What the heck is a “Lifestyle Coach”?
Put simply, a Lifestyle Coach is someone who guides you on a journey to become the best and healthiest version of yourself. Lifestyle Coaching encompasses exercise, nutrition, mental health and wellness, relationships, habits, and spirituality. That may sound like a lot, but these areas of your life are all interconnected. In fact, the National Wellness Institute states that “wellness is multidimensional and holistic, encompassing lifestyle, mental and spiritual well-being, and the environment.” A Lifestyle Coach can help you realize where you’re “stuck” in life - and from there, we can create a realistic yet transformative path forward.
For example, your unhealthy snacking habit might be a method you subconsciously use to cope with frustration from your job. Or, maybe you avoid going to the gym because your schedule feels jam-packed with commitments, and we need to re-examine your priorities. It would be pointless to simply say, “Let’s focus on healthier eating” or “Go to the gym three times this week” without tackling the underlying root causes of your current lifestyle.
How is a Lifestyle Coach different from a life coach, nutritionist, therapist, personal trainer, or meditation instructor?
There are SO many experts who are qualified to help you in each of these different areas of your life, and I have nothing but respect for my fellow coaches of various disciplines. Lifestyle Coaching blends key aspects of these fields together for a “big-picture” view of your life. From there, we zero in on the areas where you feel “stuck” and explore solutions that will work for you.
At StrayFit, we use the B.A.L.A.N.C.E acronym to focus on Breath, Aqua, Lengthen, Anaerobic, Nutrition, Cleanse, Energize. StrayFit offers virtual coaching as well as in-person sessions for Atlanta locals. As a long-time vegan, I have helped many clients learn about veganism and explore plant-based nutrition - but I work with clients of all diets and lifestyles to help them discover what works best for them.
What can you expect when working with a Lifestyle Coach?
One-on-one discussions about your lifestyle and goals, guided workouts, “homework” challenges, and periodic check-ins are all part of Lifestyle Coaching. The specifics vary based on your priorities - but in a broad sense, you can expect that we’ll evaluate where you are currently, identify the roadblocks in your life, create an actionable plan forward, and continue to make adjustments and check in with each other.
My approach to coaching is influenced by experts thought leaders that I admire. I’m inspired by people like vegan ultra-endurance athlete Rich Roll, fellow wellness speaker and coach Preston Smiles, and yogi/coach Tami Amanda.
Who is a Lifestyle Coach for?
It feels cliche to say “everyone” - but, truly, Lifestyle Coaching is for everyone! The wonderful thing about this approach to wellness is that it meets you where you are. We begin with the firm belief that you are already enough. You are worthy of love and happiness, exactly as you are. What we’re going to do is discover your full potential as you transform into the happiest, healthiest version of your beautiful, unique self.