We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Angela Longo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Angela below.
Angela, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.
At first, my health coaching business was supposed to be a side hustle. I attended IIN in 2016 with the intention of continuing to strengthen my own health and well-being but quickly realized that I would be doing a disservice to other women like me if I did not pursue it as a business in some way big or small. So, after I graduated in 2017, I started my business- WITHIN-which is an acronym standing for Wellness Inspiration Total Health Integrative Nutrition. I began taking clients on my lunch hour via telephone, not even zoom at the time. They were mostly local, so I would meet with them in person for some sessions. It was going really well until I was offered a higher corporate position at a different company and, with this move and promotion, I was unable to see clients on the side anymore without taking too much time away from my family (husband, 3 kids, 2 dogs). This was in early 2019. The salary was great but the work was not rewarding at all. I missed my wellness business. When Covid hit in 2020, I received numerous calls from former client referrals asking if I was still offering my wellness program. It was at this time that my husband encouraged me to take the leap of faith, leave my corporate career and my lucrative salary and take WITHIN full-time, which I did. Four years later, it is now WITHIN Health, Inc. and it has been the best decision I ever made. It was and still is not easy, but I’m doing what I love and helping so many women in the process. It is a different kind of success when you are living your purpose! The advice that I can give a young professional considering starting their own practice is to go for it and give it everything you got. Pour your heart and soul into it, and do not listen to the naysayers. Everyone told me that I would never make any money being a health coach and that they were a dime a dozen these days. I said to myself, they are not me, and I have so much to offer. I never stopped believing in myself. So, believe, and go for it!
Angela, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am a dedicated holistic health and mindset coach, specializing in guiding women through the challenges of hypothyroidism and thyroidectomy towards vibrant health and vitality. My journey into this transformative field was sparked by a deeply personal experience—my own battle with thyroid cancer over two decades ago. As a young mother balancing the demands of life, the diagnosis of thyroid cancer shook me to my core. Following a full thyroidectomy, I found myself grappling with a myriad of debilitating symptoms—lethargy, weight fluctuations, hair loss, and overwhelming feelings of despair. Despite assurances from the medical community, I discovered that true healing extended beyond conventional treatments.
Driven by a relentless pursuit of wellness, I immersed myself in research and holistic modalities, seeking to uncover the missing pieces of my health puzzle. This quest led me to the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) and introduced me to the transformative power of mindset work through the teachings of esteemed mentor Bob Proctor.
Through extensive training in Proctor Gallagher’s Thinking Into Results program, I unlocked the profound connection between mindset and well-being. Realizing that true transformation begins within the mind, I became passionate about integrating mindset coaching with holistic health practices.
Today, I am honored to offer a comprehensive approach that addresses the physical, emotional, and mental aspects of wellness. My mission is to empower women to reclaim their health, vitality, and joy, despite the challenges posed by hypothyroidism and thyroidectomy.
What distinguishes my approach is the unwavering emphasis on mindset. While dietary and lifestyle interventions are pivotal, I firmly believe that lasting change begins with transforming our thoughts and beliefs. By guiding my clients through this inner journey, I equip them with the tools to overcome obstacles, rewrite limiting beliefs, and cultivate a mindset of resilience and empowerment.
I am profoundly proud of the transformations I’ve witnessed in my clients—seeing them emerge from the shadows of illness to embrace vibrant health and vitality fuels my passion and dedication to this work. For anyone navigating the complexities of hypothyroidism or thyroidectomy, I extend a warm invitation to embark on this transformative journey together, knowing that with compassionate guidance and unwavering support, healing and wellness are within reach.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Before my diagnosis of thyroid cancer and the subsequent removal of my thyroid, I naively believed that once the organ was gone, I could put the matter to rest. However, I quickly discovered the fallacy in this assumption. Even without a thyroid, caring for my thyroid health remained essential. I learned that thyroid health is intricately connected to various organs and systems in the body. Surprisingly, thyroid health begins in the pituitary gland in your brain, and significant portions of thyroid hormone conversion occur outside of the thyroid gland itself—60% in the liver, 20% in the brain, and the remainder distributed among vital organs such as the brain, heart, muscles, and skin. So, although I no longer had a functioning thyroid gland, I was taking thyroid hormone supplementation, and my body needs to convert that medication just like it would if my thyroid was producing the hormones.
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Realizing the importance of maintaining overall wellness to support this intricate process was a crucial lesson I had to learn and something everyone without a thyroid needs to know. Despite the absence of this gland, ensuring the optimal functioning of other bodily systems is paramount. This realization was not imparted to me by medical professionals; it was gleaned through my own journey towards wellness.
Gratefully, this newfound understanding has become a cornerstone of my wellness journey. I now tirelessly strive to share this vital insight with other women who have undergone thyroidectomies. By educating and empowering them to prioritize holistic wellness, I hope to guide them towards thriving despite the challenges they face.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
Training, continued education and knowledge are essential for any business. However, they are not enough. To be successful in your field, you need to always lead with love and have true and unwaivering passion for what you do. You need to detatch yourself from the outcome, let go of your ego, and keep your focus on your higher goals. It is very easy to let disappointments and failures get you down, but you must see them as stepping stones and growth opportunities and just keep going no matter what. It is that relentless determination that will lead you to success in your field and in your life!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.withinhealth.net
- Instagram: withinhealth1
- Facebook: withinhealth1
- Other: Join my FREE 5 day thyroid reset: https://www.fivedaythyroidreset.com/ Getting started call: https://www.withinhealth.net/calendar