www.Ups tatePhys i c i ansSC . com | www.Hea l thL i nksUps tate. com | 41 How would you describe your journey to becoming the health leader you are today? I think it started years ago when my grammy passed away. It was never something that was on my radar before then. Seeing her pass away in a subpar nursing home about broke my heart. Being so involved in the senior living process now and having something amazing to offer seniors is everything to me. What routines and habits help you prepare for, or recover from, a day’s challenges? I am a big believer in writing. Starting off the day right with coffee and writing out my goals has made a big impact on my daily mental health and overall life. Being consistent with organization and planning and maintaining a clean workspace is a huge help, too. And baths – I’m a big fan of a hot bath to recover from the day’s wear and tear. What or who inspires you? Shelly Evans is the executive director at Legacy Reserve at Fairview Park, and she inspires me and others every day with her drive to go above and beyond for the seniors in our community. She has a passion for health care and has been in the industry changing lives for years. She puts everything she can into creating the perfect element for seniors to thrive. As a child, did you think you’d be where you are today professionally? I have always loved marketing, and, growing up, I remember so many times where I would have little business transactions at church or school. When I was 7, I was catching and jarring tadpoles to sell to kids at school. I made a killing. Then there was my guinea pig breeding business when I was 9. By the time I turned 18, I had gotten my Realtor’s license and was working full time pursuing that. I was always out looking for the next sale. I love what I do now at this point in my life because, as the director of marketing at Legacy, it’s so much deeper for me than just sales. I strive daily to help and, more importantly, educate families on the importance of senior living and the benefits we can provide their loved one. Describe the person and provider you strive to be. In this industry, people lean on you, and you may just come across an opportunity to change someone’s life. Education is power, and my goal has always been to grow with the industry through knowledge and experience. Helping seniors live a healthy, fulfilling and uplifting lifestyle is beyond enough for me, and I am so grateful life has led me into such a wonderful industry. What advice do you wish you could have given to your younger self? If I had a time machine and could go back to the old days when I was more carefree, I would tell younger Anna to stop doubting – stop worrying about the future and stop questioning the plan. For years, I was so unsure with what it was that I truly wanted out of life, and I was so hard on myself. Life has its ups and its downs, and there is no controlling it. If you think you are in control, you are in for a rude awakening. Do something in life that makes you happy. Do something you love. Be passionate. So many people are not good at the careers they choose because they are not happy doing them. If you are lucky like me, if you keep your doors open, the right thing may fall into your lap that you truly have a heart to pursue. Anna Bradford MSOT, OTR/L LEGACY RESERVE AT FAIRVIEW PARK Simpsonville 864-399-7719 atlasseniorliving.com/legacy-reserve-fairview Photo by Carin Scates Photography. MEN WI N HEALTH
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