Meet Allison Wells

We recently connected with Allison Wells and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Allison, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
My purpose was always something that I could sense, but couldn’t quite put my finger on. Over time, I fit all the pieces together, like a jigsaw puzzle. By creating a career out of my interests and my passions, my purpose eventually came to the surface.

When I was a little girl and people would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would respond “Everything!”. There were so many careers that excited me. I was interested in being everything from a professional soccer player, to a psychologist, to a teacher, to an actor. I truly didn’t know how to choose!

I grew up playing competitive soccer and loving cooking healthy recipes. I also loved being a sounding board for my friends, and helping them find solutions to their problems. In college, I studied Journalism and Sociology, graduating with a BS in Broadcast TV News and a minor in Ethnic Studies.

I moved to LA right after college and started studying to be a personal trainer, which I figured I could do while learning more about TV production and the entertainment industry. I found myself working for a producer in movie and TV development, reading scripts and writing coverage, while simultaneously starting my personal training career. So yeah, I was still kind of all over the place, but it all thrilled me!

After a couple years, I realized I wanted to dive deeper into the world of wellness. So, I quit my job in development and started working on my Nutrition & Wellness Consulting certification. I figured it would give me a leg up on other personal trainers (of which there are SO many in LA), with a specialization in nutrition. It really did! All of a sudden, I found myself being offered opportunities that had been out of reach before. I became the in-house nutritionist for an elite private gym, I was asked to consult on infomercials for fitness products, I started teaching nutrition courses to kids, I hosted live cooking classes, and more.

What I started to realize, is that there is so much ever-changing information out there about the “best”, “most effective”, and “healthiest” products, workout, diets, etc., that it’s extremely confusing! I wanted be an informed and experienced voice to clarify some of that information for my clients and others, and help individuals figure out what’s best for THEIR body. That felt like my purpose.

I started hosting Wellness Seminars, and Corporate Wellness Programs to be able to reach more people at one time. I have been invited onto the local news a number of times as a Health & Wellness expert, continuing to expanding my platform.

Over the years, I’ve continued to study mindfulness, meditation, and most recently earned a certification in Sleep, Stress Management, and Recovery Coaching. Not only do I find these topics fascinating on a personal level, but I have been able to weave them into my work with my clients. Being able to do something that excites and fulfills me, and also provides me with tools to help my clients, reinforces to me that this is my purpose.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a Holistic Health Coach. I work with individuals and groups to help them achieve their health and wellness goals. Holistic health means looking at the whole picture, not just one aspect of a person’s health. The more I learn about an individual, the more I can tailor a program that is going to be sustainable for their particular needs.

Recently, I’ve been really excited about hosting Corporate Wellness programs and challenges. It’s fun to teach larger groups of people, and see how making small, consistent changes can positively impact their work environment, productivity, and quality of life. I find my Sleep, Stress Management, and Recovery Coaching certification to be particularly useful in this setting.

I also work with a team of practitioners for Corporate Wellness programs, each of us specializing in a different area of health. We are launching a 6-week “Beat the Resolution Rush Challenge”, encouraging people to get a jumpstart on their New Years Resolutions. The program will include virtual classes on exercise, nutrition, mindfulness, sleep, and mental health, plus a weekly newsletter, tracking app, educational videos, and more! The program is running from Nov. 6- Dec 15, and is open to the public!

The most rewarding thing about my job is connecting with people. I don’t believe in a “one size fits all” program. Everyone has their own unique story, their own personal goals and challenges, and there is a specific strategy for them to achieve those goals. I aim to help people find the path that best serves their body, their lifestyle, and their goals.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Resilience- I learned early on that having your own business is not for the faint of heart. Weathering the ebbs and flows, and uncertainty of business can be stressful, especially when you’re first starting out. I was grateful that both of my parents had their own businesses, so they ensured me that this was just part of the process. Over time, I’ve learned to have faith in the bigger picture. Knowing that if business is slow, there is something else for me to focus on, like taking more classes or working on marketing. When it’s insanely busy, I trust that I’m never given more than I can handle. I will always continue on my path, and because I know it is my purpose.

Listening to my clients- When I was in my early 20’s and just starting out as a personal trainer, I felt like I had to prove something to my clients. As I matured and gained experience, I realized that it is really about me listening to my clients and learning from them. They are teaching me what they can handle, what their boundaries are, and how I can best serve them. It is my job is to honor that, while pushing them just slightly further than they would push themselves.
Additionally, wellness isn’t just about exercise and food, it’s about someone’s entire picture of health and their lifestyle. At the end of the day, most people just want to be heard and validated. If I can offer a service that makes someone feel understood, and create a program to support them, I’ve done my job.

Keep learning- I used to think I knew it all. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve humbled. Understanding that there is always so much more to learn, especially with all the new research around health and wellness. The more classes I take, articles I read, recipes I try, the deeper I can understand my own health and learn how to implement techniques to help my clients.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
Everyone is an “expert” and imposter syndrome.

The saturation of the health and wellness space on social media has really made it difficult to stand out. There are many people claiming to be an “expert” with hundreds of thousands of followers, who may or may not have any experience. Then, there are those of us who have legitimately been working our whole life in the field, but because we don’t have as many followers, we are overlooked for opportunities that should be based on expertise, not followers and likes.

Ironically, sometimes this makes me feel as though I have imposter syndrome. As though my social media reach has to validate my years of hands-on experience and continued education. This is when I have to give myself a reality check! I focus on shifting my perspective, reminding myself of everything I have accomplished, and trusting that everything will shake out exactly as it’s supposed to. The opportunities that are truly aligned with my purpose will find me, and I will never stop hustling to create my own opportunities.

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Image Credits
Billye Donya Photography

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