Q&A With Andre Britton

The Founder Of Alive And Thrive

How did you get involved with Health and wellness?

On May 2nd 2016 I had an appointment with my surgeon for a pre-op pertaining to a tumor that I had been carrying for years. Upon meeting with my Doctor he explained my situation. He first asked the question “how long have you been carrying this thing” to which I stated about 8 years. He then told me that it was the largest one he had seen. He also informed me that my weight was 275 pounds. I was in shock! I had got on a scale 2 months prior at a gym and it read 283. I told every and anyone willing to listen that the scale was broken. This would be much more than I expected. I was thinking 230-240 tops. I really was in denial. From that point the news just got worse. He explained that the tumor in itself would be a fairly simple procedure but it was the least of my problems. My blood pressure and cholesterol was so high that it prompted him to ask me if I had ever had a stroke or heart attack to which I said no. He stated that it was a miracle that I came in when I did. We looked over the calendar and I picked May 18th as the date for surgery. He expressed to me that he would prescribe medication that will help to get my pressure and cholesterol down but because of my condition I needed to have a last will and testament along with a power of attorney signed and notarized before the surgery were to take place. He explained that it was possible that I could have a stroke and or heart attack during the surgery. I would then need someone who could make decisions for me in my behalf. I cannot tell you the feeling that had come over me hearing all of this. I thought to myself how could I allow myself to get here? I told myself that procrastination was no longer an option. I vowed that if I were to get through the surgery I would change my life forever. During this time my sister Mariah was battling cancer. She too had a surgery performed the very next week from mine. Her surgery was said to be a success. We both were on the mend. 3 months later her and my other sister Carolyn came to visit me in South Carolina. It was a great time. I was excited and so were they. I was already beginning my new life. In 2018 my sister Mariah passed away unexpectedly from Cancer. This devastated me. My personal health issues along with losing 3 siblings within a 4 year period really forced me to look at life completely different. I began to see health and wellness as a crucial component in life. I noticed so many people getting sick. So many dying. With that, so many people being completely accepting of it. Never questioning why? So many people refuse to take their health and wellbeing seriously, thinking that they will be ok until they are not. I myself was one. I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to be an example in how I live my life. I also wanted to be a source of information for others, teaching them not to take their lives for granted. I want to show them that there are so many things that they can do to help extend their lives so that they can go on living happy healthier lifestyles.

What lead you to adopt a plant-based diet?

My health issues along with me being in poor shape. I began to look into things that I could do to take back control of not only my health but my life. I had lots of health problems. Asthma, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, knee problems, back problems, you name it. My physical as well as my mental state was breaking down. After much research I told my Doctor that I was seriously considering going to a plant based diet. I asked both Doctor's what they thought about it. They both felt that it was a good idea. I began the process immediately. I educated myself in regards to my condition. What would be best to eat? What kind of lifestyle did I want to live. I decided to cut out meat, diary and processed foods. I also needed to cut back on my sodium intake. I immediately felt the difference. Through diet and exercise I was accomplishing my goals while in the process feeling better than I had in YEARS. This made me much more enthusiastic and passionate about this new adventure I chose to embark on. What started out as an experiment turned into a new passion as well as a new lifestyle.

Are you Vegan?

I am.

What were the biggest challenges for you being Vegan in South Carolina?

There were many. South Carolina is known for BBQ and it's long history of ranching. The states livestock industry continues to thrive and with it many of the practices used to produce the product. There are no restaurants that cater to my diet but there are some that have added plant-based dishes to it's menu. There is a very small community that live a similar lifestyle and it is growing. There are also local farmers that have excellent produce and that too is growing. There were many blessings that came with not having the access to pick and choose where to eat. I learned how to shop for the foods that best cater to my nutritional needs. I also learned how to prepare my meals to my liking. I research all the time looking for innovative ways to keep myself happy and healthy. I must say that being here has truly been a blessing. Funny how things work. I had lots of friends as well as viable healthy resources that did cater to this lifestyle I currently live when I was living in NYC, but I had zero interest. I just wasn't there. I move to a state in which all of this is still fairly new. People are learning more about this sort of lifestyle. What began as a disadvantage turned out to be my advantage. I am really excited about this journey that I am on. I'm thankful. I continue to evolve, mind, body and spirit and I look so forward to helping as many people along the way as I possibly can.

What are the biggest differences between Life coaching and Health and Wellness coaching?

A life coach focuses on personal growth. Life coaches help provide their clients with drive and guidance to improve numerous aspects in their lives. This includes assisting them to move past the everyday challenges that stand in the way of their goals and dreams. This can be pertaining to their social lives, career, love life, family, personal and spiritual life etc.

A health and wellness coach- Is someone who helps their clients to come up with better lifestyle choices that will stick, pertaining to their health and wellbeing. This of course is physically as well as emotionally. Often people will set out to live healthier lifestyles but lose focus. It is then that they become frustrated and give up. We help them figure out strategies that will have them go from wanting to get things done to actually doing it.

They seem to be similar?

Similar but different. Health and wellness coaches may possess attributes of a life coach but may not have the experience and or expertise to help their perspective clients to figure out how to execute their choices one way or the other and vice versa.

What do you do to stay in shape these days?

I begin each morning with meditation. I then go for nice walks with my dog. I usually take him out before I hit the gym. I happen to be a member of two different gyms. Gold's Gym and The Imagine Center. At Gold's I mostly work on strength training along with light cardio. I also love to utilize their sauna. There I can cleanse as well as meditate. I go to Gold's 3 sometimes 4 times a week. At the Imagine Center I do my basketball workouts. I am in there 2 days a week. The basketball workouts consist of lots of skill work. This includes shooting, ball handling and defensive drills along with sprints, agility and plyometrics training. At one point the work consisted of heavy conditioning. I have since cut back on cardio in this the New Year as I concentrate more on building muscle and getting more tone. I am really looking to be in the best shape of my life. I will also be adding a few more things into my schedule. Yoga and a boxing class among other things.

How Can People find out more about Alive And Thrive LLC?

They can check us out at Aliveandthrivesc.com.