available at your desk or in the car.
2. Get clear on your boundaries and your values. Boundaries can be set with yourself, work, consumption (food or social media are just two examples), family and friends. Setting a boundary may sound simple and easy, but it may take some practice. It also has the possibility of feeling a little uncomfortable, especially if you are typically a people pleaser. If you are constantly covering shifts at work, running errands for a friend, responding to every message ASAP on your phone, and saying yes any time a family member asks you to spent time, you may be feeling a little drained because you are spending so much energy on others. One tool I like to use is asking myself: “What is in my best interest?” This typically is a good guide for me to make a healthy choice. Once you establish firm boundaries and are clear on what is important to you, it will have a wonderful domino effect on your life. It will help preserve your energy so you can invest that energy into what is truly important.
3. Turn the darn phone off, please! Get present with yourself and whoever you’re spending time with in real life. Disconnect for a bit and sit in silence for some time; it can be quite powerful. When we sit in silence, we also begin to feel our feelings. That’s the place where we start to heal. I witness this often in body work sessions when I am working with clients. I have heard from multiple clients on the massage table, “Is this supposed to be emotional?” The phone is a constant distraction. I feel like it pulls us out of the present moment. Drop in and feel your feelings. If this is too much, try putting your phone on Do Not Disturb, putting it on silent, setting limits on your apps or moving your social media apps to the last screen.
4. Find a healthy balance between routine and leaving space for the unknown. I have created a routine so that I can be spontaneous without feeling stressed. A great book for routine and discipline is, The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma. A lovely book for breaking patterns and creating new experiences is, Becoming Supernatural by Dr. Joe Dispenza. If you’re feeling “stuck,” this may be the perfect tweak for you. If you are tired of your experiences, it’s time to create new ones. Dr. Joe speaks about creating new thoughts and imagining future feelings. An exercise for this could simply be imagining yourself in the future at a new job or with a new partner. You’ll want to get specific on what emotions you’d be feeling during this amazing new experience. As far as routine goes, this is helpful for productivity and feeling grounded. While in bed at night, I go over my agenda for the next day. It’s helpful to see where I can plug time in to relax, and how I can prepare to keep the day moving smoothly and not feeling rushed.
5. Say “thank you” to more than just humans. This could mean animals, spaces, objects, food, weather, a good book, a wonderful night’s sleep, plants. Dr. Daniel Amen has done studies and brain scans on how gratitude positively affects the brain. There have been studies performed on how speaking kindly to plants can help them grow faster. I once had a summer goal to smile and say hello to every person I passed on the street while I was running. I even made a point to take my headphones out, make eye contact, smile and say hello. That feeling of connection really warmed me. The same goes for saying, “thank you.” The most popular for me is thanking spaces. I always thank my office space when I leave each night.

As an expert, this might be obvious to you, but I think it would be instructive to articulate this for the public. Aside from weight loss, what are 3 benefits of daily exercise? Can you explain?

1. Exercise improves mood and energy. It can help increase the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is responsible for regulating mood. Who doesn’t love being in a good mood and having great energy?
2. Exercise improves sleep: As mentioned, exercise effects serotonin, which plays a role in the body’s wake-sleep cycle. The activity increases your sleep drive.
3. Exercise improves your sex life: Simply put, working out can help one feel sexy! This may result in a boost in self-confidence. The practice of breath control, flexibility, and ability to be present can lead to a better, longer, and more connected sexual experience. For men, exercise can increase testosterone. For ladies, exercise can affect neurotransmitters and hormones.

For someone who is looking to add exercise to their daily routine, which 3 exercises would you recommend that are absolutely critical?

These are my favorites:

1. Sun salutations, a key part of any vinyasa flow style yoga practice: This can be restorative and slow or it can be intense and quick if you are more experienced with yoga. I love this exercise because you can really incorporate breath work and open up so many different parts of your body and mind.
2. Modified plank/side plank: This helps ignite your core and obliques. I would suggest a modification to be sure your alignment is correct and proper muscles are engaged.
3. High Boat pose-Low Boat pose: This exercise not only strengthens your core, it also strengthens the erectors on either side of your spine and the hip flexors/quadriceps of the upper legs. This is so important, especially for people who are in a sitting position all day. Strong hip flexors can help with posture and help decrease low back pain.

Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story?

Yes, my absolute favorite book that I have read over five times at this point is, The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo. I cannot recall exactly how I stumbled upon this book, but sometime around 2009–2010 it entered my life. In 2012, I wrote a final philosophy paper on this book, and I have mailed a copy of this book to countless friends. It is a beautiful novel about a boy on his search for love. Throughout the novel are so many memorable quotes and lessons. This book was the first time I was introduced to the universe/spirit having my back and letting go of fear. One of my absolute favorite quotes from this book is, “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” This was the quote that helped me in feeling OK with having a non-traditional dream and goal. This book helped me feel secure in my values. Sharing love and feeling good are my goals in life. I might not have the same dreams and desires as the person sitting next to me and that is perfectly fine. The Alchemist was also a nice introduction to the power of intention, mindfulness, and manifestation.

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

Let’s talk about mental health and therapy openly and honestly. On top of that, let’s stop keeping stories untold within us that we label as “shameful.” Life happens, and we all make mistakes and do things that we aren’t proud of. I love the Maya Angelou quote, “There’s no better agony than bearing an untold story within you.”

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life?

I love the quote, “If it’s both terrifying and amazing you should definitely pursue it.” So often we make decisions based on fear. Growth and miracles most likely happen outside of our comfort zone, and that space will feel uncomfortable and possibly stir up some fear.

For almost five years, I had been dreaming of joining the NH Health & Wellness Center. One afternoon in April 2020, I received a phone call inviting me to join the team at the Center. I was absolutely floored, excited, and completely scared. I also thought, “Could this timing be any worse?” We were in the middle of a pandemic, massage was closed down, and no one had any idea what the future would hold for touch therapies. I had a few people cheering me on to take the leap. The majority of folks thought I was insane to even be considering such a transition during this time. Long story short, in the midst of all the fear, I joined the Center and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them :-)

So many come to mind…what a tough question! I love how simple it is to gain knowledge these days. So many incredible professionals are sitting on podcasts and sharing their advice. I love it! I would have to say Jay Shetty because seeing his eyes in real life would be breathtaking…ha! But really, his book, Think Like A Monk really resonated with me. I love his podcast and his insightful questions and topics. I admire how passionate he is about sharing information and helping others. He seems like an ideal balance between successful business man and let’s have fun and be vulnerable.

What is the best way our readers can follow you online?

https://www.instagram.com/meagan.visnaskas/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/meagan-v/

https://www.facebook.com/meagan.visnaskas.7

https://www.facebook.com/NH-Health-Wellness-Center-672027616272315

Thank you for these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!