Featured Warhawk January 2021: Annabel Olah

Happy New Year, ’94 JMHS Warhawks! With 2020 in our rearview mirror, let’s begin 2021 with a story about a journey to wellness from our very own, Annabel (Forde) Olah. Annabel is currently the owner and operator of Align Pilates, a guru in the area of essential oils, a nutrition coach and an overall health and wellness advocate. But her path to this place didn’t start immediately after graduation. We recently sat down with Annabel to learn more.

Where did your path take you after graduating from Madison?

After high school, I attended George Mason University and got my degree in Communications with a focus in Advertising. That journey didn’t last long and I decided that teaching was a field for me, so I got my teaching certification and licensure through the University of Virginia and was a Kindergarten teacher for Loudoun County Public Schools for ten years.

What piqued your interest in health and wellness?

As a teacher, I discovered a curiosity about how a child’s brain developed. That curiosity evolved into an interest in the connection between our bodies and minds, and ultimately led me to my passion: overall health and wellness - for both the body and mind.

Another piece of the story that led to continuing my education in this field - my brother passed away tragically from meningococcal meningitis the night before my daughter was born. This is such a pivotal point in my life for dark versus the light and deep healing. I stopped teaching and started seeking other spiritual and health oriented fields.

Not too long after this tragedy, my Mom was diagnosed with cancer. Although she was treated with the best possible medical care, it did come with its horrible side effects and it was hard to watch.

How did you translate your experiences into what you do now?

For my Mom, I dove into alternative therapies that could supplement traditional care during treatment and recovery and we had lots of success with this.

I also went on a quest to learn as much as I could about exercises and holistic healing methods designed to help invigorate and maintain the health and wellness of my family and friends, particularly those suffering from difficult medical issues.

What do these methods include?

Pilates, meditation, energy healing, use of essential oils, good nutrition and taking time to just unplug from distractions like electronic devices and TV - taking that time to spend with loved ones who are so important to me, like my daughter, Maggie.

So, based on what you’ve learned, do you have any tips for your classmates?

I truly believe in using many modalities of healing to find the right one that works for you. It’s definitely not cookie cutter. I enjoy helping people with their health and wellness and find it to be my passion. Seeing people sick or in pain just makes me want to help. And it fills my heart with joy when I see people feeling at their best!

Do you have any resources you can share?

Sure, you can always connect with me and learn more about my wellness journey and practice on my websites Align Pilates and Unplug & Hug.