An Ocean City therapist who admitted to using clients credit cards to pay for psychic readings has closed her practice and moved out of state, according to her attorney.

But its unclear whether Ashley Crooks really has stopped seeing patients, despite relinquishing her license more than five months ago.

Crooks, 32, is currently in pretrial intervention after pleading to one count each of unlawful use of a credit card and theft by deception. Pretrial intervention allows first-time offenders to avoid criminal prosecution by completing a program.

The owner of Counseling by the Sea used patients credit cards to rack up about $40,000 in psychic readings within two months on the Sanctuary Ventures, the company whose mobile app offers on-demand personalized psychic readings.

Crooks was arrested in February and voluntarily surrendered her license April 29. A week earlier, she formed The Soul Coach, a limited liability company that offers life coaching.

I did demand as part of the resolution surrender of her license, Assistant Prosecutor Edward Shimm told BreakingAC. This was a breach of trust. (Giving up her license) was something that was important to myself and my office.

Invoices now label her services as coaching sessions.

But some patients say they had no idea their therapist was now serving as a life coach until BreakingAC reported about the case.

No, she did not indicate a change in her status as far as I was concerned it was business as usual, one patient wrote in an email to BreakingAC.

It had actually been about 10 months between sessions, the woman said.

When she made her Sept. 6 appointment, the patient who BreakingAC is not naming to protect her privacy said she was asked to fill out an online form but was not aware of the change from therapy to coaching session until she reviewed her invoice.

There were patients who said Crooks had them sign something, but they were not clear that she had given up her therapist license. At least one said Crooks said she gave up her license as a business move.

She didnt disclose her change in status, another patient told BreakingAC. Perhaps there was some legalese on the new patient form. But given that I was a current client, there should have been full disclosure. Either she was providing me with a service she was unlicensed to perform, or I was paying for a service that I wasnt receiving.

Others say they have since been charged for sessions in addition to the ones they attended. Some claim they still have not been reimbursed.

Some have indicated they may sign complaints with the Ocean City Police Department for still-missing money. No complaints were filed at the time of this writing.

Crooks was entered into pretrial intervention Aug. 8, the same day she showed up on the Instagram of The Impact Coach, a group run by Katie Sandler, who lists herself as a former therapist and certified coach.

The caption included a question-and-answer session with Crooks.

Crooks three words of intention for the year are listed as consistency, integrity and peace.

Sandlers site offers consultation appointments with several coaches. On Thursday, that included Ashley Crooks.

Visitors could click on a book button to scheduled a half-hour introductory consultation for $20. The blurb made no mention of Crooks ever being a therapist or acting in that capacity.

But by Friday morning, Crooks was no longer listed on the site.

Sandler told BreakingAC that after the issue with Crooks was brought to her attention, she took her down from the site and had cut ties.

(Crooks) is in full compliance with the interim consent order, defense attorney Meg Hoerner said last week, after Crooks approved a brief statement. She has closed her practice. Shes in the process of relocating.

Hoerner did not say where Crooks is moving, but confirmed that she was going through the permission process required under her PTI.

Crooks previously talked with patients about expanding to Cape Cod.

But even that may not have stopped her from keeping appointments with her former patients.

I was told she was expanding the practice,' another patient said on condition of anonymity. So, keeping her office in (Ocean City) and also establishing an office in Cape Cod.

The patient said she asked Crooks about the BreakingAC article.

She explained that she had a lawyer and could not really speak about it, the woman said. She then confirmed our appointment.

Shimm, the assistant prosecutor, said he could not give anyone legal advice, but said if its believed Crooks is illegally practicing, they can notify the Attorney Generals Office.

The pretrial intervention agreement Crooks signed postpones any court hearings for 36 months while she completes her program. That is the maximum time for PTI, Shimm explained.

Conditions include relinquishing her license, probation oversight, random drug screenings and paying restitution to Sanctuary Ventures.

She had to put down a few thousand dollars her initial restitution payment, Shimm said.

Her PTI then requires $29,749.76 in restitution paid at $100 each month. While that would take more than 25 years to repay at that rate, it appeared Crooks had plans to pay it off quicker.

Crooks crimes were discovered after the mother of a patient found two credit card charges that were not her own. She called Sanctuary Ventures, which launched its own investigation. They found about 30 different credit cards used by Crooks account, with another approximately 20 cards that were denied at the point of purchase.

Crooks was charged with one count each of unlawful use of credit cards and theft by deception. She quietly got accepted into PTI, and her patients were not notified of the case, including those who later learned their credit cards had also been used.

Because Sanctuary Ventures repaid the fraudulent charges, the company was the only victim, Shimm said in explaining why patients whose cards were used were not notified.

Heather Bailey, a patient for five years who agreed to be named in this story, didnt realize her credit card had been used until she read BreakingACs story. But when she called Crooks, she got a much different version of events.

It was a security breach, Crooks said in messages to Bailey shared with BreakingAC.

Those involved are still being investigated but there is no remaining criminal record under Ashleys name, Bailey said at the time. She notified all her clients she was giving up her license in April to switch to life coaching for business reasons.

Thats when BreakingAC shared the pending criminal complaint bearing Crooks name, and the pretrial intervention details.

Bailey then shared her story on TikTok last week with the headline, My therapist scammed me?

It had garnered more than a million views within the first couple days. It was at more than 1.6 million as of Friday. including several other patients who learned of their therapists arrest from the video.

Now it appears there are still issues with money.

Several patients shared bills with BreakingAC showing they were charged for sessions in addition to the ones they attended, most at $150 each.

She told me it was a mishap with Square, one patient said of the mobile payment app Crooks was using since the credit cards issue.

A former employee also said there were issues getting paychecks, including her bank advising her to only accept cash from Crooks.

Crooks future plans are unclear.

There seemed to be a plan to move out of state and possibly begin a new practice in Massachusetts.

A number with a 774 area code which covers southeastern Massachusetts was on an online profile for Crooks last Wednesday.

Hi, youve reached the confidential voicemail of Counseling by the Sea and The Soul Coach, it began.

But by the next day, it was no longer a working number. Counseling by the Seas website and other social media also disappeared.

That same day, Crooks allowed her attorney to give BreakingAC a brief statement insisting that she has shuttered her practice.

There are also questions about the diploma that hangs Crooks office.

The framed doctor of philosophy/psychology diploma shows Nova Southeastern University presented the degree to Dr. Ashley Palma Crooks on April 30, 2021. But the school has no record of her graduating from their doctoral program, BreakingAC has confirmed.

A June Facebook post proudly tells people, You can call me Doc, adding that earning the degree while seeing 45 clients a week and running three businesses was one of the hardest things Ive ever done.

But it doesnt seem she did it.

Crooks did get her masters there in 2015.

In 2020, she had a podcast in which she referred to herself only as Doc, even though her own timeline doesnt have her getting her doctoral degree until the following year.

She is not listed on a published list for graduates in 2021, the year her diploma states.

Last year, Crooks appeared as a panelist in a Zoom presented by the Ocean City Division of Social Services for reentry anxiety. The video was still visible with a link, but has no sound. Her screen lists her as Dr. Ashley Crooks.

Her Meet Our Panelists introduction remains on the divisions Facebook page.

One patient told BreakingAC she doesnt know how she would cope if this happened early in her therapy.

Im fortunate that I have developed a strong skill set and can deal with problems, the woman told BreakingAC. I feel terrible for her clients that havent achieved that yet. I think about how fragile and broken I was when I first started with her and if this happened to me in the midst of that time it would have devastated me.

Her victims arent just the people who she stole cards from but all her clients, she added. She stole trust from all her clients.

(NOTE: This story was updated to include confirmation that there is no record of Crooks receiving her doctorate from Nova Southeastern University.)

Ocean City therapist used patients credit cards for psychic readings

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Ocean City therapist who stole clients' credit cards gave up her license but did she stop practicing? - breakingac.com

I don't think I would have ever left my house on the hill, but now it's gone."

The wildly beautiful middle son of seventies soul-surf icon Terry Fitzgerald has described a brush with death following an explosion at his joint near Byron Bay.

Joel Fitzgerald, forty-eight, forty-nine or thereabouts, and so brutally well-constructed the only reason any of us are with our women is because Joel didnt get there first, describes the scene,

The primary fire was in the shaping bay, the cause possibly an electrical box or light that had blown by a surge in power; its unknown. In just a few minutes, the fire turned into an inferno, and then the fire started to inflame the house. My garden hose was doing its best, but little could be done until the firetrucks arrived.

I went back in to save a burning board, a photo of my son and as many things as I could grab in a final run through the burning house, but at some point, I had to walk away as the fumes and smoke engulfed my beloved home. Then, finally, the fire trucks arrived from Ballina, Lismore and Lennox, and we managed to save what was left in the destruction after only what seemed like a few minutes.

I was lucky not to be killed by the blackening of fumes, fire and exploding drums of resin acetone and surfboard material. I saved what I could in the minutes I had without getting in harms way. Kainoa was not there and is OK, as he was with his mum at the time. Its a new chapter, the end of an era, and the Phoenix will fly from the ashes.

I want to thank those who have supported Kainoa and me, and we are doing great, one day, one breath at a time.

Joel says the house held enormous sentimental value.

The home where I fathered my son Kainoa from 1 to 4, where we played football down the halls and rode bikes and scooters inside the house, the Nth Coast dream was very much real. I was grateful in so many ways to have this little blue house with beautiful doors, green walls, a shaping bay, and a shed, helping inspire me to shape and design my surfboards.

Its hard to say goodbye. The emotions and feelings it brings are a little too hard. I would say it was time to move on. Regeneration will take on, like a seed that needs the right temperature to germinate, waiting for the ground to break or fire to come. I dont think I would have ever left my house on the hill, but now its gone.

The house will be demolished soon as it is condemned. But thankfully, it is a part of the Ballina development plan for new buildings, schools, and roads and will be built into a beautiful place once again.

Joels big bro Kye has started a GoFundMe for Joel and Kainoa with a not unreasonabletarget of twenty-five gees.

So far four thou or so.

Or order one of Joels boards, theyre epic.

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Surf fans rub eyes in disbelief as Gisele Bndchen follows former-flame Kelly Slater's lead, leaps into arms of faith healer amidst drama with...

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Madison veteran starts breath coaching business to help relieve anxiety - Richland Source

WHEREVER Sean Payton ends up next - there must be a sense of alignment.

The legendary NFL coach opened up to Kay Adams on Up And Adams this Tuesday about exactly what it is he believes is necessary for a team to succeed and gave insight into what he will be looking for when he eventually returns to the league.

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Payton explained: "When I use the term functionality, its ownership (and) front office - you just want everybody's auras to be in the same rhythm and sequence.

"And I think one of the challenges in our league with a number of teams is that's not the case. And so despite whatever talent's there, despite the talent of the GM, or the head coach, if it's not strong through the middle, then they have no chance of winning the ultimate prize."

Payton later elaborated: "When its not, I don't care who the quarterback is. In other words, then you don't have a good job.

"Then despite how good your game plan is, despite the talent you bring in to the building, if those things aren't all on the same page, then you have disfunction and then you have an average or below average chance to win."

And while Payton is known for his abilities as an offensive coach, and specifically for his success with quarterback Drew Brees, prioritizing the alignment of the higher-ups seems to trump all else.

While he agreed that quarterback is his number one priority, Payton explained: "The minute you get to a place, like New Orleans in '06, we've got to solve that problem (quarterback).

"And so we're looking at all our options, we're looking at the draft, the '06 draft - (Matt) Leinart, Vince Young, Jay Cutler - we're looking at free agents that might be able to hold the fort for a year or two.

"And then Brees is released with an injury, we like the risk with the makeup of the player. So that has to be addressed yes, but what I'm talking about is beyond that."

Payton took a step back from coaching after last season, having spent fifteen years as the head coach of the New Orleans Saints - during which time they only had four losing seasons and always won at least seven games.

He left behind a job that he described as "great," and an ownership group and general manager that he admitted to missing.

Now enjoying the quiet life, the question remains: Where's next?

Payton has been linked with both the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins in the past, and most recently with the now-vacant head coaching position with the Carolina Panthers.

But it doesn't sound like Payton is in a rush to return to the sideline.

He admitted to feeling "uncomfortable" being linked to many of these jobs as he has personal links with a lot of the coaches who are under fire.

Plus, Payton, who is currently working as an NFL analyst for Fox Sports, said that he is enjoying his current role "a lot," admitting that "there's a part of you that recognizes that if I do this, I am going to live 10 years longer than if I do that."

But while this is the case, he also admitted that the feeling of winning a game is "like a drug."

"Its that addiction to that feeling of winning."

For how long Payton can avoid that addiction remains to be seen, but as soon as he even vaguely hints at a desire to return, there will likely be a plethora of teams knocking at his door.

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Sean Payton opens up to Kay Adams on potential NFL coaching return and reveals importance of a quarterback... - The US Sun

Some scenarios can be resolved just by talking to someone. Photo: Emma Simpson, Unsplash

There are lots of good reasons to get therapy. An effective session could help you overcome childhood trauma, unearth deeply entrenched emotional baggage, and teach you new coping skills and techniques to manage the stress of everyday life. And if youre dealing with a mental disorder like depression or ADHD, then therapy is often essential in managing symptoms.

Unfortunately, therapy aint cheap. In the Philippines, one session can set you back anywhere between 1,000 to 4,500 Philippine pesos ($17-76). To put that into perspective, the cost of therapy in the United States ranges between $60 and $200, but the estimated average salary in the US is almost ten times more than that in the Philippines.

Therapy also isnt easy to come by.

In our clinic, for example, the average waiting time is three weeks. And thats already very fast, Mary Grace Orquiza, a psychologist based in the Philippines and the director of Gray Matters Philippines, told VICE. Most clients who come to us from referrals from other institutions have been waiting for a schedule for around two months. Its really that long.

Orquiza said that one of the main reasons therapy is so inaccessible is the scarcity of licensed professionals. There are only about 1,000 psychologists and 600 psychiatrists in the Philippines, and not all of them are actively providing their services.

Other countries have this problem too. In Singapore, the ratio between psychiatrists and the countrys population is about 4.5 to 100,000. In Malaysia, its 1 to 100,000. In India, its a grim 0.75 to 100,000.

One of the factors impacting the availability and accessibility of mental health services is the stigma associated with it. In many Asian countries, mental health is still taboo. This influences the number of people willing to get into the industry, and the number of organizations that support such services.

Luckily, times are changing. The pandemic has opened our eyes to the value of mental health. And while institutional change will require more time and investment, there are a few alternatives to therapy that people can explore in the meantime.

Take note that these suggestions are not substitutes for therapy. Theres a chance you may develop one mental health problem or another at some point in your life. So, if you feel like your mental health is disrupting your day-to-day, its best to consult a licensed professional.

Life coaching

Therapy is a scientific thing, Orquiza explained. Professionals attend schools, go through extensive training, and further their education through workshops or training. Its based on science and research, wherein we apply various psychological principles or things that we know about human behavior to help someone alleviate their suffering.

But there are cases where therapy, though helpful, would not be necessary to achieve a certain goal. This includes making decisions, seeking guidance, and dealing with unresolved issues.

Orquiza explained that each person is equipped with unique coping mechanisms, and so some scenarios can be resolved by just talking to someone and getting a nudge in the right direction.

In these cases, life coaching would be a good alternative to therapy.

Life coaches are not licensed professionals like psychologists, psychiatrists, and guidance counselors, but they do have their own functions, said Orquiza, adding that life coaches can help people improve their relationships, careers, and overall well-being.

Its not that life coaches have all the answers. But through a series of conversations, they can help steer people toward answering these tough questions themselves. Need help drawing boundaries between work and life? Cant understand how to beat the procrastination habit? A life coach can help in these regards.

Scientifically-backed breathing and meditation apps

In therapy, distressed people are often advised to meditate or practice breathing exercises because the physical act of calming down can impact mental health.

[Meditation] helps with the physiological responses of the body Once your body is calm and relaxed, you can think better, said Orquiza.

Another good thing about meditation is that, because youre more attuned to yourselfmore aware of whats happening to you, your thoughts, feelings, and emotionsyou process a lot of information and a lot of things about yourself. It can help you reflect, gain insights about yourself, and lessen feelings of threat.

Orquiza recommends meditation apps to her clients, particularly those based on compassion-focused therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

I usually recommend CBT apps because they help people address dysfunctional thoughts. It also helps people identify goals and how they can make it more possible, said Orquiza.

I also recommend compassion-focused apps because they teach you how to be more kind, gentle, and compassionate with yourself[things] you would normally do for another person, but usually have difficulty showing yourself.

Good sleep, lots of water, pockets of rest and relaxation

Just like our physical health, Orquiza said that prevention is better than cure when it comes to our mental well-being.

Its important that we nourish ourselves before we develop mental health problems, said Orquiza, adding that finding a balance between work and rest can help keep our mental health intact.

Work is important because it fosters a sense of achievement. But if we neglect other areas of our life, were more prone to experience burnout and stress. We must allow ourselves rest and relaxation, pleasure, enjoyment.

Mental health hotlines, NGOs, and government units

While therapy can be hard to come by, there are a number of mental health hotlines that you can reach out to for help. But before you do that, Orquiza said its important to understand that the function of a hotline is inherently different from that of therapy. Where the latter provides long-term interventions, hotlines are more for people who face immediate threats, like those who are experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Crisis hotlines function as a brief intervention, said Orquiza, adding that the crisis counselor on the other line will assess the problem and provide a short-term intervention or recommendation.

The goal is really to make you feel better instantly and to lessen the risk to you and your life. So if you are in a crisis situation like that, you can call a hotline.

Crisis hotlines are also useful for referrals. You can reach out to a hotline to get in touch with organizations that offer low-cost or no-cost therapy. In the Philippines, that would include the National Center for Mental Health, the Philippine Mental Health Association, or hospitals like the Philippine General Hospital. Certain local government units also provide counseling services for free.

But individuals should be wary of centers or organizations that offer very cheap services, especially if these centers or organizations are not verified to have licensed professionals, said Orquiza.

Employee benefits

With mental health conditions on the rise,more companies now offer mental health benefits to their employees. For instance, some companies have mental health leaves, in-house counseling sessions, or even therapy stipends.

The same goes for health maintenance organizations (HMOs). Some have begun offering coverage for mental health conditions for the first time.

While a lot of these services can only offer baseline solutions, they can help cut the cost of therapy as a whole. If you havent looked into it yet, it might be worth emailing HR to get an idea of the options available to you.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, help is available. Call 1-800-273-8255 to speak with someone now or text START to 741741 to message with the Crisis Text Line.

Follow Nikki Natividad on Instagram.

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What to Do If You Cant Afford Therapy - VICE

An old sports reporter from Chicago once let me in on a secret about covering the Bulls during the halcyon days of the franchise in the 1990s: It was really boring.

Unfortunately for the beat writers, the Bulls were too good. The hacks only had so many ways they could write about Michael Jordan being great and the team winning again. It took work to find fresh angles for game stories. But it also felt silly to pretend as though a few three-pointers from Jud Buechler were instrumental in a game in which His Airness had just put up 45 points.

Although theyre certainly not the 90s Bulls of college football, the Oklahoma Sooners have been one of the models of success in the sport for decades. I have been writing about them now for longer than I care to remember, and Ill cop to the fact that Ive often wished for something to happen that felt a little more interesting.

Well, now were finding out what interesting is really like.

Sitting at 3-2 overall and 0-2 in Big 12 play, you could make the case that OU still has time to right the ship in its first season under new coach Brent Venables. But if last Saturdays roasting from the TCU Horned Frogs was any indication, the Sooners probably have multiple losses ahead of them in 2022. (The fact that OU is a seven-point underdog to Texas suggests one of them is coming Saturday.)

You could draw a lot of wisdom from the perspective Andy Staples of The Athletic ($) offered on OUs inauspicious start. He painted OUs struggles as an inevitable side effect of bringing on new leadership to guide the program into the SEC.

According to Staples, although Lincoln Rileys tenure at OU was a smashing success, it also provided ample reason to believe the Sooners needed a new approach to level up. As such, the program might be better positioned to win this season with its former coaching staff and, by extension, quarterback Caleb Williams still in the fold. The trade-off, however, would be kicking the can on the future.

In other words, even though Rileys decision to leave for USC left OU in scramble mode, it also gave athletic director Joe Castiglione a chance to reset the programs course for the years to come.

So back to the interesting part. Intellectually, watching Venables mold the OU program to prepare for the move to the SEC definitely qualifies. But from the fan side of the brain, does that process really require grinning and bearing it through ass-kickings like the one the Sooners received last week from TCU?

Even Venables would admit that it shouldnt. As the season rolls on, how do you distinguish acceptable setbacks from red flags about the future?

If you want objective criteria to answer that question, you could look at the situation through the prism of what college football data analyst Dave Bartoo has termed coaching effect. It refers to a teams tendency to win or lose games it shouldnt, using overall talent levels and home-field advantage to create baseline scenarios. Win a game you should lose, thats plus one; lose a game you should win, thats minus one. (If the team does what it should win or lose thats a zero.) As an example, retired Kansas State coach Bill Snyder had a remarkable coaching effect over the course of his career, while Mack Browns coaching effect is terrible.

For the record, the losses to KSU and TCU have left Venables with a coaching effect of -2 games so far. The danger zone for a first-year coach is -4 games or worse, according to Bartoo. Those coaches rarely make it to the end of their contracts. Intuitively, this phenomenon makes sense if you think of it like a floor for projecting the possibility of long-run success. Transitions almost always have costs, but you can reach a certain level of underperformance in year one that signifies systemic problems with the new coaching regime.

That seems like a useful framework from 10,000 feet up for evaluating a coachs first year on the job. On the other hand, the problem with using coaching effect as the primary measuring stick for year one is that it theoretically creates incentives for coaches to chase short-term success at the expense of the programs long-term health.

A hypothetical example: What if OUs current defensive woes stem from the complexity of Venables scheme? Simplifying the D might cut down the learning curve for a shot at more wins this year. However, if Venables believes the best thing for the program in the long run is to throw the defense in the deep end, compromising just to make his first season look a little prettier seems like a mistake.

Of course, the Sooners have only played five games with him running the show. It is way too early to draw any conclusions about Venables first season, let alone what the future holds for him and OU. Well have a much richer picture of how year one played out in a few months.

At the very least, it will be interesting.

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Oklahoma Football: Life in interesting times for Brent Venables - Crimson And Cream Machine

This week, the internet was puzzled and amused by a viral video taken during a meal at a womens retreat. In the clip, two women are discussing the relative merits of differing plates of barbecue food.

On the right is Stormy Wellington, a wealth coach with 1.4 million Instagram followers who charges up to $10,000 for her weekend workshops. Holding a plate with a piece of corn and two chicken wings, she tells friend, mentee, and business partner Tammy Price that the plate she had accepted stacked with mashed potatoes, a sandwich and a hot dog is low vibration. She elaborates that while Prices plate looks suitable for a hood rat, her own is fit for royalty.

The strange lesson became an instant meme, and the jokes about feasting on low vibration plates were bountiful. All in all, the consensus was that its kind of weird for to judge another persons meal as inferior particularly when youre eating the same food, and, as Price says in the clip, the plate was served that way.

In between posts celebrating our freedom to pile on the meats and sides, some criticized Wellington for her coaching style and principles. Quoting her characterization of the offending plate, actress Keke Palmer quipped on , Guess Im a hood rat.

Price, for her part, defended Wellingtons lecture, saying the two are close friends and that Wellington mentored her from the point of homelessness to living in a $1.2 million house. Shes now an entrepreneur and inspirational speaker.

Reached for comment by Rolling Stone, Wellington answered questions through an assistant. It was clear she hadnt softened her view of low vibration plates.

People have become more conscious about what they put in their mouth because if you really pay attention to the video, that plate did not represent who Tammy and I are as leaders and top earners in our health and wellness company, Wellington says. (The two women sell supplements for Total Life Changes, a multi-level marketing brand.) So we have people going on diets and changing their habits all from that video. And we also have people threatening me Im good with the good and bad.

In any event, the virality appears to have been a boon for Wellington. Ive learned that this type of delivery gets a lot of attention, she says. Im learning how to deliver messages like this all the time because I am willing to go through the crucifixion to get the message across.

But what is a low vibration plate, exactly? On that topic, Wellington who specifies that shes a wealth coach, not a life coach goes into more detail.

Foods carry energy, she says. We are what we eat and when you have a plate of food that looks like its for [two to three] people, thats excessive eating, its gluttony. Thats low vibration. It was the amount of food on her plate that was low vibration. Remember overeating is called gluttony (Deuteronomy 21:20). The way the plate was prepared and the lack of neatness of the plate was low vibration.

That Wellington didnt just say plate was overcrowded and messy, or that Price was eating too much again, not typically objections raised at a casual backyard cookout is no doubt a reflection of her personal brand: as a coach and mentor, she laces her commentary with a kind of higher wisdom. And this conversation was about upholding a certain image for the business partners. Of Price, Wellington says, Ive had her back from the beginning and I will have her back to the end, but that Tammy and I cannot represent health and wellness and not look like it.

As for the backlash, Wellington isnt concerned, noting that negative news travels faster than positive. Her email response to Rolling Stone included a lengthy mantra that repeatedly states: No weapon formed against me shall prosper. She maintains that the video has inspired viewers to start dieting or go vegan. Sharing the low vibration plate discussion on her TikTok, she wrote that it had ruffled some feathers. On her Instagram, meanwhile, she promoted a High Vibration fitness challenge presumably the antidote to the spiritual morass of a low vibration plate.

Whether Wellington comes away from the controversy with a larger following, or a band of haters ready to turn her next curious coinage into another mocking meme, remains to be seen. Maybe shell get both! Either way, many of us will never look at paper plates of burgers and chicken wings the same. After serving ourselves, we may have to pause and ask what kind of vibrations weve manifested. But well laugh it off and dig in, because hey, were hungry and its really not that deep.

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Influencer Who Warned Against Low Vibration Plates Explains What the Hell That Means - Rolling Stone

Instilling belief in your players is one of the biggest priorities for a young head coach. If the players are behind your overall message and schematic philosophy, there is endless room for growth. For all the stumbles and one-sided defeats last season, one thing was for certain with the Falcons: The players believed in Arthur Smith.

They knew he was looking to get them to grow and put them in positions to flourish. Even when Smith made a poor decision to go for it on fourth down or failed to manage the clock properly, or called a highly questionable play, everyone played hard and remained committed to his methods. Building that unity within a locker room in rigorous circumstances speaks volumes about the type of coach Smith is.

Despite a rare outburst at a postgame press conference following an excruciating opening day defeat to New Orleans, Smith is proving to be the leader the Falcons need him to be, along with being the forward-thinking, creative play-caller they envisioned would take the offense to great heights. Smith is doing that by making them one of the more prolific units in the league.

Only five teams have produced more explosive big plays than them after four weeks of action. Unlike units such as Cleveland and Chicago, the Falcons are creating big plays at a balanced rate on the ground and through the air. Smith is using play action and max protection to his advantage in providing Marcus Mariota more high-percentage looks. He is also working relentlessly to help give the Falcons a legitimate ground game for the first time since 2017. That lethal running game was on full display in a memorable win over Cleveland.

Running for over 200 yards as a team is an extraordinary feat regardless of what takes place in the game. For that to be accomplished despite having the ball for barely over 24 minutes is a testament to how dominant the Falcons were on the ground. The Browns had over ten minutes of possession with their sensational running back tandem of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, yet failed to win and gain more rushing yards. Thats how productive the Falcons were on the ground.

They made it evident from the start of the season against New Orleans. As long as the game remains competitive, Smith is going to look to run the ball 30+ times. It already worked to great effect in two games this season, including a much-needed win over Seattle.

The circumstances were more difficult this time around with Cordarrelle Patterson essentially sidelined for most of the second half due to a lingering knee issue, which ultimately put him on short-term injured reserve. With no Patterson or Damien Williams, they had to rely on their core of inexperienced running backs.

Promising rookie Tyler Allgeier, preseason workhorse Caleb Huntley, and converted back Avery Williams had to save the languishing offense against Cleveland. After three consecutive three-and-out drives where Smith called two running plays in total, alterations were necessary.

Mariota was erratic with his ball placement, jittery in the pocket, and struggled to read Clevelands coverage looks. An interception to Denzel Ward on the next drive gave Smith no other alternative but to put the game on his untested backs and enigmatic offensive line. That was the moment everything changed.

While mostly using his traditional zone read concepts, Smith added some variance with his run calls. Getting his athletic offensive line on the move while running in 22 personnel with Pitts lined up to the outside helped them overwhelm an outmanned Browns front seven.

Look no further than Drew Dalman showing impressive agility and technique to execute the pull to create space for Avery Williams to gain 21 yards. It was an astute touch on Smiths part to put his most explosive back on the field to take the handoff to maximize the unique plays potential.

As the game wore on, it became apparent the Falcons had the most success running towards the right side. Dalman had his best game as a pro. Kaleb McGary continues to make drastic strides as an overall blocker. The player who set the tone and made the biggest difference was potential future All-Pro right guard Chris Lindstrom.

The former first-round pick made outstanding blocks all game, from sealing off nose tackles to making pulls to the outside to clear space on outside runs. There were also moments where he straight-up mauled defenders at the second level. Linebacker Sione Takitaki got annihilated by Lindstrom on one of many runs that went for a first down in the second half.

The head coach isnt always going to have all the answers. Sometimes, it will take the coaching staff he assembled to supply guidance on what adjustments to make and which players should be on the field more often. Smith stated running backs coach Michael Pitre suggested giving Huntley an extended opportunity.

That decision made the in-game adjustments come to full fruition as Huntley barreled through defenders, cut between the tackles, and gained yards after contact on what felt like every other carry. His emergence provided the spark for the offense to run and execute an efficient game plan to put together a remarkable performance that could prove to be the launching pad the Falcons needed going forward as a physical, resilient team.

Although Pitre deserves enormous praise for pushing to get Huntley much-needed carries, Smith should receive his dose as well for deciding to keep Huntley. The undrafted running back wasnt mentioned in the general Falcons running back conversations going into the season.

Unlike the public, the coaching staff believed he could be a contributor to the roster. Bringing him onto the roster for this game with Patterson banged up proved to be a brilliant decision as Huntley bounced off defenders like a prime Jason Snelling and consistently produced steady gains.

The mid-round selections of Dalman and Allgeier were equally as influential in the comeback win. Smith made it clear Allgeier was the running back the organization wanted as the draft went on. His sensational performance in the Independence Bowl last year made him the ideal fit for how Smith wanted to shape the running game.

Watching Allgeier let blocks develop, burst into lanes, and carry defenders with him downfield was something to behold. It was the breakout performance that should propel him to take on an expanded role, especially with Patterson sidelined for the next month.

A successful running game goes beyond the running backs and offensive line. It takes a real collaborative effort to take over a game on the ground. That was apparent when watching Smiths offenses in Tennessee wear defenses down and dictate the flow of the game. The way Smith shapes different formations using a mixture of shifts and motions makes the offense so difficult to defend.

It makes a player like Parker Hesse so valuable when you can line him up in different areas to make blocks to create lanes. Keith Smith has become more valuable as well in Smiths offense. Both players are being inserted into positions that best suit their capabilities as willing, hardnosed blockers.

The way the playmakers on the outside are fully embracing the importance of run blocking made a difference against Cleveland. Drake London had a tremendous crackback block on Alex Wright to help Patterson earn a 12-yard gain. Kyle Pitts made multiple solid blocks on the outside. Despite being likely frustrated by the lack of opportunities in the passing game, both players made their mark elsewhere. Being capable blockers is something that is engrained into pass-catchers in Smiths offense.

Olamide Zaccheaus spoke to me in August about the necessity of being able to block to play in Smiths offense. After Sundays win, Pitts told ESPNs Michael Rothstein about how he takes pride in being able to block effectively. It takes consistent drilling and communication to make sure receivers know their duty and the importance of handling their blocking responsibilities. For these young players to embrace blocking and help contribute to a 202-yard rushing performance shows the power of Smiths influence across the locker room.

Smith cant be solely credited for the shrewd decisions on the offensive side of the ball. Dee Alfords game-sealing interception had to be extra special for Smith and Terry Fontenot. Alford was signed three days after the 2021 season ended for the Falcons. The organization opted to take a chance on two players from the CFL in Alford and Brayden Lenius. Alford has seized every opportunity to prove himself since being signed to the point where he earned his place as a valuable contributor.

For him to rise up into the air and secure the victory was the cherry on top in the dramatic victory. Alford is always strategizing how to get better. Adding young talent with a strong work ethic, powerful ambition, and desire to learn is one of the primary aspects behind the teams overall improvement and unified culture.

As encouraging and exciting as the last two performances have been, the Falcons face two upcoming tall orders. The opportunity to battle two fearsome defenses in Tampa Bay and San Francisco will be an excellent test to see where Smith stands going against two of the top defensive minds in the league. Todd Bowles and DeMeco Ryans wont hesitate to bring frequent pressure with their ultra-athletic linebackers and savvy front fours. How Smith counters it with play action and max protection will be fascinating to observe.

What we do know is the Falcons offense is far from being a finished product. Its a foregone conclusion that Desmond Ridder will be stepping onto the field sooner rather than later. His arm, quick decision-making, and poise in the pocket should open things up in the passing game, particularly for Pitts, who Smith needs to do a better job of getting in positions to make big plays. How long Smith waits to make the decision at quarterback could determine if this team will seriously be competitive into January or just feisty and fun.

For the first time in years, the Falcons are legitimately exciting. They have a roster battling hard on every snap and are capable of making timely plays on both sides of the ball. Regardless of the personnel limitations, they play with high intensity and never quit attitude. It resembles their head coachs journey, who worked his way to greater heights in six different positions for nearly a decade in Tennessee.

Smiths determination and persistence to become a head coach has rubbed off on players who were overlooked, undrafted, or not utilized properly on their previous teams. The offense comes prepared with a strategy to outwork and outmaneuver defenses. Thats one of the biggest things you can ask for a team with minimal expectations.

The biggest takeaway from the first part of the season is Smiths substantial growth as a coach. Hes more adaptable than ever before. He understands his team and this game better than ever before. He knows how to maximize his offense more than ever before. No matter the obstacles, the Falcons are going to come up with a plan to beat teams and be ruthless with it. It wont always work, but its already working more often.

Sometimes, it will involve slicing up defenses with play action. Sometimes, it will be (in the glorious words of Smith) running the piss out of the football. Smiths vision may take some time to reach its final form, but his methods and decisions are starting to become something you must take seriously.

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Falcons head coach Arthur Smiths vision is beginning to come to life - The Falcoholic

SARASOTA - To friends and colleagues at his beloved Riverview High School, he was "The Ripper."

But to the only child of Ed Repulski, he was, simply, "Ace." Walking the hallways of Riverview, Ram student Jill Strafaci often would see her father. "But I couldn't yell, 'hey, dad' down the hallway every time," she said. "So, I called him Ace."

When it came to the school of which Ed Repulski was the first athletic director, first basketball coach, one of its first teachers, and founder of the Ram golf program, Ace was all heart. "His blood is the color of Riverview," Joyce, his wife, said in a 2018 story on Repulski. "He just adored the school, and nowadays, the kind of loyalty that he had for it is, I think, non-existent."

And the school that adored Ed Repulski today is in mourning. The man who coached the Ram boys team for nearly 40 years and won more than 600 matches, died peacefully Saturday at his assisted living facility at age 93.

More: A special corner of Ram history for 'Ripper'

More: Riverview sage, Ed Repulski, was there when it all began

The news of Repulski's passing came as a shock to John Sprague, who replaced him as Riverview boys golf coach in 2011. Sprague visited Repulski two months ago and said his mind was clear, recalling people and places. "I was shocked," Sprague said. "He was pretty sharp. I spent thousands of hours with that guy at Riverview. Tell you what, it felt good to talk to him.

"Mr. Ram. He was there the day they opened the doors at Riverview."

Hired by school principal Ed Brown to coach football and serve as athletic director, Repulski arrived in Sarasota in 1958. And while his Ram football and, later, basketball teams didn't flourish, the golf program he founded grew and succeeded under his leadership.

Under Repulski, the Ram boys won two state titles, two runners-up and 12 district crowns. He got Jill started in the sport and it paid off with a golf scholarship to the University of Florida, where Strafaci was a four-year letter-winner on the Lady Gator golf team. Her son, Tyler, is a pro golfer who in 2020, won the U.S. Amateur Championship.

Golf was Repulski's passion and it showed in his commitment to the sport. He was a three-time Florida Golf Coach of the Year, and three times won the District Golf Coach of the Year award, as chosen by the National High School Athletics Coaches Association.

He served 16 years as the state golf chairman for the Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA), and in 1990, was inducted into the FACA Hall of Fame.

Sprague said that whenever the Florida High School Activities Association had a question about golf, they didn't consult a rule book. They consulted with Repulski. The state golf tournament regularly was held at Bent Tree Golf Course. Why? "Because he did a great job," Sprague said. "He had them organized."

Away from the golf course, Repulski served as an FHSAA official in basketball for 22 years, football for six, and baseball for one. Strafaci said it was common for her to do homework in the stands while her dad officiated a basketball game. He left teaching and coaching for a year to work in the Riverview administration. And only for a year.

"He just didn't like it because he was away from his kids," Strafaci said, "and he wanted to get back to teaching." Her dad's legacy, she said, is easy. "The kids," she said. "The kids were really important to him."

As Ed Repulski was to them.

(The funeral for Ed Repulski will be private. A Celebration of Life ceremony will take place later this month at an undecided place and date.)

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Former Riverview Rams boys golf coach Ed Repulski dies at 93 - Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Rachel Whitton, Deputy Head Pastoral and Boarding at Heathfield School explains the mental health and wellbeing it has adopted following its success in Australia.

With mental health continuing to feature prominently in the news, the central importance of happiness and wellbeing is never far from our minds. Taking a positive approach to help students develop the pillars of good mental health to stay well and optimise quality of life is key, and with careful planning this can become an integral part of school life and minimise the spread of the mental health pandemic.

At Heathfield we have chosen to implement an innovative mental health and wellbeing programme which has taken Australia by storm and were fortunate to be the first UK school to adopt the programme. Rather than identifying those in distress or at risk, the positive education programme aims to promote wellbeing from the outset.

At Heathfield School, students can learn about the different aspects of positive psychology and related strategies that they can use in their day to day lives both now and in the future. With the increase in mental health issues among teenagers it is imperative that schools address these issues in a way that is preventative, just as you might keep yourself physically healthy by eating, exercising, and sleeping well.

We have chosen to implement an innovative mental health and wellbeing programme which has taken Australia by storm and were fortunate to be the first UK school to adopt the programme _ Rachel Whitton, Heathfield School

Students in forms one to three receive weekly or fortnightly flourishing lessons which include yoga, meditation and mindfulness and strategies developed from research in positive psychology and positive education. A part of these lessons include Bounce Forwards resilience curriculum. Examples of such lessons might include healthy habits for mental wellbeing, considering random acts of kindness and developing their character strengths. They are given time to reflect on such strategies and are encouraged to practise them outside of the lessons.

Students in form four this year are embarking on mental health mentor training, a course we have co-written with Alicia Drummond, founder of the Teen Tips website. This will give students understanding of the psychology of mental health and illness, listening skills and health coping strategies. They will have lessons in active listening skills and elements of cognitive behavioural therapy to help them to understand how unhelpful thought patterns can be reframed to reduce irrational reactions.

As part of the new sixth form programme, students can opt into studying for an RSPH accredited level two qualification as a young health champion. This is a recognised health award specialising in health improvement, health promotion and in focussing on emotional wellbeing. This will lead to students taking leadership for support and promotion of emotional wellbeing within the school community. They will also receive training to be peer educators, using the mental health foundations peer educator programme, playing a part in campaigns, assemblies, and mental health days in school.

Both staff and pupils are encouraged to take advantage of wellbeing initiatives such as doggy therapy once a week, yoga classes once a week and life coaching and wellbeing peer mentors. For staff we offer a wellbeing therapist, yoga, free meals, monthly social opportunities, life coaching, and are part of the employee assistance programme (EAP), delivered by Health Assured the UK and Irelands leading wellbeing provider.

Over the last year our flourishing curriculum has developed and grown from an innovative Australian based positive education curriculum to a tailor-made provision for the students and staff at our school. It is constantly being evaluated and adapted to target the areas of greatest need. This way we can enable our students to truly flourish and achieve their potential while enjoying life and learning.

We analyse the impact of this programme by using flourishDx surveys for staff and pupils to inform a variety of proactive initiatives, risk assess areas of concern, strength identification, mood tracking and target support for both staff and pupils. Figure 1 illustrates the progress that has been seen in the comparison of our two surveys which highlight the rise in positive emotions from May 2021 to June 2022.

Read more about the IET World Mental Health Day campaign

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Does the mental health pandemic have a vaccine? - Independent Education Today