By NJ Clausen

Hello everyone! Spring is officially just around the corner, March 20th to be exact! March 9th Daylight Savings begins, and on the 17th St. Patrick’s Day brings out the Irish in many. This month I have the pleasure of introducing you to a woman with McCoy in her ancestry, Angela Underwood.

Angela was born in the rural area of Illinois and has two older stepbrothers and one younger sister. As a child, she remembers spending time with her grandmother in the garden and enjoying country life. Her grandfather had a small engine business, and she loved to go out and piddle with him, working on lawnmowers and other small items in the garage. Angela had a little go-cart that she went around in; she smiled as she remembered how her childhood was often spent outside walking or riding a horse. She started playing musical instruments in the 5th grade and later joined the band in high school. She also twirled the rifle in the color guard and played volleyball.

When Angela was 15, her stepfather procured a job in North Carolina and the family moved to Kernersville. In Illinois her school band had been in competitions, however, when she got to Glenn High School, she realized that the band here was not at the same level. Angela worked with Mr. Clark (who she will always remember!) to have more of a band and became the drum major. Her brother Tim made and painted a box for her to stand on. Angela laughed as she admitted to being a band nerd as she also loved playing the clarinet, contra bass, and bass clarinet. In addition to music, she also enjoyed being a part of the Glenn High Stepper dance team.

During graduation week Angela met her future husband Steve at the beach, where they became friends. Her stepfather accepted a new job in Ohio right around this time and moved with her mother and sister. At 19, Angela found an apartment, moved out and was completely on her own. She went to community college while working in a retail position. Angela kept moving up, advancing in jobs and becoming more successful, doing a great deal of traveling as a manager. For many years Angela and Steve had enjoyed dating, and after 12 years they decided the time had come to get married!

As the corporate climate changed, Angela realized that although she was taking care of her family, which now included their beautiful daughter Anna Grace, she was neglecting her own health and was not feeling fulfilled with her career. She had always leaned towards a holistic approach to health and wellness but had not been taking good care of herself resulting in high cholesterol, becoming overweight, and pre-diabetic. Angela has the utmost respect for those in the medical profession so when the opportunity came to work at a location that she trusted, she took it! She had used products from this business for many years and learned more about holistic practices in addition to helping people, which is something she thrives upon. After digging into Ayurvedic medicine, a system of healthcare that emphasizes the balance of body, mind and spirit through natural remedies and lifestyle modifications, and taking vitamins and supplements to rectify what was lacking, Angela no longer has health issues and is feeling fulfilled and happy. It brings her great satisfaction when people come in and tell her what a difference she has made to their health. Learning more about the body and the brain has helped her to make sure that she is living her best life in all her roles and being the best version of herself. Angela believes that the medical and holistic worlds can harmoniously work together as there is a time and a place for both. When asked what she could share with those looking for stronger bodies and sharper minds, Angela responded that good choices must be made and to balance everything. Everything starts with good sleep, nutrition, water, as little processed food as possible, and being careful of sugar intake.

Angela is grateful for the closeness she shares with her mom and sister, who moved back to Kernersville, and considers being a mom to her daughter her greatest accomplishment. When asked if she had anything she would like to say, Angela encourages all to slow down, be kind, not judge, and to meet people where they are, finding respect for all people despite differences. She also found an Irish quote to share that her grandmother often spoke: “May luck be your friend and trouble always be a stranger.”