We recently connected with Ariel Hoffman and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ariel, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
Good question. I believe my resilience has developed gradually over time. It’s been shaped by each setback, challenge, and disappointment I’ve faced. The key lesson I’ve learned about resilience is that it’s a skill we can improve. With every setback, the recovery time shortens, allowing us to let go of things more quickly and identify the necessary steps to bounce back.
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?
Sure!
My methods for achieving optimal health have emerged from my own battles with disordered eating and an unhealthy relationship with food and exercise. I’ve been through life-changing injuries and two c-sections, and these experiences taught me to truly listen to my body. I learned to honor my hunger cues instead of suppressing them and to move away from the damaging belief that excessive exercise (minimum of 2 hours/ day) was necessary to maintain a healthy weight.
As I delved deeper into nutrition and the science behind it, I began to appreciate the intricate systems within our bodies. When we listen to our bodies and treat them with respect, we feel our best. And yes, our physical appearance naturally improves as a reflection of that care. When we don’t, our body reacts in ways that are deeply uncomfortable and painful, including disease and injuries.
If you’re feeling at a loss after trying everything to lose weight or get healthy, I want you to know you’re not alone. My coaching programs are all about relearning how to listen to your body. Understanding proper nutrition, how foods affect your energy, and responding to your body’s cues are the keys to creating lasting, healthy habits. This approach frees you from the cycle of endless dieting and failed exercise programs.
When someone signs on to one of my programs, they get a coach who understands the balance between putting in the work and being kind to oneself along the way without judgment.I believe that by shifting your focus to how you want to feel—today, tomorrow, and in the future—you can sustain a healthy lifestyle with joy, including eating the things you enjoy and participating in the activities you enjoy most.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Number One: Work Ethic
Growing up as a competitive figure skater and ballet dancer instilled a strong work ethic in me. I dedicated countless hours to practice and refinement, whether on the ice, on stage, or in school. My passion for these activities fueled my desire to work hard, teaching me that success isn’t handed to you; it’s earned through effort and dedication. This work ethic has been the foundation of my career as a health coach and trainer, ensuring that I remain committed even when motivation is low.
Number Two: Perseverance
The rigorous training and frequent setbacks, including career-altering injuries, taught me the importance of perseverance. Pushing through difficulties and pain made me realize that enduring tough times makes you stronger. Overcoming these challenges often leads to achieving more than you thought possible. This resilience has been vital in my journey, allowing me to face and conquer obstacles in sports, my personal life and my professional life.
Number Three: Desire to Learn
Constantly mastering new skills and techniques in skating and dancing cultivated my passion for learning. Staying curious and understanding the “why” and “how” behind everything keeps me motivated. I’ve learned that striving for perfection is less important than the continuous pursuit of knowledge. In my career, staying updated with new science in fitness and nutrition helps me provide quality information and guide others through the conflicting advice on health and wellness so they too, can achieve a healthy mind and body they never thought possible. Not only that, the more you know, the more you can make healthy decisions based on informed choices. This is absolute key in changing one’s mindset around food and exercise.
Teaching people how to live happily and healthily lights me up, and as mentioned earlier, my methods stem from my own recovery from a detrimental relationship with food and overtraining, which led to complete burnout. By learning the science behind how food and exercise affect the body and applying this knowledge to my personal experiences—including overcoming obstacles and becoming a mother twice via c-section—I discovered how to love and respect my body. This journey to optimum health inspires me to share my knowledge and help others achieve the same balance and well-being.
My advice is this:
Advice:
1. Build Strong Habits: Establish a disciplined routine that prioritizes consistent effort. Consistency instills work ethic, ultimately leading to the results you seek.
2. Perseverance: When challenges come up, that is not the time to pull back or to stop. I strongly believe that’s the time when staying consistent with new habits is key! Embrace the challenges and view setbacks as opportunities to build strength and resilience by seeing what you can do.
3.Desire to Learn: Remain curious and proactive in seeking new knowledge to stay adaptable and informed and always ask questions and advocate for yourself especially when it comes to your body!
Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?
The biggest challenge I’m facing right now is balancing my business goals with the demands of being a mother of two. Since having my second baby, I’ve felt like my time and mental capacity have diminished significantly. It’s as if my brain has shrunk, much like Alice in Wonderland when she drinks the potion that makes her shrink. After c-section number two, I also feel disconnected from my body, especially my core, which feels foreign to me. At times, I don’t recognize myself.
However, I’m following the same method I created that has helped hundreds of women/mothers regain their health, their physical strength and their confidence, and it’s working! My diastasis recti is healing, and I’m slowly getting back to my pre-pregnancy state. I know that being patient and allowing my body to do “it’s thing” will make me a better coach for others experiencing similar struggles.
To all the busy women and mothers out there feeling overwhelmed and disconnected, reach out to me and share your struggles. I promise to listen, to meet you where you are without judgement and help guide you to the next step that is right for you. Lastly, trust in your own process, your own body as it is a divine and perfect system, and know that you’re not alone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wellxariel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellxarielhoffman/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariel-hoffman-59229860/
- Other: https://app.arketa.co/arielhoffman
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