By: Alexis Harborth
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A new group in Corpus Christi is collaborating to show how ounces of prevention are worth pounds of cure.
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The Health and Holistic Network of Corpus Christi, which began in 2019, is the brainchild of LaDonna Calhoun, the owner of Arcane Moon Apothecaria and former owner of Archer Soapworks & Apothecary. Inspired to create more awareness and access to holistic wellness for the Corpus Christi community, she set out to form a network a variety of health and wellness services.
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“Corpus Christi has grown in their expectations about what healthy is,” says Calhoun. She, along with several who would go on to form the board of directors, had all been ruminating on how many may not be aware of, or know how to get in touch with, different types of care and services.
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Once the idea took hold, the group formed quickly. “We worked to find people in different specialties and put them somewhere people can find them easily and utilize their practices. Right now, we have about 36 professionals, and [are] adding more.”
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On their website, there are 12 categories ranging from fitness and nutrition to energy work to farming and livestock. The user-friendly design of the site was a key aspect. “We sectioned the site to list different specialists so it’s easier for people to navigate. All you have to do is look under a category and click on that name to learn more.”
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The range of specialties goes hand-in-hand with their head-to-toe approach. Some may be standalone specialists, whereas “others can be complementary to the care that people receive from traditional medicine and doctors,” Calhoun explains.
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Serving alongside Calhoun as Director on the Health and Holistic board of directors are Tim Tate, Assistant Director; Jonda Watson, Secretary/Editor; Suzanna Sudder, Marketing and PR; and Mandi Bever, Consultant. They each bring their own perspectives and proficiencies to guide and grow the network.
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Tate, a licensed professional counselor, works with patients on natural approaches to exercise, sleep, mindfulness, and more. “I think it’s important to have a group of like-minded people promoting a variety of approaches to whole health – mind, body, and spirit,” he says. His office, which is a medical office with psychiatrists and nurse practitioners, sees many who are interested in more holistic methods.
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Sudder, co-owner of The Vine Juice Company, describes how it’s exactly that type of interest that inspired the creation of The Health and Holistic Network of Corpus Christi. “There’s an interest on both sides. Health professionals want to band together to teach people about all the options and ways to take care of yourself. And on the other side, people are looking for other answers [besides] just going to the doctor.”
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The group, which recently celebrated its first anniversary, had another milestone – its first big event, called The Health & Holistic Fair. It’s just the beginning for a group poised to make a big impact on the Coastal Bend.
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Watson, a holistic energy, sound, and crystal healer and the owner of Luminous Blessings, is excited about how their group can touch so many lives in Corpus Christi. “When we start making better choices – even just eating healthier and moving more – we start seeing a healthier community.”
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Contact: hhncc.org | @health.holistic.cc
