We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jaime Duggan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jaime below.

Jaime, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Living a healthy lifestyle has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up in what you’d call a “granola house” – organic food, homegrown vegetables, and fresh eggs from our backyard chickens were just part of everyday life. My mom had a vegetable garden, my parents played racquetball and tennis, and living healthily wasn’t a choice; it was just our norm.

But ironically, I wasn’t an athletic child. Quite the opposite, actually – I hated exercise so much that I managed to get excused from high school PE entirely! My lack of interest in fitness carried into early adulthood, but everything changed when my first son was born.

As I was figuring out what job to pursue while balancing motherhood, I came up with what felt like a good idea at the time: becoming a Personal Trainer. The logic was simple – it would help me stay in shape, hold myself accountable, and avoid falling into the stereotypical “mom bod.” With only a high school education and experience from odd jobs and nannying, this felt like a step in the right direction.

For six years, I worked as a Personal Trainer, meeting clients for an hour or two each week, helping them get their workouts in. But as time went on, something began to gnaw at me. While I could help them exercise during those few hours, I realized it wasn’t enough to create real, lasting change in their lives. I started to see a pattern: most of their challenges had less to do with fitness and more to do with the other areas of their lives – nutrition, habits, mindset, stress, and overall lifestyle choices.

By this time, I’d become fascinated with these other factors that influence health and wellness. I dove deep into learning about nutrition and the impact of daily habits. And yet, I felt stuck. I was only helping my clients with a tiny fraction of what they truly needed to achieve long-term health. I began to feel almost guilty, knowing that I wasn’t equipping them with the tools and support to make a genuine transformation. That’s when the idea first started to take root: I wanted to help people improve their overall health and wellness, not just their fitness.

For years, the idea sat in the back of my mind. I didn’t know where to start or how to take action. Then, in 2020, the pandemic hit, and everything changed. Like many others, I had to pivot quickly. My training clients couldn’t meet me at the gym anymore, so we moved our sessions outside. Around the same time, I discovered a nutrition and health coaching certification program. It felt like the missing piece, so I dove in, completed the certification, and even built a website – although, at the time, I had no clue what I was doing or what it truly meant to be a coach.

The real turning point came in 2022. I was listening to a podcast when I heard Dean Graziosi, a partner of Tony Robbins, talk about a free challenge to help people create an offer and start a business. Something about it struck a chord with me, so I signed up. That virtual event was the spark I needed to finally bring my vision to life.

From that moment, my business began to take shape. I realized that I could offer a unique, holistic approach to health and wellness – something that addressed not just fitness but eight interconnected pillars of well-being. My method is about looking at the person as a whole: their abilities, authentic health goals, lifestyle, mindset, beliefs, and more.

What gets me most excited is that this approach empowers people to break free from the cycle of yo-yo dieting and create sustainable, healthy lifestyles. It’s not about quick fixes or one-size-fits-all solutions. It’s about helping my clients embody the healthiest version of themselves – not just for today, but for the long term.

Looking back, I see that my journey – from growing up in a health-conscious home to struggling to find my path, to finally building a business rooted in my passion – has all been part of a bigger purpose. And I couldn’t be more grateful to be living it.

Jaime, 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 got into the health and wellness industry by following my heart and trusting myself, even when the path wasn’t entirely clear. For me, this business was a natural progression of my own personal growth and passion. It wasn’t just about building a career—it was about living a life that aligned with my values and helping others do the same.

I still offer 1:1 personal training, wellness coaching, and health and nutrition guidance, all personalized to meet my clients’ unique needs. But what I do is so much more than just giving people a workout or a meal plan. I solve the problem of inconsistency. I help people break free from seeing healthy habits as a chore and shift their mindset to viewing them as a choice—a gift they’re giving to themselves. It’s about cultivating a positive relationship with health, building follow-through, and fostering true adherence to lasting change.

What sets me apart is my whole-body, whole-life approach. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions or quick fixes. Instead, I tailor plans that are designed for longevity and long-term health. My focus is on helping people build a lifestyle that supports them not just now but for the rest of their lives.

One of the things I’m most proud of is my book, Drama-Free Health. It’s a no-nonsense guide to creating your healthiest lifestyle without all the overwhelm, gimmicks, and fads. The book reflects my philosophy—health doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s about taking small, consistent steps that add up to big results over time.

But what truly defines me isn’t just my work. I’m a mom, a wife, and an introvert. I’m also a human being with a history of low self-esteem and confidence, someone who once doubted her own potential. I’ve broken barriers I never thought I could, and I’ve created a life that I’m genuinely proud of. Through this journey, I’m showing my kids what’s possible when you chase your dreams, work hard, and never stop learning, growing, and taking chances.

That’s what Empowered Health is all about—helping people take agency and ownership over their health and their lives. It’s about empowering individuals to break through their own barriers, believe in their potential, and create a lifestyle they’re proud of.

For me, this business isn’t just a job. It’s a mission. Every step I’ve taken, every challenge I’ve overcome, has led me to this place where I get to help others transform their lives. And that, to me, is the greatest reward of all.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Referrals and networking. I get most of my new clients from raving fans, and I also do high-end networking, which brings in new clients, contacts, and, ultimately, business.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I would say the resource of being in a Marketing and Business Mastermind is the most impactful aspect of my entrepreneurial philosophy, mindset, marketing, tenacity, and beyond.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://empoweredhealthstudios.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jaimeduggan1221

Image Credits

Eder Photo