We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ondrea Spearman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ondrea below.
Ondrea , so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Great question. This took a lot of inner work, and I mean A LOT. And if I can be completely transparent, I am still working on it. Imposter syndrome comes from not feeling confident in your abilities. Before I became a women’s fitness coach I was in a corporate 9-5 where I experienced crippling anxiety about 90% of my days in the office. It had nothing to do with the people that worked there but everything to do with feeling this sense of not belonging. Any time someone would talk to me, especially my boss, I would have to hold the back of my neck because it would tense up as a manifestation of my anxiety. At the time I didn’t know why this was happening to me or how to explain what was goin on, but now I do.
I recently heard this quote from Ed Mylett, an author and public speaker, and he said “Confidence comes from intent, not abilities.” This couldn’t be more true and that quote kind of brought everything full circle for me. I wasn’t anxious at that 9-5 corporate office because of my boss or the environment or even because I was not fully capable of the job. I was anxious because my inner self was trying to tell that I was not supposed to be at that job and I needed to listen to how I felt.
When it comes to imposter syndrome, I recognize there will always be people that have more experience than me, that may be smarter than me in some areas, or that audiences can relate to another level…but also I know that if my INTENT is to help women learn how to lead a healthier life and think about how they see themselves in a more positive light then that is really all that matters. Part of my inner work, that is a continuous journey, includes me telling myself everyday that since I am now serving my purpose I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be doing at any given moment and will ALWAYS belong.
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?
So my name is Ondrea Spearman and I am a certified personal trainer (CPT) and certified nutrition coach (CNC) through the National Academy of Sports and Medicine (NASM). My biggest passion in life is to encourage women to become the best version of themselves inside and out! I graduated from The University of Texas at Dallas with a Bachelor’s degree in Emerging Media and Communications and from Fort Hays State University with an MBA with an emphasis in Digital Marketing In 2020, I left a corporate office job in order to pursue a career that was more fulfilling. Since then, I have never felt more purpose in my life than supporting women all over the nation through their health and wellness goals.
I have an online 8 week health and wellness coaching program where I have helped change hundreds of lives. My 8-week online “Heal Your Habits” program is a transformative journey designed exclusively for women ready to embrace holistic wellness and reclaim their strength. Our tailored workouts, personalized nutrition guidelines, daily accountability texts, and empowering mindset training are designed to transform your well-being. Women would be joining a supportive community, prioritizing their health, and most of all make those 8 weeks a catalyst for lifelong change.
I strongly believe that everyone should do EXACTLY what they want to do in this life. Whatever goal you have just know that YOU CAN achieve it. All it takes is hard work, consistency, and a positive mindset. I go hard everyday for my clients because I know they are going just as hard for me. Together we will win and stay confident!
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?
In reflecting on my journey as a women’s fat loss and mindset coach, three qualities that have been profoundly impactful are patience, empathy, and consistency. These traits have not only shaped my approach to coaching but have also contributed significantly to my success in guiding women towards their health and wellness goals.
One of the most crucial qualities I’ve developed is patience. And you NEED that on any journey. Progress in fat loss and mindset transformation often takes time and persistence. Patience allows me to understand that change doesn’t happen overnight and to support my clients through their ups and downs without losing sight of their long-term goals. My advice to those beginning their journey is to embrace patience wholeheartedly. Understand that results may not come immediately, but with consistent effort and dedication, they will manifest over time.
As far as empathy goes, it truly lies at the core of me and in turn, effective coaching. Being able to truly understand and empathize with my clients’ struggles, challenges, and triumphs allows me to provide genuine support and guidance. My advice for those embarking on their coaching journey is to prioritize empathy. Take the time to listen actively, put yourself in your clients’ shoes, and tailor your approach to meet their unique needs and circumstances. Building authentic connections based on empathy develops trust and creates a supportive environment for growth and transformation.
And consistency is KEY not only in achieving results but also in building trust and credibility as a coach.Anything that I have accomplished for myself and my clients has been through consistency. Consistently showing up for my clients, delivering value, and staying true to my principles has been instrumental in building a strong reputation and client base. To aspiring coaches, I emphasize the importance of consistency in both actions and message. Stay committed to your goals, continuously refine your skills and knowledge, and show up consistently for your clients. Consistency builds momentum and establishes you as a reliable and trustworthy guide on their own journey to health and wellness.
Throughout my journey, I’ve remained focused on improving myself so that I could present my best self to the world and, in turn, impact women in a more purposeful and genuine way. My advice to fellow coaches and individuals embarking on their own paths is to embrace patience, empathy, and consistency as guiding principles. I promise that with these qualities, you can not only achieve success in your endeavors but also make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
I absolutely love this question!! One book that has played a pivotal role in my personal and professional development is “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz. It was one of the first self development books I read early on and to be able to live by these rules and deeply understand them has been life changing. The best way to talk about how it’s helped is really just to go through a couple of the agreements he lists and kind of talk about them.
The first one is to “Be Impeccable with Your Word.” This agreement emphasizes the importance of integrity in our communication. Being impeccable with our word means speaking with truth and kindness, avoiding gossip and negativity, and honoring our commitments. We talked about confidence earlier and one of the main ways to build confidence is to build self trust by keeping your word to yourself. Understanding the power of our words to create or destroy, this agreement teaches us to use language in a way that uplifts and just really empowers ourselves and others.
Another one is “Don’t Take Anything Personally.” Ruiz reminds me that what others say and do is a reflection of their own reality, not mines. By not taking things personally, I can truly free myself from the burden of unnecessary suffering caused by the opinions and actions of others. For me, it’s not about not caring what other people think about me, but mores understanding that whatever they perceive me to be is their truth and not mines. I helped me gain a sense of detachment and inner peace, allowing me to navigate life’s challenges, which have been crazy in my short life, with grace and resilience.
There’s 2 more but I would really encourage everyone to read this book. It made life make a lot more sense to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: trainwithondrea.com
- Instagram: @ondreafitspo
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5YX658oQJ_mcIKv8_NL2pQ
- Other: TikTok: @ondreafitspo
