About Wa Lifestyle & Wellness Center
Authorized Ideal Protein Clinic
At Wa Lifestyle & Wellness Center, we believe lasting wellness is more than just a protocol — it's a personalized, science-backed journey. Our clinic was founded on the principle that real health isn't achieved through quick fixes or one-size-fits-all plans, but through a structured, clinically developed approach tailored to your unique biology, lifestyle, and goals. We offer the Ideal Protein protocol combined with certified one-on-one coaching, nutrition education, and ongoing support — whether you're following the full program or simply looking for high-protein nutritional foods.
A structured approach, built around you
Certified Coaching & Expert Support
Our certified Ideal Protein coach provides personalized guidance, nutrition education, and accountability — helping you stay on track at every stage of the program.
Medically Developed Protocol
The Ideal Protein protocol is a clinically developed nutrition program overseen by our Medical Director. It's structured, proven, and designed to be followed safely with professional support.
Fully Personalized Approach
No two people are the same, and neither are their journeys. From your first consultation through every milestone, our approach is tailored to your body, lifestyle, and goals.
The people behind your care
Dr. Sandra R. McGowan
Dr. McGowan provides medical oversight for the Ideal Protein protocol at Wa Lifestyle & Wellness Center, ensuring every client receives safe, professionally supervised nutritional support.
A Chicago native, she's been a family medicine physician for more than 15 years and is the founder of McGowan Family Health & Wellness Center. She earned her medical degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine and completed her family medicine residency at Stroger Hospital of Cook County. Her approach centers on treating the whole person — building real relationships with patients and working collaboratively on long-term self-care — with a particular focus on serving medically underserved communities.
Cassandra Smiley Watts
Cassandra's background starts in clinical care, not marketing. She's a Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) with more than 20 years in healthcare program management across payer, provider, Medicaid, and state and federal health — experience that shows up in how she coaches: comfortable coordinating alongside a client's prescribing provider when a GLP-1 medication is part of the picture, and focused on measuring what actually matters rather than what's easiest to track. She's also an active member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), Chicago chapter.
Cassandra coaches body composition, not just weight loss — reviewing body fat trend, lean mass trend, weight trend, waist measurements, and habits, in that order, rather than treating the scale as the whole story. She leads weekly check-ins, provides nutrition education, and works alongside Dr. McGowan's medical oversight of the protocol. Her role is coaching and education — medication decisions always stay with a client's healthcare provider. For clients who reach a healthy body composition goal, she continues the relationship through Now Keep It Off, into long-term maintenance rather than stopping at the goal.
See How It Works and GLP-1 Nutritional Support & Coaching for more on what coaching with Cassandra looks like, or the FAQ for answers to common questions.
Visit Us or Connect Online
Wa Lifestyle & Wellness Center is located at 222 Vollmer Road, Suite 2A, Chicago Heights, IL 60411 — serving clients throughout Chicago's South Suburbs, Kankakee County, and Northwest Indiana in person, with remote coaching available nationwide.
We see clients by appointment only, in person and remotely. Reach out and we'll find a time that works for you.
📞 (708) 683-3525 | ✉️ Info@waidealprotein.com
Disclaimer: The Ideal Protein protocol is a nutritional program and should not replace professional medical care. These products are designed to support wellness and nutritional goals and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition.