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

Mandy , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

I was 38, 390 pounds and laying on the hospital bed terrified. I was pregnant with twins and we had just found out that our sweet Charlie had High Drops and we needed to do an emergency C-Section. To save mommy and babies. They had just given me a steroid shot to help develop the baby’s lungs and I was scheduled for a C-Section the next day. While I waited for the surgery the nurses were trying to monitor the babies heart beats. Because I was so obese they had a lot of difficulty achieving this. They went through dozens of bottles of petroleum jelly to try to make it easier. I lay there more uncomfortable then I have ever been my whole life, terrified for mine and my babies life’s and humiliated at this body that was making everything more difficult.

The next day the babies were born and we quickly found out Charlie was much sicker than we realized. He had Down Syndrome, High Drops, Jeune’s Syndrome and a Whole in his heart. After 8 days of fighting Charlie passed away in our arms.

Rosie developed the next 2 months in the Nicu and once we came home I held her in my arms and new that this sweet miracle baby deserved to have a healthy mommy. She became my why for changing my health forever.

Mandy , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I have struggled with my weight my whole life. When working with a fertility doctor I also found out that I have PCOS which contributed to my weight struggles. I tried diet after diet my whole life.

During the difficult time of child birth, losing our son Charlie and Rosie being in the NICU for 2 months I did what any emotional eater and food addict would do I ate all my emotions. After Rosie came home I knew I needed to make a change with my health. Rosie became my why!!!!! I was desperate to be the healthy mommy she deserved.

So I decided to try a health program I had several friends try and have success with Optavia. After a week I had amazing results, down 10 pounds and I decided that I wanted to become a health coach. I had so much weight I needed to lose I needed more accountability. I almost didn’t do it because my ego got involved and thought who would want a 310 pound health coach? Are you crazy!!!
But I decided if I could even just help one person and it helped me stay accountable to my health goals it would be worth it.

During my first year I was able to lose 120 pounds and I’ve been able to keep it off for 5 years. I attribute that to coaching and of course working on my mind and habits. And I’ve been able to coach 1,000+ individuals.

I was able to leave corporate America 3 years ago and now I get to be home with Rosie, work from home and be my own boss. It’s AMAZING!

I love Optavia because it focuses on a Holistic Approach to health focusing on healthy body and mind. And once you reach your goal weight we have an amazing maintenance program as well.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

For most of my life I worked in manager positions when I started supporting coaches I used a manager approach and quickly learned that approach was not effective. I had to unlearn the Manager Mandy and develop the Leader Mandy that mentors and leads.

It’s taken me several years to develop leadership skills. But I have to say it’s 💯 better than being a manager.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

While I was losing weight and health coaching simultaneously I have had a few moments when I would get triggered emotionally and gain weight.

Thankfully the times it’s happened I have been able to catch it and lose the weight again. During these moments rather than being ashamed and feel like a failure I used these moments to learn from my mistakes and I’ve even been vulnerable and shared my experiences on social media to give others hope.

Contact Info:

• Website: bettercallmandy.com
• Instagram: Mrs Mandy MAHON
• Facebook: Mandy Florence Mahon
• Linkedin: Mandy MAHON