Meet Monica Radu

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Monica Radu. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Monica, appreciate you sitting with us today. Maybe we can start with a topic that we care deeply about because it’s something we’ve found really sets folks apart and can make all the difference in whether someone reaches their goals. Self discipline seems to have an outsized impact on how someone’s life plays out and so we’d love to hear about how you developed yours?

For most of my life, I didn’t see myself as a disciplined person. I would dive into habits to eat better, exercise more, and take care of myself, but these efforts rarely lasted and I often blamed my lack of discipline for this.

That changed when I started developing a more informed and balanced approach to self-care, understanding what I needed and WHY. Shifting my mindset to embrace progress over perfection—rather than trying to overhaul everything overnight—was key. A significant turning point for me was my cancer diagnosis at the age of 20. Hearing those words was a wake-up call, making me realize how many unsustainable approaches I had previously tried. It wasn’t a lack of discipline causing my setbacks, it was the unsustainable methods themselves.

As I began to care for myself with a new-found love and compassion, my sense of discipline evolved. Discipline rooted in shame and guilt is often fleeting, but when it comes from a place of genuine self-care, it becomes much more sustainable. With this perspective, maintaining habits and routines didn’t feel as challenging. I was able to stay consistent with what mattered most, feeling rewarded by how it positively impacted my body and life. The momentum I built now feels unstoppable.

My self-discipline now comes from a forward-thinking mindset. I regularly ask myself, “What will future me thank me for?” or “How can I handle this situation in a way that future me will appreciate?” This helps me move beyond immediate comfort and focus on long-term benefits.

I also pay attention to my internal dialogue. When I feel resistance or stress, I notice it’s partly because I am seeing task/habit and thinking I ‘HAVE’ to do it. I reframe this into why I ‘WANT’ to do it instead. For example, even if I don’t always feel like doing a workout, I remind myself of the benefits—like increased energy, improved mood, and how strong I feel when I push myself to do hard things. This shift in perspective makes it easier to stay disciplined.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’ve been in the health and fitness space for the past 8 years as a personal trainer and holistic nutritionist. My passion for helping women discover how good they can feel in their bodies stems from my own challenging journey. I strive to be the supportive guide I wished I had during my struggles with food, exercise, and overall health.

For years, I battled with feeling uncomfortable in my own skin and resented exercise. Despite trying numerous restrictive diets and quick fixes, I only felt worse, convinced there was something inherently wrong with me.

It wasn’t until my cancer diagnosis that I recognized the need for a fundamental shift in how I approached my health. This pushed me to reassess my relationship with food and exercise, setting me on a path of genuine transformation.

I am deeply committed to a holistic approach, which is why my practice is guided by my 5 Pillars of Wellness: Nutrition, Movement, Circadian Health, Hormonal Balance, and Nervous System Regulation. By addressing all these facets, I help women become deeply nourished, gain confidence & peace in their bodies, and experience vibrant energy. Most importantly, we work together to create habits that are sustainable and aligned with their lives and unique needs.

Through this comprehensive approach, woman gain a deeper understanding of how to care for themselves, leading to greater peace and vitality in their everyday lives.

I offer 1-on-1 holistic health and nutrition coaching for women who are seeking personalized support and profound transformation in their health journey. I also provide ready-made and custom meal plans designed to build lasting and supportive nutrition habits. In addition to that, I’m deeply passionate about working on the training floor as a personal trainer, where I love seeing women uncover their strength and realize what they’re capable of. Witnessing their journey and celebrating their progress is one of the most fulfilling parts of my work!

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?

1. Understanding What’s Driving Behaviour: It’s easy to blame a lack of motivation or discipline when you struggle with consistency or feel like you’re always “falling off the wagon.” What I’ve come to see is that there’s often more to it. Stress, particularly for women, is a major driver and can manifest in various, often unnoticed, forms like poor nourishment, lack of natural light, or dysregulated blood sugar. By better supporting our bodies and reducing stress through improved nourishment, rest, and nervous system regulation techniques, adopting healthier habits and making choices aligned with our goals becomes much easier.

2. Strength Training: I used to view exercise solely as a means to burn calories, which made it a chore. It wasn’t until I shifted my focus to building strength and discovering what my body could do that I found consistency. Strength training taught me resilience and showed me my capabilities beyond physical appearance. It has had a powerful impact on both my body and mind. I began with strength training twice a week, focusing on proper form and gradually building confidence. As a coach, I see how valuable it is for clients to work with someone to build a solid foundation. Investing in this kind of support ensures you lay a solid foundation of techniques and habits that will benefit you for life. Strength training is more than just a workout; it’s a long-term investment in your overall health and happiness.

3. Nourishing Yourself in Ways You Truly Enjoy: While understanding your nutritional needs is important, finding ways to meet those needs in a way that you enjoy is equally crucial to set you up for a sustainable approach. Many people associate healthy eating with restrictive and bland diets, but a diverse diet rich in whole foods can be incredibly satisfying. When I realized that I could eat delicious, satisfying meals that also met my body’s needs, I never felt like I was on a diet again. And this doesn’t mean you have to skip meals out or stress over food at social events. It’s about focusing on making better choices most of the time that will create the biggest difference!

How would you describe your ideal client?

My ideal client is a woman in her 30s or 40s who is seeking a meaningful lifestyle change rather than a quick fix. She is committed to progress over perfection and is willing to be patient as she builds a foundation of self-care that will serve her well into the future. She wants to regain her energy, learn how to nourish her body effectively, build strength, and establish sustainable habits that support hormone balance and healthy weight loss. Valuing a holistic approach, she is ready to make long-term changes that enhance her overall well-being and align with her unique needs and goals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.monicaraducoaching.com
• Instagram: monica.raduu