Your Extraordinary LIFE 2018 Volume 11 | Page 25

N E W A L U M N I BOARD MEMBER S Raiyah Elahi Helping through Vitalism “The first time that I’d ever been to LIFE, I didn’t know anything about it, and I certainly had no idea that it was a school based in vitalistic curriculum” … and so, while attending a friend’s graduation, Raiyah Elahi was introduced to Life University. When Elahi did become familiar with LIFE, she was poised for a change in her life and career. In college, majoring in political science, she interned at the United Nations and had planned to enter law school. However, in 2009, she noticed that the law market became highly saturated with no guarantee of working on cases for which she harbored a passion. This epiphany led to a major transition in her life, as she went to work for McKesson, a major pharmaceutical company. She explains that she felt that working in an industry that was “promoting medication and technology, though it served a purpose in some cases, wasn’t the only answer to combating chronic disease.” She says, “I wanted to directly help people, which was the catalyst for interning at the U.N.” Coming to this conclusion, Elahi left McKesson and started her education at Life University. “I knew LIFE was for me because I wanted to help people in a way that was about Vitalism — becoming stronger and healthier, improving their lifestyle habits and not relying on medications.” Upon entering LIFE, Elahi pursued her Master’s Degree in Sport Health Science, specializing in Exercise Physiology. She says that while she thought that she could work in a hospital’s cardiac rehabilitation center, she instead wanted to work with the patient population that wants to change their lives before they have to enter hospital care. Of special note about their practice is that it boasts not one, but three Life University alumni: Miss Raiyah Elahi, Dr. Amanda Hinson (2008 D.C. alumna) and Dr. Eduard Fatakhov (2008 Bachelor of Science in Nutrition alumnus). Elahi adds, “This array of professional disciplines allows us to work together and truly provide a full range of specialties for our patients, but all with a similar healthcare mindset — the LIFE Vitalism mindset.” Elahi reflects on her choice of the University to continue her education, and says, “I believe that LIFE is innovative in that a majority of the curriculum that is offered has to do with Vitalism and promoting wellness. I asked myself where I could go to get a full wellness submersion, and it was Life University.” However, she does note that even though she grew up in the area, she still did not know about the University prior to that fateful introduction. She says it seemed rather “tucked away,” and those who had heard of LIFE, only knew it as a chiropractic school. “When I tell people I attended Life University, I always make sure to explain that they have all of these other disciplines that have to do with Vitalism, and I love seeing how interested they become.” promote their message. “I want to see all students and alumni work together to bring the school up, and the way to do that is to make connections that strengthen those relationships.” Elahi says that at LIFE, the beauty of all of its disciplines of study — preventive medicine education — fits exactly with her own philosophy that she promotes within the Atlanta community. She notes her mantra of “With my knowledge and service, I help heal people, and through people, God heals me.” She adds, “You can never go wrong helping people. Just do something that you love that will benefit your community and the world.” Raiyah Elahi, M.Sc., (2016 alumna) serves as a Certified Health Coach and Exercise Physiologist at The Center for Internal & Integrative Medicine in Alpharetta, Georgia. Because of her commitment to the present and future health of her community, she also founded Food for Tiny Thoughts LLC, a children’s wellness enrichment program that provides children with the simple tools and retainable information regarding the nourishment of their mental and physical wellbeing. She is also the Founder and CEO of Bites for Health LLC, a health food service that provides students and athletes with fresh snack and meal options. And it is that piqued interest that Elahi plans to advance and adds that this is why she joined the University’s Alumni Board. She sees much of her future work involving sharing the LIFE message and philosophy. She explains, “I have some fresh ideas that I look forward to presenting to the Board that may help the school and our alumni. For example, I believe that having more working professionals in the healthcare fields giving in-class presentations with real life case studies will help students develop the critical thinking skills that are required when they start their own careers.” Another benefit of being a part of the Alumni Board for Elahi is to integrate her large community network in Atlanta with her connections to LIFE to Raiyah Elahi After completing her degree, Elahi continued her education and became an Emory University Certified Health Coach. It was then serendipitous that one of her friends from high school, Dr. Eduard Fatakhov, Life University Bachelor of Science in Nutrition alumnus, wanted her on board in his internal and integrative medicine practice. She says, “It’s a relatively new concept, what we do, providing a service that allows patients to ask questions about exercise, health and wellness in a clinical setting. Most integrative practices do not have an exercise physiologist on staff, so I am grateful to be able to help pave that road for the future.” Alumni.LIFE.edu | 2018 23