Meet Oly Cumpian

We recently connected with Oly Cumpian and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Oly, so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?

I think my ability to take risks was born from purpose. I come from a very hardworking family, and from a young age, I understood that my generation stood where we are because of the sacrifices of those before us. I’ve always wanted to do more—not in defiance of their path, but in honor of it. That sense of gratitude and responsibility gave me the courage to stretch beyond what was familiar.

Over time, I learned that risk and fear often walk hand in hand. Life experiences have taught me that fear isn’t my enemy—it’s there to protect me. But instead of letting it take the lead, I’ve learned to have conversations with it. When fear shows up, I ask myself: What’s scarier—the risk of trying, or the regret of not trying at all?

Usually, that question reminds me that growth and meaning live on the other side of discomfort. Taking risks doesn’t mean being fearless—it means learning to walk with fear and keep moving anyway.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m a Body Liberation and Respectful Eating Coach, and my work has always centered on helping people live fuller, freer lives in the bodies they have right now. Over the years, I’ve guided women to reconnect with their bodies, heal their relationship with food, and let go of the shame and pressure that diet culture often creates. I’ve also worked closely with parents—teaching them how to raise confident, body-respectful kids who grow up feeling safe in their skin.

Recently, my focus has evolved toward fitness and wellness professionals—the people who have such powerful influence in shaping how others see and treat their bodies. I now help coaches, trainers, and studio owners boost their client retention by transforming the way they talk about health, progress, and bodies. It’s about shifting from an unconscious weight-centric model to one rooted in compassion, care, and evidence-based language—creating spaces where all bodies feel respected, seen, and motivated to return.

What excites me most is that this work bridges science, social justice, and humanity. I get to help professionals make a real difference—not just in how their clients move, but in how they feel about themselves.

Right now, I’m collaborating with local fitness professionals to learn more about their biggest challenges and where my expertise can help them create more inclusive, emotionally safe spaces. I’ve also been invited to speak at several conferences, which has been such an energizing way to share this message more widely.

At its heart, my brand is about liberation—not just from diet culture, but from shame, fear, and the idea that our worth is tied to appearance. My mission is to remind people, and the professionals who serve them, that we don’t need to change our bodies to live meaningful, joyful lives.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The first quality that has shaped my journey is resilience—the willingness to do it scared. Building something different takes courage, and fear will always be there. I’ve learned you don’t have to wait until you feel ready—just start. You can always pivot along the way. It’s okay to change your mind—no one cares as much as you think they do.

The second is curiosity. Staying curious has allowed me to keep learning, unlearning, and expanding. Whether it’s around body image, social justice, or human behavior, curiosity helps me lead with empathy instead of judgment. My advice: stay open, ask questions, and don’t assume there’s only one “right” way.

And finally, collaboration and communication. Entrepreneurship isn’t a solo act—it requires asking for help, having difficult conversations, and learning to balance personal life, family commitments, and professional goals. This work takes emotional maturity as much as strategy. My advice: build community early, seek honest feedback, and communicate clearly—with yourself and others.

Resilience, curiosity, and collaboration have been the anchors of my journey. They remind me that growth happens not in perfection, but in connection—with our purpose, our people, and ourselves.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Yes! I’m currently looking to collaborate with fitness and wellness professionals who are passionate about creating spaces that support true wellbeing—spaces where clients feel respected, included, and safe in their bodies.

I’m especially interested in connecting with coaches, trainers, yoga instructors, nutrition professionals, and studio owners who are ready to explore what health looks like beyond beauty standards, moral judgments, and social constructs. My work helps professionals detach from those outdated frameworks and build practices rooted in compassion, evidence, and body respect.

Collaboration, to me, means curiosity and growth on both sides. Whether it’s through workshops, team trainings, or community conversations, I love partnering with professionals who care deeply about reducing harm and helping people feel at home in their bodies.

If this resonates with you, I’d love to connect! You can find me on all social platforms as @olycumpianbl—I’m always open to meaningful conversations and new partnerships that align with this mission.

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