Hi, I’m Russell Ricard.

My journey with health and wellness spans decades. I grew up as a dancer, writer, and theater performer with keen self-reflection and awareness of how the mind, body, and spirit impacts overall health and well-being. 

I’ve nurtured my passion for health and wellness by attaining my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and certifications as both a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, including teaching in a corporate fitness studio.

In 2023, I pursued education as a health & wellness coach. Now, as a National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC), in accordance with the National Board for  Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) competencies, approved and administered by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), the highest-level credential in the industry, I am the proud owner of Calm Mindset Wellness, LLC. 

In short, as both a business professional and creative, having navigated many paths, I’ve lived the pressures of imposter syndrome; a busy mind navigating work-life balance, and standards of high-achievement, all of which informs my empathy, knowledge, and skills as a coach who can help guide clients toward a more calm mindset: focus, clarity, and overall balanced health and wellness. 

When I’m not coaching, I enjoy reading, nurturing my writing practice, theater and film, cooking, outdoor activities, and traveling with my husband, Scott. 


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  • Mindset

  • Mind-Body Connection

  • Mindfulness

  • Work-Life Balance

  • Burnout

  • Stress Management

  • Emotional Resilience

  • Time Management

  • Life Transitions

  • Aging

  • Creativity

  • Health Habits

  • Life Purpose

  • Retirement 

My Approach

Health and Wellness coaching to help cultivate self-compassion, reframe mindset, reduce stress, and prevent burnout which can enhance overall health and wellbeing. 


Mine is a holistic approach that honors whole-person dynamics, and values how the mind, body, and spirit impacts health and lifespan. 


As a National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC), I do not prescribe, diagnose, or treat health or mental health conditions, rather I partner with, and support client autonomy while helping to guide them toward their own, self-determined health and wellness goals, including offering science-backed education as necessary. 

Furthermore, I honor a 100% commitment to confidentiality. Client’s personal information and details of their sessions will remain private, unless otherwise given written consent by the client.


The client is in the driver's seat while I, the coach, am in the passenger's seat during our conversations: collaborations that nurture creativity, self-compassion, and even humor in the process. 


While my primary interest is on how mindfulness/mindset impacts behavior change, I coach toward individual client's needs, desires, and autonomy regarding how all pillars of health: Lifestyle, Exercise, Attitude, and Nutrition impacts their overall health and wellbeing.


My Focus Areas

Methods I Use

  • Positive Psychology

  • Motivational Interviewing

  • Affirmations

  • Empathetic Listening

  • Dimensions of Well-being

  • SMART Goals

  • Stages of Change

  • Appreciative Inquiry

  • Mind-Body Practice

  • Meditation 

  • Journaling 

  • Visualizations 

  • Solution-Based Coaching 

National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC): National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC)

Master Certified Health Coach (MCHC):  Dr. Sears Wellness Institute (DSWI)

Certified Personal Trainer: American Council on Exercise (ACE)

Certified Group Fitness Instructor:  American Council on Exercise (ACE)

Behavior Change Specialist Program:  American Council on Exercise (ACE) 

BA Psychology:  CUNY/Queens College

MFA in Creative Writing:  The New School



My Training/Certifications