Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Michelle Tagliamonte, Founder of LEAN and Vital Health Coaching, located in Centerville, OH, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Motivated to get well and avoid a family legacy of chronic disease, I began my journey to wellness in 2001 and quickly became focused on learning as much as possible about the relationship between nutrition and disease. As we made simple health changes, our health picture quickly and dramatically changed for the better. This led me to embark on a mission to help as many people as possible take control of their health with whole food nutrition and healthy lifestyle changes. Along my journey, I became a Certified Health Coach with the Dr. Sears Wellness Institute, as well as a Certified Women's Health Instructor and Food Over Medicine Instructor with Wellness Forum Health.
What I see so much of is women running on the hamster wheel of life, pouring into their careers and families, and even aging parents, and leaving nothing for themselves in the way of self-care. Many are exhausted, feeling foggy, and even facing a scary diagnosis. There is so much confusing info out there about how to truly create a sustainable pattern of healthy living that will make a long-term difference. Many times, simple but proven methods can make a huge difference, and I love to help women reclaim their health with food instead of medicine. I am passionate about helping other women build a legacy of health and create options for themselves and their families so they can experience a life of abundance and fulfillment.
Tell us about yourself
I am a wife of 29 years to an amazingly supportive husband and mom to two now-grown daughters, 25 and 22. I started in the wellness profession as a hobby, really. I had left Corporate America when my girls were little in search of more life balance, as my husband traveled for a living. I had been working a very busy corporate job, and this left us with a very hectic life that we knew we did not want. Being home and beginning to learn how we could use food to build our health back up (or continue to let it tear us down) was very empowering, and I began to feel a moral and ethical obligation to share what I was learning with others. So many around me were (and still are) experiencing health challenges and diagnoses that can be simply avoided with the right diet and lifestyle, but they just don't even know where to begin. I wake up every day with passion and purpose to make a difference by sharing what I have learned over the years and am still learning. Our health is our greatest gift, and I am ever grateful to have mine, so I want everyone to experience it too!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I have aligned myself with a global wellness company and have been able to help hundreds of men and women make positive changes in their health, including recovery from IBS and colitis, enduring cancer treatment with better outcomes, and managing and reversing type 2 diabetes. It is so gratifying to learn that what I am teaching and leading people to do for themselves can make such a huge difference for them.
I recently launched a free three-day Pantry Detox challenge to identify and eliminate toxic ingredients that many of us have in our diets that are wreaking havoc on our health. This can be a great first step. Anyone interested in checking that out can enroll at https://leanandvital.com/webinar-registration.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Knowing that there will be failures and false starts, and deciding to learn from them and not allow them to stop me. And as a health coach and wellness educator, it is watching people self-sabotage by not believing in themselves that they can take power to live a healthy life. So many people want to be fit, healthy, and full of energy and vitality, yet they ignore their own power. Unfortunately, health is not a journey of instant gratification. It is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires daily focus, belief, and determination. But it is worth it!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
I decided a long time ago to take the advice of a mentor: "A setback is a setup for a comeback." This applies to our business life as well as our health journey. Making progress, growing and learning, and getting better are my goals and the goals I want my clients to embrace. Perfection is impossible and creates procrastination and even complacency. Serving others with love is the best success.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I'd love to invite you to grab my free tool with six tips for a healthier pantry or even join me for my free three-day Pantry Detox Challenge. Or connect with me on Instagram! The best place to go is direct.me/michelletagliamonte to find the links. I love connecting with new people!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.leanandvital.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.tagliamonte/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelletagliamonte/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelletagliamonte/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.
