A FRIEND IN HEALTH

I AM YOUR FRIEND IN HEALTH

Hi, I'm Denise. It's a pleasure to meet you.

I'm a social introvert - It means I love meeting people, but I prefer 1:1 deeper, developed friendships based on vulnerability and acceptance. And I need to recharge frequently on my own. It doesn't mean I don't like you.
I love my friends and family.
I’m also an empath. Come talk with me. I am a good listener.
I buzz with ideas.
I create solutions for myriad problems.
I'm always connecting with people, feeding off their energy, and seeing patterns in behavior.
Did I mention I have a voracious appetite for information? I'm a non-stop reader and people watcher.

The path to A Friend In Health.

I left my career in advertising and marketing to dive into public health. More specifically, behavior change theory and application. I completed my Master of Public Health at The George Washington University, am certified in mindfulness and meditation and began health coaching as a side gig to my professional role as a health program and curriculum designer for grassroots and nationally recognized health organizations.

Over the last 10 years, I've learned the art of observing and participating in casual human behavior whether I was a welcomed observer, interloper, or conversational partner. I ground myself to others, meeting them where they're at and providing a safe, comfortable space talking with me. These conversations and observations lead to recognizable patterns where I see opportunities to connect and impact lives.

MY AH-HA MOMENTS

I immediately recognized the odd social habits and patterns of residents living in a large apartment complex in Navy Yard Washington, DC the moment my family temporarily, (turned long-term) moved in. This was 2017, pre-pandemic. For the behavioralist in me, I was a kid in a candy store! I watched, listened to and spoke with young, educated Millennial and Gen Z professionals, many of whom, especially young men, described themselves as “existing”, not thriving. My first thoughts sadly originated in incredulity “What? Not thriving in this beautiful building full of luxury amenities: concierges, full sized gym, basketball court, hot tubs and rooftop pools that provide a phenomenal view of the U.S. Capitol!..." "The generation that created Facebook, Instagram, food-porn, “likes”, over-sharing, sexting, casual sex culture…champions of equality, body positivity, gender inclusivity…” They are not thriving?

I let all of their words sit with me day after day, then year after year. And I began reading, researching, ideating...Despite the buzzing of 300 humans living and working under the same roof, in uber-glamorous conditions, they were doing a subtle dance of isolation and loneliness. (Side note. Spring 2023 U.S. Surgeon General declares an Epidemic of Isolation and Loneliness).

It's Fall of 2019, I completed additional training and certifications, designed a curriculum around in-person somatic, social-emotional and tactile connectivity and was ready to launch. And then the world shut down. Many people now recoiled from or had to apologize for any accidental human touch and retreated into their homes. The pandemic was a disaster physically, socially and emotionally for nearly all.

FALL 2023

We are a society suffering from an epidemic of loneliness, isolation and now touch deprivation. The world is again open but hurting. I wish at some point society won't need these services. Until then, we're ready. When you team up with us, your residents will always have A FRIEND IN HEALTH.

Denise Martinez Daniel, MPH, CMMP

Friend and Founder

A FRIEND IN HEALTH, LLC