An Inspired Chat with Char Holmes of Houston

Char Holmes shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Char, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
Many people are silently struggling with the shame of being in a ‘low season’, those moments when life feels unrecognizable, motivation disappears, and everything seems to have fallen apart. But here’s what they don’t realize: rock bottom isn’t punishment. It’s potential. As a trauma-informed life coach, I help people understand that these moments aren’t signs of failure; they’re fertile ground. When everything is stripped away, that’s when you meet the rawest, realest version of yourself. And from there, you can rebuild intentionally. You can root yourself in purpose instead of pain. People often hide their lowest moments, but what if we reframed them as the beginning, not the breakdown, but the breakthrough? That’s where transformation quietly begins.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Char Holmes, and I’m a trauma-informed life coach, CREA Award-winning writer for Brainz magazine, contributor to Bariatric Surgery Corner, and host of the Just Be You Award-winning podcast Talk Bari to Me, recognized as the Best Bariatric Podcast.

I help individuals navigating major life transitions, particularly those involving identity, emotional healing, and self-worth, rebuild their confidence and purpose from the inside out. What sets my work apart is my trauma-informed approach, blending mindset coaching with deep emotional awareness and a commitment to psychological safety.

In addition to my personal coaching work, I lead a team of certified life coaches through the Talk Bari to Me Coaching Corner, a support hub created specifically for the bariatric community. Together, we provide coaching rooted in empathy, education, and lived experience, helping clients transform not just their bodies but their lives.

Whether I’m writing, speaking, or coaching, my mission remains the same: to remind people that their lowest point isn’t the end, it’s the beginning. Right now, I’m focused on expanding our digital offerings, creating spaces for healing conversations, and equipping others to rise from the inside out with clarity, confidence, and compassion.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Sometimes, the only light you have is the belief someone else holds for you until you learn how to carry that light for yourself.

Three incredible women saw me before I truly saw myself.

The first was my grandmother. Though she’s no longer with us, her impact on my life is everlasting. She saw beyond my rebellion and the trouble I got into as a youth; she saw my heart. She loved me through every phase and treated me with the kind of care that reminded me I was more than my mistakes. She believed in my goodness before I could even name it.

The second was my fifth-grade teacher, Ms. Devot. I was always the “too social, not focused” kid, the one getting those dreaded comments on the report card. But instead of punishing me for it, she reframed it. She told me my voice was powerful and that if I leaned into learning and took my education seriously, I could use that voice to change lives. She made school feel fun and approachable, and her words never left me.

Lastly, there was Tiffany, my manager at T-Mobile, and someone I now consider a turning point in my journey. Tiffany was tough in the best way. She pushed me, challenged me, and believed I could be better than I believed for myself. More importantly, she introduced me to self-development beyond the job. That introduction changed everything. It laid the foundation for the woman I am today and the coach I’ve become. Because of her, I now help others develop into the strongest, truest versions of themselves.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Sweet girl, I know you’re scared. I know you’ve seen things that tried to steal your light. But hear me when I say this, the fear won’t stop you. It might shake you, it might make you question everything, but it will never break you. The pain you carry isn’t who you are; it’s what you survived. And the people who left? Their absence made room for your becoming. They weren’t meant to walk your whole path.

You are worthy not because of what you’ve done, but because of who you are. You are more than enough, even when the world tries to convince you otherwise. You are capable of everything God placed in your spirit: the dreams, the ideas, the unshakable hope. They’re not random. They’re sacred. Trust them. Trust yourself. You’re going to do more than just survive… you’re going to rise. You’re going to become everything you once prayed someone would see in you. Keep going, baby girl. Your purpose is louder than the pain.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m committed to walking in my truth unapologetically, wholeheartedly, and without permission. My life is no longer up for debate. I’ve spent too many seasons shrinking, second-guessing, or waiting for others to see the vision before I gave myself permission to pursue it. That time is over.

I believe in the power of living a purpose-led life, even if no one claps, even if no one understands. I’m devoted to becoming the version of me that’s rooted in alignment, not approval. That’s not just a belief, it’s a lifelong project. To show up fully in who I am, to honor the vision God placed in me, and to trust it even when it feels lonely or unclear.

I know the path isn’t always easy. But I also know this: the calling doesn’t go away just because it’s inconvenient. I am building a life that reflects who I truly am, not who the world told me I needed to be. And I’ll keep showing up for that life, no matter how long it takes. Because peace lives in authenticity. And I refuse to abandon myself ever again.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I understand that nothing you need to become the best version of yourself exists outside of you. It’s already within you, always has been.

We spend so much time searching for answers, approval, validation, and direction in the external world, thinking that something or someone will finally make us whole. But the truth is, everything we’re looking for is already rooted in us. The wisdom, the strength, the clarity, the resilience, it’s all there. Sometimes buried, sometimes bruised, but never gone.

What often clouds that truth are the layers life places on us: trauma, pain, expectations, and experiences that make us question our worth or identity. But underneath all of that is the original version of you: powerful, capable, and enough.

I’ve learned that healing isn’t about becoming someone new; it’s about coming home to yourself. And once you realize that, you stop seeking permission to grow and start reclaiming what was always yours.

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