Finding Purpose After Service: Hollie's Journey to Becoming a Health & Wellbeing Coach

What Inspired You to Train as a Health & Wellbeing Coach After Your Time in the Military?

After serving in both the Army and the RAF, I knew I wanted a new career path—something with purpose, autonomy, and the ability to help others. I’ve always been passionate about fitness and health. However, I realized that optimal health goes beyond physical training. I wanted to incorporate nutrition, behavior change, and lifestyle into a holistic approach.

My own experience with emotional eating, restrictive habits, and living with an autoimmune condition made me confront my relationship with food. That honesty became the catalyst for change. I knew I wanted to help others do the same, especially those struggling with losing weight, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and related conditions.

How Has Your Military Experience Shaped the Way You Approach Health Coaching?

Military life taught me discipline, resilience, and structure—traits that are invaluable in health coaching. More importantly, it gave me a deep understanding of what it's like to operate under pressure. I learned to manage stress and push through mental and physical limits.

These experiences allow me to truly relate to clients facing challenging behavior patterns. I also understand the military mindset. This will be crucial when I work specifically with current and former service members.

What Has Your Journey Been Like Training with Health Coaches Academy?

Training with Health Coaches Academy has been a transformative experience. It’s not just about gaining knowledge—it’s about deep personal growth. The course provided me with the tools to understand not only others' behaviors but my own, too.

The support from the Health Coaches Academy community has been outstanding. Everyone is driven by the same mission: to help and empower others. That sense of community has made the journey even more rewarding.

What Does Being a Health Coach Mean to You Now?

Being a Health Coach has brought a new sense of purpose to my life. It’s allowed me to rebuild my health from the inside out—mentally, emotionally, and physically. I’ve gained better insight into my habits. I’ve learned to manage emotional eating in a healthier way and feel more in control of my overall wellbeing.

This journey takes time. I want to help my clients enjoy that journey too. The work I do with others reinforces my own progress—it’s a two-way street.

How Has Becoming a Health Coach Supported Your Lifestyle and Goals Beyond Military Life?

Transitioning from military life can leave a gap in both structure and identity. Coaching has helped me rediscover a sense of mission and service, just in a different form. It provides the flexibility to work around family commitments while building something that’s truly my own.

Most importantly, it aligns with my values and long-term goal: creating meaningful change in people’s lives.

How Do You Plan to Use Your Health Coaching Qualification in the Next Stage of Your Career?

My vision is to build a health coaching business that supports people struggling with lifestyle-related health conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes. I also want to dedicate part of my business to serving the military community—helping personnel, veterans, and their families make sustainable behavior changes that improve both performance and long-term health. There’s so much potential for impact there.

Benefits of Health Coaching for the Military Community

Absolutely, I believe more people in the military community could greatly benefit from health coaching. Military life can create rigid routines and high-stress environments. These often mask deeper issues like burnout, emotional eating, or a lack of self-awareness around health habits. Health coaching provides a space for reflection, behavior change, and healing.

On the other side, becoming a coach offers veterans and service personnel a meaningful career path. They can continue to serve but in a new and powerful way.

Advice for Those Considering Training as a Health & Wellbeing Coach

If you’re in the military community and thinking about training to become a Health & Wellbeing Coach, go for it. If you’re passionate about helping others and want a career with purpose, this is an incredible opportunity.

You already have the drive, resilience, and leadership skills from your military background. Coaching gives you the framework to utilize those strengths to change lives. It’s not just a job; it’s a mission that can impact others while transforming your own life.

Conclusion: The Importance of Health Coaching in the Military Community

Hollie’s story highlights the powerful connection between military experience and the qualities needed to succeed as a Health and Wellbeing Coach. Resilience, leadership, and a deep desire to serve others are key attributes.

Whether you're looking to improve your own wellbeing or support others with lifestyle-related conditions, health coaching offers a unique opportunity. For those in the military community exploring life beyond service, becoming a Health and Wellbeing Coach could be a meaningful next mission that truly makes a difference.

To find out more, join one of our free upcoming introductory webinars.