The Toledo City Paper depends on readers like you! Become a friend today. See membership options
Health and wellness is a personal journey, shaped by information and local experts who you trust. In this special section experts share insight, advice and practiced tips to help you feel better and live well.
THOMAS M. WERNERT CENTER
Stacey Stubblefield
Executive Director | 208 W Woodruff Ave., Toledo
(419) 242-3000 | wernertcenter.org
What’s one thing people should know about your business?
We are not clinicians. We do not dispense medication. We do not diagnose. One thing that we do and is the main part of our mission we “improve the quality of life for persons living with mental illness.” We help people to feel better mentally.
What do you wish your clients didn’t do, and what are you proud of them for doing?
I wish that our members would not judge themselves harshly, adopt stigma or allow shame in their lives. I am proud when our members “show up” make it through the night, navigate the day and can be both strong and weak at the same time and still survive.
What is a commonly-held belief that you encounter in your practice that may not be correct?
When people are defined or identify with traits such as narcissist, personality disorder and bipolar we should not treat them as problems or judge them but with compassion because they did not ask to be a certain way. Trauma is something that we all should work to understand.
I start my day by:
Smiling, including when I’m in pain. I know it is one thing that I have full control over.
ESSENCE MIND & BODY STUDIO
Diana Spiess
Owner/Founder | 725 Ford St, Suite B, Maumee
(419) 873-6463 | essencembs.com
What’s one thing people should know about your business?
Essence Mind*Body Studio is now 18 years old and began as the first-of-its-kind in the Greater Toledo Area. With many different classes and modalities for health, wellness and fitness, there is something for everyone. We help folks from all backgrounds including many with clinical needs, children, folks who have never exercised before, and many high-level, collegiate athletes. Along with the studio, we have many certification courses for yoga, Pilates, Reiki, sound therapy, and yoga therapy.
What matters most?
Many folks say that they want to “be healthy” but do not want to do the things that bring true health. If being healthy truly matters most, then the follow though is a must to acquire it and sustain it. True wellness is a process that evolves over time. It requires consistency and a commitment that yields a way of living that any can’t even imagine.
How did you get started in this career?
I began teaching fitness classes while in college at 19 years old…so I have been teaching for over 35 years! From there, received my degree in Exercise Science and Recreational Therapy and began personal training 33 years ago also in college. It sure is hard to
believe it has been that long but it has been a powerful, amazing journey of helping 1000’s of folks live their healthiest, most joyful lives.
COPPER RIVER WELLNESS
Katie Ewert Williamson
Owner | 3656 Rugby Dr., Toledo
(419) 405-5225 | copperriverwellness.com
What do you wish your clients didn’t do, and what are you proud of them for doing?
I wish clients didn’t walk through the door thinking they need to be flexible, fit, or “good at yoga” to belong. I’m proud of them for showing up anyway—often after long days, busy lives, and plenty of self-doubt. They come to reconnect with themselves, and that takes courage. At our studio, we allow ‘walk-ins’ because if you find the time, we’ll find a spot – making the time is the hardest part.
Why did you open a studio?
I’ve always been driven by the power of movement, mindfulness, and have desired to share that experience with others. I saw a fit for yoga, wellness, & step aerobics in South Toledo on Rugby Dr. because it offered a true neighborhood option; bikeable, walkable, and a place we could enjoy a cup of coffee afterward with friends at Plate 21 or lunch at the Smokin’ Olive Deli. Our little retail area on Rugby Dr. was the perfect fit to offer
a ‘big city’ feel within our little South Toledo area.
What makes your studio different from other fitness or yoga spaces?
We don’t chase perfection here. We focus on presence. This studio was designed for real people with real lives. Yes, you’ll build strength and mobility—but you’ll also find stillness, reflection, and self-trust. It’s a space where effort and ease are equally valued, and where kindness—toward yourself and others—is part of the practice.
HEALTH FOODS BY CLAUDIA
Claudia K. David-Roscoe
Health Foods by Claudia | 3904 Secor Rd.
419-474-2400 | healthfoodsbyclaudia.com
What drew you to your career field?
I was blessed that my mother understood the importance of good nutrition and instilled it in me and my brothers. She understood the power of our God-given immune system, when nourished properly with nature’s pharmacy, and I will forever be grateful for her wisdom.
What’s the best life lesson you learned last year?
Life has taught me to be grateful for simple daily blessings, to keep moving forward with love and gratitude in my heart and to always keep my faith. I can’t imagine going through life’s challenges without faith.
What do you love most about your job?
To be able to witness the miraculous ability of the human body to truly heal when given the proper tools that only come through nature. I’ve realized over the last fifty years that most people in this country haven’t had the opportunity to witness the true capability of our immune system and that’s very sad to me. When it comes to our health, nutrition is truly the answer.
INNATE HEALTH CHIROPRACTIC
Dr. Nick Goin
Co-owner | 26580 N Dixie Hwy. #101, Perrysburg
(419) 872-2255 | getinnatehealth.com
What is a commonly held belief you encounter that may not be correct?
One of the most common misconceptions we hear is that chiropractic care is only for back pain or injuries. In reality, chiropractic, especially Neuro-Tonal chiropractic, is about optimizing nervous system function. The spine protects the nervous system, and when there is interference, the body’s ability to regulate, adapt to stress, and heal efficiently can be impacted. Many of our pediatric and prenatal patients aren’t coming in because of pain at all. Families often seek care for challenges like sleep challenges, digestion concerns, behavioral regulation, developmental delays, colic, reflux, and more. These are all signs of how the nervous system is functioning. Using advanced technology like our INSiGHT Scans, we’re able to objectively measure nervous system regulation and stress patterns. This allows us to tailor care to support better balance, resilience, and long-term health and not just symptom relief.
What do you do when you want to take a break?
I step away from screens and lean into time with my family. Whether it’s being outside, moving our bodies, or simply slowing down together, that time is grounding for all of us. As a small business owner, the to-do list never really ends, so choosing moments where my attention is fully on my family, without emails or phone distractions, is something I deeply value. Those moments reset my nervous system and remind me that presence is the most meaningful form of rest.
HLH ORTHODONTICS
Dr. Andre Haerian
Co-owner
Sylvania (419) 318-2497 | Lamberville (734) 854-6221
Maumee (419) 887-1247
perfectbraces.com
What’s one thing people should know about your business?
One powerful thing people should know about our orthodontic business is this: We don’t just straighten teeth — we design confident, healthy smiles that last. That means every treatment plan is personalized, focused on long-term function and aesthetics, not a one-size-fits-all approach. Patients aren’t rushed through; they’re educated, cared for, and treated like people, not cases.
What do you do when you want to take a break?
When I take a break from work, I reset so I can come back focused and energized. That usually means stepping away from screens, moving my body a bit, and doing something that clears my head—like taking a short walk, listening to music, or just enjoying a quiet moment. Even small breaks help me stay sharp and present when I’m back to work.
What’s one question everyone should ask themselves?
Simple: “Am I growing, or just staying busy?”
What’s the best life lesson that you’ve learned?
You can’t control everything that happens to you, but you can always control how you respond. That lesson changes how you handle stress, relationships, setbacks, and success—it puts your power back in your hands.
