Making a Lasting Impact: My Personal Contribution to Wellness and Sustainable Change
Do you remember the proudest moment of your professional career?
That time when you were finally able to take a step back and, for just a moment, think to yourself, Wow, I can’t believe it…all of the hard work and sacrifice was worth it. I’ve accomplished something I never thought possible.
For me, that moment came today. No, I did not win an esteemed award. No, I did not earn a PhD. And no, I did not get promoted to Chief Well-being Officer. (#goals)
But let’s back up… Let me tell you WHY this was the proudest moment of my professional career.
Four years ago, I decided to follow my passion into health and wellness. I trained for one year, while working full time, to become a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach. I started a coaching business… without any business training. I left my comfortable, stable career in school psychology (much to my husband’s dismay). I tried out the corporate wellness world. I studied for and passed the licensing exam to become a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach. I grew my private practice. I pivoted from supporting women’s gut health to helping burnt out high achievers. I learned how to market myself. I learned how to attract clients. I started a second business with a business partner. It went south. I lost everything. I had to begin again. I did.
I didn’t give up. I sacrificed time with family and friends. I sacrificed sleep. I sacrificed my retirement funds. I picked up contract work to make ends meet. I continued to put myself out there. I spoke on podcasts. I spoke at online summits. I spoke about my dreams for my business to anyone who would listen. I expanded my business from 1-on-1 coaching to developing and executing wellness workshops. I received feedback that helped me realize individual resilience is only one piece of the puzzle, so I spent a year independently researching ways to create systemic change within organizations and communities to break down barriers and support people’s health and well-being.
I started giving disclaimers at my workshops and keynotes, acknowledging that wellness workshops are not a panacea, they are just piece of the puzzle- and I owned the fact that I didn’t have all the answers. I found the missing link when I discovered the Colorado School of Public Health’s Total Worker Health graduate certificate program. I applied. I was accepted. I did not have the funding to attend. I applied for - and received- a generous scholarship. I was- I am- so grateful.
I continued to grow my private practice, working with individuals and organizations. I continued to put myself out there, to believe in myself, even while feeling like I was alone on a deserted island. Entrepreneurship is lonely. Going against the grain is isolating. You must have total conviction and belief in your mission. I did. Others will think you are delusional… and you might be, a little.
Two months ago, I had to make a tough decision. I could see that my business was really picking up steam, but the uncertainty and instability that comes with business ownership is tricky when you’re also a parent. So I swallowed my pride. I went back to full time employment in an industry that had swallowed me up and left me worse for the wear. I went back to what was safe and predictable. It was the choice I had to make for my family. And that is okay.
But I didn’t give up. I committed to staying the path, working harder. Like my husband’s favorite shirt says, “Work harder. No one cares.”
So when I received an invitation to present a webinar training on a topic I am so incredibly passionate about, I was over the moon. Today was the proudest day of my professional career.
Today, I had the humble honor and privilege to present a webinar training to over 300 wellness leaders across the country. I presented an hour-long training that I personally developed, based on my experience and expertise, titled “Innovative Approaches to Creating Effective Wellness Workshops” to 300+ members of The National Wellness Institute and The Wellness Council of America.
Not many know how much this means to me. Today, I contributed to the field I love in a way that will have a positive ripple effect on countless others. I am proud because I know what it took to get to this place where I can share my knowledge. I am proud because I persevered. I am proud because I continued to believe in myself, and in the message I have to share. And I take pride in knowing that the information I shared today will be used to connect and engage with those who need it most, so that they can feel inspired and empowered to take action toward sustainable changes for the health and well-being of themselves, their families, their communities, workplaces, and beyond.
