Why I Became a Health Coach

Simply put: P.U.R.P.O.S.E

My desire to support and empower others to achieve their desired state of health and wellness was not a path that I intentionally chose, but a path that has chosen me. For as long as I can remember, my awareness of the importance of health and wellness has been a part of my life and a foundation laid by my parents. Becoming a health coach is not about telling you what to eat or how many burpees to do (though I am happy to do so!) – it is about creating the conditions for YOU to move your needs, desires and priorities related to YOUR health to the top of the list, because the truth remains that we are NEVER in a position to fill someone’s cup before we fill our own.

Coming into YOUR purpose through Self-Care

Here is an interesting observation as I continue on my self-care journey. If true self-care is more than chocolate cake and bubble baths, should it not be the awareness, discovery, realization, knowledge, wakefulness, sentience, recognition, mindfulness, cognizance (FYI I thesaurused the hell out of the word ‘awareness’ to drive home by point here!) of who we are and what are purpose is?

I am sure like many of you, you have seen memes, GIFs, posters, books, clips and quotes talking about “finding your why” or “finding your purpose” As we all navigate our own worlds looking for our why and our purpose BEYOND our obligatory responsibilities I find myself intrigued by the connection between self-care and finding your purpose or your why.

Self-care according to the online Oxford Dictionary (lol) defines self-care as “the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress.”  Finding your “why” (according to Google – an always reliable source…lol) is “deciding how you want to measure your life and then living your life in alignment with it.”

In my personal process of self-care I have discovered and uncovered my why. The funny thing about it is I had a strong inkling of what my purpose was, but until I invested the time in myself, my why was not in a position to fully reveal itself! Think about this – how many times have you been able to tell your partner, friend and/or colleague what you feel their purpose is. Whether it was teaching, or the arts, event planning, or coaching – at some time or the other you felt strong about where someone’s passion and ‘why’ was. In that same conversation, if someone were to turn around and ask you your why, you would most likely chuckle and find a way to bring the attention back to them under the guise of supporting their passion (but secretly disappointed in your difficulty to identify your why). Just as an aside, that same awkward chuckle would be used to distract your inner thoughts around engaging in your own self-care.

So what is my point? My point is truly focusing on one self and creating a space for ourselves, by our self (yes meant to be separate) is some of the most uncomfortable work, but also the MOST rewarding work. How can we expect to uncover our talent and passion when we do not nurture, fill and fuel the vessel intended to make things happen.

The drive for our why should spark our desire to care for ourselves the way we care for others. There is no magic wand or perfect scenario – only a recognition that we are worthy of our own time.

#self-care #findingyourwhy #whatisyourpurpose