Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Clough

Hi Anna, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?

I developed a passion for fitness when I got into the gym world as a young soccer player. After I stopped playing, I became really focused on lifting weights and started paying more attention to my diet, which is something many young women begin to explore. Struggling with body image, my relationship with food, and health behavior changes, I became determined to understand what I was doing wrong. Despite my dedication to fitness, it felt like my mental and physical health were deteriorating. This is a common experience for many women starting a health and fitness journey. After immersing myself in education and making significant progress in my own transformation, I realized my passion for helping others. This led me to start my business, Strong and Healthy. To date, we’ve transformed the lives of over 250 women. Our mission is to help women lose body fat, build strength, and address body image and food issues while improving health behaviors in a sustainable and balanced way. We achieve remarkable results for our clients without compromising their long-term physical and mental well-being.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

The journey of entrepreneurship has definitely not been smooth! I believe that any entrepreneurial path is a constant test of oneself. Every day presents new challenges, both from the external world and, perhaps more intensely, from within. It pushes you to elevate your mind and body continually. You need to be the best version of yourself for your business to thrive. If you start slacking or developing bad habits, it often shows up in your business in ways that might not be immediately obvious.

My biggest struggles have involved overcoming self-sabotage—dealing with fears of failure, criticism, rejection, doubts, and productivity issues. These are common hurdles for many small business owners. One significant challenge is learning to manage yourself when you no longer have external directions or accountability. However, once you navigate these obstacles and find what works for you, that’s when things really start to click, and often, that’s when your business begins to take off.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Strong and Healthy?

My business, Strong and Healthy, offers personalized 1-on-1 fitness and nutrition coaching both online and in-person in Loudoun County, Virginia. We believe that a happier world starts with healthier women, and we are committed to helping women become their strongest selves. What sets us apart is our fully personalized coaching approach. We take pride in building deep connections with each client to truly understand their needs and transform their lives.

Just last week, one of our clients celebrated a significant milestone—losing 30 pounds! While this achievement was exciting, she shared that the real highlight was how much better she feels in terms of energy, confidence, and newfound strength. This feedback encapsulates what we’re all about. We’re dedicated to helping busy women master weight training and nutrition to achieve lasting results and maintain them.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.

Risk-taking is inherent in any entrepreneurial journey. For me, this meant stepping away from a “safe path” to chase my dreams, facing potential criticism, and investing my own money into my business because I believed in myself. It’s crucial to manage risk without cornering yourself completely. While some advocate for going “all in” and having no backup plan to make your dreams work, my experience has shown that this approach can quickly destabilize your nervous system and hinder your ability to show up as your best self, which can negatively impact your business.

For me, it’s important that my subconscious mind feels “safe” in my pursuits. Everyone has their own approach, but this has proven to be true for me. Taking calculated risks can indeed propel massive growth, but it’s essential to avoid going overboard and losing balance in the process.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://strongandheallthy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annaclough/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anna.clough.9862/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@annaclough1