YOU'RE MY WHY

For years, I have tried to navigate and figure out where God was leading me, and what in the world He wanted me to do with the assortment of education and life experiences I have had.

At times, I felt pretty hopeless that any of the degrees, successes, failures, heartbreaks, and victories could be used for anything worthwhile. Last year, I decided to stop feeling sorry for myself from roadblocks and unexpected life changes and dive deeply into what matters to me and how I can make that something I do daily. I discovered that health and fitness, spiritual and emotional health, and helping people feel like they’re living the life they are called to energize me and bring me purpose. But how in the world do I make that a job?

I have a background in kinesiology, psychology, physical therapy, and leading multiple bible studies and working in mentorship programs. But how do I piece all of that together to really use the skills that I have developed and the knowledge I have gained?

I started googling “holistic health” or “holistic counseling” and discovered Health Coach Institute, which boasted an impressive program and highly successful students who are making a huge impact on peoples’ lives. As I received another, “You’re great…but your personality doesn’t fit what we are needing on our team right now,” from another medical sales company I thought, “What do I have to lose?”

I applied for the program, paid my tuition, and started taking the online classes without telling anyone, at first. I was skeptical. I mean, this career field is up and coming but there is still a lot of “woo woo” around the terms “Health Coach” or “Life Coach.” They aren’t doctors, or psychiatrists, or nutritionists, or financial advisors (but don’t get me wrong, many do have these accolades and degrees and choose to practice coaching!), yet they can help in all of these areas? I wasn’t so sure…but I was hopeful. The “what if” of it all kept me in it long enough to become a believer.

Slowly, as I worked through all of the lectures and course work and worked with my classmates on discovering our triggers, insecurities and our own barriers in reaching our highest potential, I discovered how I had fallen out of love with myself over the last few years. For so long I had felt stuck in a place of disgust, frustration, and, at times, despair.

Through practice of the exercises I was learning about how to overcome fears and self-doubt, and a whole lotta self-reflection and prayer (plus making changes in my eating habits as an added bonus!) I began to feel worthy again. Like I was doing something meaningful and moving in the right direction. Everything in my life became so much clearer. And then I began to realize how self-absorbed I had been the whole time to think I am the only one who has been (or is going) through this! I know I can’t be alone- how many women out there must be struggling with the same things and have no idea where to start?!

Now, I am fully certified and working with women who are already having great successes with weight loss, increasing energy, job changes, and most importantly, a greater sense of confidence, self-worth, and purpose (all things I had to find for myself not too long ago). All of these changes happen through the power of habit and behavior change, which is what I specialize in.

In our society, most of us know WHAT to do, we just have no idea where to start or HOW to get there and then how to make those changes stick. This is something that I felt buried under for so long. There were so many options yet none at the same time. I felt paralyzed as I attempted to find my passion, the job that fit my degrees, the foods that didn’t make me feel bloated and disgusting, the city where I would thrive, the guy who fit my personality…the list goes on. And I am willing to bet that I am not alone.

That is WHY I am doing this. She is WHY I love my job. You are WHY I want to continue learning so that I can help you live the life you desire and have been called to.

So, if you know anyone is looking to lose weight, gain energy (and do so in a holistic, healthy way) or has been where I have been- at a total loss and desperate to find purpose, I would love to listen to them and share what I know so that they can LIVE BOUNDLESSLY.