I’m Jessica See, founder of Health Coach International. Before I started Health Coach International, I had a company called Image Coach International, training corporate clients how to look good, feel great, together with my then partner June Tan. I think my perspective changed one day when I was reading a book called Half Time by Bob Buford. I can’t remember the exact story, but basically it was about this high-flying corporate executive who was running from one airport terminal to another to catch a connecting flight, and he tripped and fell. It was an epiphany for him. He just looked up to the sky and asked himself: Is this what life is all about? He went on to quit his job and started doing something which held more meaning for him.
At that moment, I realized that coaching people on how they look and on their personal branding was not my true passion. Although I was doing well, and had just completed a book called Purple Cat – which never got published because of my change of direction – I knew there was more to a life of meaning and purpose.
I still loved coaching, and I realized, it would be so much more fulfilling to help people look good and feel great, from inside out. To add more years to their life and life to their years. To stay healthy and happy for life. To have wellness physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally and socially.
From that moment, I closed Image Coach International and started a new company to focus on health coaching. I took up courses on nutrition, psychology, stress management, lifestyle medicine and so on to arm myself with my knowledge in an area I was at that time totally new to. Today, I’m so fulfilled with what I do, and my biggest reward is when a client tells me how I have helped them turn around their health.
So, what about you? Are you truly living your dream life and doing what you really want to do? Or are you simply taking the path of least resistance, and doing what you are trained for, or “good” at, yet finding little fulfilment in what you do?
In my career as a coach, I’ve met many who have been courageous enough to change direction in their lives, to pursue their passion. I’ve had medical doctors deciding to become health coaches, and even one who decided to open an Italian restaurant and be the head chef as he loves cooking.
But of course, making changes is never easy. We may doubt our own ability. Others may doubt us.
But as Tony Robbins once said: “Change is never a matter of ability; it’s always a matter of motivation.” Let your capacity to change not be the primary obstacle, but rather the driving force behind it. Robbins believes that if someone is sufficiently motivated, they can overcome any perceived limitations and achieve their desired changes.
Here are some questions you can reflect on that may help you move on:
- What was the biggest challenge in your life? How were you able to overcome it on your own? How did a change in perspective help?
- Who was your most inspiring mentor? Can you share one way he/she changed the way you thought about something, and as a result, this change in thinking took you along roads you had not travelled before?
- What was your biggest fear in life? How were you able to overcome it? How did a change in perspective help?
- What is your biggest achievement in life? What would you credit it to?
I’ll end here with another thought: Are you afraid of the unknown or the known?
Deepak Chopra often speaks about the fear of the unknown and how it can hinder personal growth and joy. According to him, uncertainty is essential for creativity and freedom, while the fear of it can lead to anxiety and a reluctance to embrace new possibilities. Chopra suggests that a better alternative is to fear the known – getting stuck in a “comfort zone” – and moving forward with curiosity and focusing on the present moment, where the unknown holds fresh potential.
————————————
Written by Jessica See, Health Coach
Need help finding your life purpose and gaining a fresh perspective? Book a session with Jessica today!
