Sometimes we never reach the goals that we set for ourselves.

Board certified health counsellor Preston J. Ephraim II says that he can assist you in reaching your goals, whatever they are, by looking at the holistic you.

Diet, spirituality, occupation, physical activity, ancestry, lifestyle and age together defined as components of a person's 'bio-individuality' all play a part, he explained.

"If someone wanted to work on how they can elevate their business and really get out there, or how they are inhibiting themselves on getting out there, then we can work with that so that they can work at their highest efficiency," he said.

Mr. Ephraim is the founder of two companies, Ephraim's Excellence and Innovative Body Sculpting. He works with individuals to achieve their health and life goals, using a step-by-step approach that is comfortable for them.

In his examinations, he considers each person's bio-individuality to meet their needs.

"So many people are allergic to strawberries or peanuts they may give me tons of energy and may give you hives," Mr. Ephraim said.

"So it is really working with the individual...and finding out what is inhibiting them [and then giving] them foods and guiding their lifestyles to make positive change."

Mr. Ephraim offers a free consultation after which interested persons embark on a six-month programme.

"It is about working it out and pacing yourself rather than rushing.

"Also letting it all go and not judging yourself and [not] living in the past, but using these things as a point to move forward."

The holistic approach is what separates his work from that of a typical therapist, Mr. Ephraim stated.

"When people go to a psychiatrist they only focus on you in one capacity. If you go to someone who deals with the heart, they only deal with the heart and someone who deals with the eyes only looks at the eyes. The last time I checked all these things are in the same body but none of these individuals [health practitioners] are communicating with one another. It may be something in your heart that is affecting your eye, which is affecting your nutrition, your communication and your mood with other people."

He continued: "We look at all these different realms of you as a whole and [work out] how can we effectively balance all these things and have it work with you in relation to other people as well."

Mr. Ephraim began his career after he found he had physical ailments usually noticed in persons far older than himself.

"When I came out of high school in the United States, I was ranked 12th in the nation in hurdles and because of my talents I ate whatever I wanted," he said.

"And because I did well academically I partied, as I didn't have to work that hard."

But as a result of not taking care of himself he developed severe acne and kidney and liver problems.

"Because of the severe acne, I went to a dermatologist and they put me on antibiotics," he said.

"You couple that with all the physical activity and partying and your organs will start to fail a bit."

He decided to find a more healthy solution for himself and began a course of study in New York at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.

"I feel that having health counsellors, having this individual that can support you make these small step by step adjustments in your lifestyle and your health, you will accomplish these goals for yourself. It is essential."

For more information telephone Mr. Ephraim on 599-3488, e-mail prestonbda@gmail.com or visit www.ephraimsxcellence.com.