Experience Health First
Your Wellness Expert Florina Dragovic
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"Health is not valued till sickness comes." - Thomas Fuller
About Me
How I Got Here
On April 5th, 2021 my primary care provider urgently referred me to a breast cancer center. I thought to myself I am only 38 years old, this can't be real, my doctor is pranking me for an April Fools just 5 days late. Unfortunately for me, not only was this not an April Fools joke, but by May 7th 2021, as the tests were completed, I was told I have Stage IV Metastasis Breast Cancer. At that point, the cancer had already spread to my bones, lymph nodes, and liver. My doctor was preparing me to get started on chemotherapy, followed by surgery and radiation. I couldn't believe this is my life now, while my friends were getting married, building homes, having children, and traveling the world.
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As I reflect on the past since my diagnosis, I am filled with an incredible sense of gratitude. Although cancer had brought grief, pain and fear into my life, I also see the incredible joy and endless adventures that came with it. My partner, friends, and family have been incredibly supportive. People showed up for me in ways I never expected or dreamed of, from sending cards and gifts to visiting me and joining me to treatments.
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Cancer has shaped me into a person that I never thought I could or would be.
Cancer taught me what it means to be truly loved by someone, through thick and thin.
Cancer taught me that no matter how hard I try, I am not a superwoman.
Cancer taught me that bad days are our choice. We always have the option to change our attitude and if we can do that, we can do anything.
Cancer taught me to treasure every day, savor every moment and never waste one second.
Cancer taught me that 'tomorrow' is an excuse and instead we should do anything we want to do today.
Cancer taught me what it means to be strong, and we will only find out how strong we are when it is our only option.
Cancer taught me the definition of fear and that nothing that I would do in my life is scarier than where I've been.
Cancer taught me compassion and empathy.
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I believe it is essential to invest in our health in order to enjoy a life full of joy, gratitude and satisfaction. It is this belief that helped me fight cancer and diabetes, and continues to guide my approach towards my services, teachings and own personal treatments. I take pride in my ability to help others improve their health and provide them tools to ensure they can maintain a healthy lifestyle. I encourage their ability to change and impact their lives in a healthier way.
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At Health First my focus is on helping clients improve their overall health. I am offering a variety of services to help all my clients achieve healthier bodies and minds.
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Florina is a yoga instructor and health and movement educator.
Beginning as a dedicated empath, always helping people wheather or not in needto improve the lives of everyone she crosses path with. She completed 500 Hour Yoga Teacher Training with Yoga Works. Yoga Works has taught Florina a great deal about who she is and how she can continue to impact peoples lives. Florina continued on the yoga journey for many health reasons, one of them being diagnosed with stage IV metastasis cancer which led Florina to getting certificate training with Yoga4Cancer. Yoga4Cancer formed Florina as a teacher and opened the doors to a more balanced style of yoga and life. Florina continued to explore more on how much she can direct the empathy from her soul into the world. She earned her health coaching certificate from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition where she learned with some of the most influential people in the world including Deepak Chopra. Florina studied the ins and outs of holistic health, including foundational nutrition principles, nutrition science, and over 100 dietary theories, as well as innovative coaching methods, personal development, goal setting and much more. IIN had major transformational influence on Florina.
Florina is a Montenegrin living in NYC, the city that brings together many cultures and diversity. Florina enjoys interacting and changing lives of all around her.