Training for Life VAL WOODS I would not be where I am today without the amazing people that I have met! Looking back over the last year I can honestly say that I have loved my first year in business - the highs, the lows, and every exciting, unexpected turn. I am looking forward to year two with great expectations!
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n July 2, 2022, I pushed past my fears, stopped questioning my abilities and started my own CPR training business. It didn’t take long for me to begin to feel comfortable, secure, and happy in my new set up. I invested in myself, purchased equipment, took a few online courses, joined amazing organizations, and attended several conferences and networking events because I thought it would be helpful. I truly underestimated how essential these investments of time and resources would be to getting through my first year in business! With limited income, taking time off work as a nurse for conferences, courses, and coaching calls felt like a waste of time and money. I’m so glad I didn’t follow that feeling in my head telling me,
“Girl, take your butt back to work full time! This isn’t going to be worth it! It’s too much time and money!” The time and money I spent on the skills I learned, the people I have met, and the continued experience of being completely out of my comfort zone continues to pay off. I can truly say that
When I think about what I lost on November 12, 2018, it makes all that I have gained since then especially meaningful. On that day, I lost my only sibling. He was parked in a grocery store parking lot and began to bleed out from a ruptured aneurysm in his Arteriovenous fistula in his left arm. Bystanders reported it only took the EMS less than five minutes to get to him after calling 911. When EMS arrived it was reported that my brother was unresponsive, and they began CPR and First Aid immediately. Val Woods CPR was birthed as a result of living through that season. It has become my passion to equip bystanders with the knowledge, confidence and skills needed to act in emergency situations. I passionately teach high quality BLS, CPR, AED, and First Aid Training. My goal is to continue to equip individuals, families, and communities with the skills needed to act in emergency situations while waiting for Emergency Medical Services to arrive. Not many businesses can say what they do can mean life or death, but mine does. The knowledge I have shared with children and adults, equips them with skills that can save a life. Even five minutes can make a difference as evidenced by my brother’s sudden death. I am passionate about training as many people as I can. Empowering bystanders to save lives is an important way for me to honor my brother. His life will not be in vain.