We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Monica Jackson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Monica, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you ever experienced a times when your entire field felt like it was taking a U-Turn?

In the fitness and wellness industry, one of the biggest ‘U-turns’ I’ve experienced is the shift from focusing solely on weight loss and appearance to a more holistic, balanced approach to health and wellness. When I first started as a personal trainer, the main goal for most clients—and the industry’s messaging—was all about shedding pounds and fitting into a certain aesthetic. It was very numbers-driven, with weight loss and calorie counting at the forefront of most programs.

However, over the years, the conversation has shifted to prioritizing mental health, strength, and overall well-being. Now, we focus more on how people feel, both mentally and physically, rather than just how they look. Self-love, body positivity, and mindfulness have become integral parts of my practice.

This shift from appearance to well-being has allowed me to help clients not just achieve their fitness goals but also build long-term healthy habits and improve their relationship with themselves.

It’s been a transformative change in how I coach and support women, making the work more fulfilling and impactful.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Monica Jackson, a women’s personal trainer, life coach, and self-love specialist. My journey into this industry was born out of my own personal experiences and passion for helping women transform their lives, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. I’m a mother of two, a proud autism mom, and a Hashimoto’s survivor, and these experiences have shaped my approach to fitness and self-care.

I’ve been a personal trainer for 6 years, and during this time, I’ve had the privilege of working with thousands of women across the country through 1-on-1 coaching, virtual training, group training, fitness challenges, eBooks, and more. What I love about this field is that it’s more than just workouts or meal plans—it’s about helping women reconnect with their bodies, prioritize their health, and feel confident in their own skin.

My services include customized workout routines, nutrition guidance, life coaching, and self-love practices. Whether it’s helping someone get stronger through fitness, or guiding them through personal growth and mindfulness, I aim to create a balanced approach that focuses on the mind, body, and soul. I also offer virtual coaching programs, which allow me to work with clients no matter where they are, providing ongoing support, weekly check-ins, and personalized routines that fit their lifestyle.

What sets me apart is my focus on self-love and creating a supportive community where women feel seen, heard, and empowered. I believe fitness isn’t just about looking a certain way; it’s about feeling good, inside and out. I help my clients tap into that, whether they’re tackling weight loss, overcoming mental blocks, or just trying to live a healthier, more balanced life.

Currently, my main focus is creating, building, and supporting a new community — specifically a community of women who uplift and support each other through their journeys.

My main goal is for potential clients and followers to know that I’m here to help them prioritize themselves, build confidence, and embrace who they are while working towards who they want to become. It’s all about progress, not perfection, and I’m honored to be a part of each client’s unique journey.

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

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that success, both in fitness and in life, comes from pushing yourself non-stop without rest. Early in my career, I believed that to achieve results—whether it was for myself or for my clients—it was all about “no pain, no gain,” working hard constantly, and pushing through no matter what. I thought that being successful meant being busy and always doing more.

The backstory is personal. As a trainer, coach, and mother, I juggled a lot of roles, trying to be everything for everyone, including myself. I’d push myself to the limit, skipping breaks, neglecting self-care, and even ignoring my body’s signals for rest. This mindset eventually led to burnout, both physically and mentally. It wasn’t until I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s that I realized how much damage I was doing by constantly grinding without taking time to pause and reset. My body was literally forcing me to slow down.

Through my recovery, I learned that balance and rest are just as important as hard work. I started to see that progress, whether in fitness or personal growth, is a marathon, not a sprint. Rest and recovery became essential parts of my routines—not only for myself but also for my clients. Now, I emphasize the importance of listening to your body, practicing self-love, and finding balance, because pushing yourself to the limit every day is unsustainable.

The lesson I had to unlearn is that doing more isn’t always better. Real, lasting success comes from working smarter, not harder, and making space for rest, reflection, and recovery. This shift in mindset has allowed me to help my clients build healthier, more sustainable lifestyles, and it’s made my own journey so much more fulfilling.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of the biggest pivots in my career came when I transitioned from being a traditional personal trainer focused solely on fitness to becoming a life coach and self-love specialist. Initially, my work centered around helping women achieve physical goals—weight loss, muscle building, and fitness milestones. But as I worked with more clients, I began to realize that many of the barriers to achieving those goals weren’t just physical. They were mental and emotional, too.

A turning point came with one particular client who had been following her workout and meal plans but wasn’t seeing the progress she expected. We’d talk after sessions, and I noticed that her struggles were deeper than just the gym; she was dealing with stress, negative self-talk, and a lack of confidence. It made me realize that if I only focused on fitness, I was missing an opportunity to help her in a more meaningful way. She didn’t just need a workout plan—she needed tools to rebuild her self-worth and create a mindset that supported her goals.

That’s when I decided to pivot. I began incorporating life coaching and self-love practices into my fitness programs. I started offering journal prompts, mindfulness techniques, and emotional support to help women not just reach their physical goals but to feel empowered in every aspect of their lives. This pivot transformed my entire approach and my business. I went from being a personal trainer to a coach who focuses on the whole person—mind, body, and soul. This shift allowed me to connect with clients on a deeper level and help them make lasting changes.

That pivot taught me that fitness isn’t just about the body—it’s about the mind and heart, too. By embracing a more holistic approach, I’m able to offer services that empower women to feel strong, confident, and balanced in all areas of life. It was a scary shift at first, but it’s become one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve made.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsmonicajackson?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mocoaching
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mofitness01
• Other: TikTok: @mofitness01