Chasing Dreams Interview with Katie Bressack: Becoming a Health + Wellness Coach
/This interview is part of the Chasing Dreams interview series. I’ve interviewed a variety of entrepreneurs and small business owners who have chosen a different path in life in order to go after his or her dream career. Have an entrepreneur in mind you’d like to learn more about? Let me know! Katie Bressack is a women's wellness expert based in Los Angeles. She's been featured by companies like MSNBC, Fox Business, and American Express. Find out what inspired her to become a health coach, and what she's done to find success in the wellness industry.
Let’s dig in!
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At what point did you know you wanted to follow this career path? How did you know this was the right direction?
I suffered for most of my life with sinus infections, colds, and constantly feeling sluggish no matter what I ate or how often I moved my body. When I healed my body through being mindful about my choices– healthier foods, starting a daily yoga practice, treating myself to acupuncture, and reflexology foot massages– my health improved dramatically.
I started feeling so much more confident and comfortable in my body, and I just wanted everyone else in my life to feel as good as I did. I become obsessed with yoga, went back to school for nutrition and started my own business.
When I see a client of mine smiling so big because she feels so happy in her body and life, when she gets a promotion at work because she feels confident in her body and it shows up in all areas of her life, that is when I know I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be!
What are the biggest struggles you've faced while trying to achieve your dreams?
Letting go!
For the first few years of having my own business, it was all I could talk about or think about. This past year, I made a conscious effort to not think about my business all of the time.
I took more time off, spent time with more of my favorite people and really made an effort to let go at the end of the day by logging out of my email and social media accounts.
I had the best year in my business and a lot of it was due to letting go.
This allowed me the space to put 100% of my time, energy and effort into working when I was on the clock. This took me almost six years to figure out and was a huge struggle for me, but I’m really enjoying the balance I’ve learned to create in my life this past year. I’m going to continue to make it even better this year.
Owning your own business can be tough on the body and mind, between long days, instability and really putting yourself out there to reach your goals. How do you stay healthy? Do you have any rituals that help you stay centered?
When I started my business, I quickly realized that if I didn’t take care of myself first, then I couldn’t be there as much as I wanted to for my clients.
I now schedule “me time” on my calendar every day. I take time in the morning for deep breathing, meditation and getting calm and centered before I start my day. If I forget to do this, my entire day feels off.
I also move my body every day– I go to yoga at lunch or take my dog for a nice walk. I find that taking time away from my computer creates space and clarity, which helps me focus and actually get things done much easier!
Speaking of putting yourself out there, overcoming rejection is a big part of chasing dreams. How do you bounce back?
I’ve created a really amazing support system which includes my super supportive husband, who has been my biggest cheerleader with my business. I also have friends I’ve known forever, who always cheer me along, even when I feel overwhelmed. My support system never lets me quit!
Plus, I have so many other women entrepreneurs that I’m grateful to call my friends, who I can call up at anytime to vent and ask for some helpful advice!
What do you do when you're having an off day—maybe feeling down, struggling with self-doubt, or just unmotivated?
I stop whatever it is I’m doing, get out of my house and move. I either go to a yoga class, take a walk or meet up with a friend.
I have learned that pushing to just get something done only makes me feel even more overwhelmed. That's when I get caught in a spiral where everything just feels off.
When I feel rested and refreshed, that's when so many of my favorite ideas come to me!
What is one misconception people have about you and/or your profession?
That I’m going to put them on a strict diet and it’s hard to be healthy.
Women often come to me after trying to lose weight for many years so they can figure out what to eat and how to feel balanced in their body.
They're always surprised when I tell them to eat chocolate, stop counting calories and take more time for themselves.
I believe that being healthy is about making the right changes to your life that make sense for you.
We are all individuals and should know how to take care of ourselves in the most easy and nourishing way possible.
What is one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned along the way?
To not compare myself to others. When I started out in my business I would look up to people in my profession who had a huge social media following and think that they have “made it” and that I should be at their level.
We are all on our own unique journey and comparing our bad days to their good days is the easiest way to stop chasing our dreams.
I've learned to let go of what I think I should be doing, what others are doing and just walk my own path. It’s much easier this way for me! After all, “comparison is the thief of joy”, according to Teddy Roosevelt!
What advice would you give to someone who wants to follow a path similar to what you have?
Figure out what makes you so excited to talk about!
There are so many different paths you can go down in nutrition and wellness, and each time you find what lights you up, take some time to think about why. If you're thinking about it, I’m sure other people in your life are too. So it might be something to explore so you can help others.
When do you feel the most inspired, alive and the most like YOU?
When I’m with my closest friends, dancing, singing and being silly! I spend a lot of my time focused on supporting others and building my business. Without my friends, I wouldn’t feel like me. Plus I don’t think you're ever too old to dance!
What people, books, music, etc. inspire you?
Taylor Swift is one of my biggest inspirations. I've loved watching her evolve over the years and use her voice to support others. She's very authentic in all that she does. She's able to share with her fans in a way that others feel connected. I admire that very much. She's the first person I listen to when I need a pick-me-up during the day!
I love reading as well, and read as much fiction as I possibly can. Especially after a long day immersed in nutrition, I find that it helps me switch gears and relax in the evening. I’ve always been a huge fan of Jodi Picoult and Kristin Hannah.
Describe your favorite moment or accomplishment in your career so far.
My favorite accomplishments are really my client’s achievements.
I love keeping in touch with them after we've stopped working together and seeing how life keeps getting better and better for them.
My favorite moment this past year was hearing that one of my clients is pregnant with her first child. She was told it was going to be difficult to get pregnant. I helped her make changes to her lifestyle and diet that enabled her to get pregnant. I can’t wait to see pictures of her baby once he or she is born!
What’s the most exciting thing going on in your life right now?
I’m planning a trip with my hubby to Nicaragua! We love traveling and exploring new places and try to do a few trips a year if we can!
About Katie Bressack
Lover of avocados, green smoothies and chocolate, Katie Bressack is a Women's Holistic Health Coach and Corporate Wellness Expert living in Los Angeles. With Katie's support, the women she counsels lose weight, eat healthier, maintain a balanced mood, get pregnant, increase energy levels, and live a healthier and more vibrant life. The best part is when her clients feel so good they get higher paying jobs, fall in love, start businesses and move. It’s truly incredible to watch the transformation of these women who go from feeling stuck to empowered to live their dreams.
Katie is a Certified Health and Wellness Coach from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and Board Certified by the American Association for Drugless Practitioners (AADP). She also has a certificate from the Institute of The Psychology of Eating, Trained in the Hormone Cure with Dr. Sara Gottfried and is a Registered Yoga Instructor.
