Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rachael Detering. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Rachael thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

Even though I have worked with women for 8 years, the true work is just beginning. It all started when I was called out 6 months ago by a woman in the coaching field. Called out is putting it lightly. She constructively criticized my business methods and model within the first 30 minutes of messaging me. She pointed out how I was advertising health and wellness without really showing up or showing me. I had no pictures and no real evidence of the work I was doing with women – no exercise class pictures, no testimonials, no pain point stories. I was embarrassed and found myself in the pattern of running and hiding from this woman. I didn’t want to change my ways even though my ways weren’t working.
With her persistence and truly kind heart, she humbled me. I decided to level up and start working with her as my coach. I didn’t realize that how little I had been showing up to myself, let alone to my clients.
I have changed so much. I now have boundaries in place for my ideal client and I have a business model I am proud to implement. I am surrounded by thoroughbreds which is so different from my past with donkeys.

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

I create a safe place to build women up. Having been molested at the age of 4, safety and trust didn’t exist in my world. I vowed from a very young age to work with women on their healing. About 8 years ago, I started teaching fitness classes in a local gym. I loved it, but realized I wanted a more intimate environment for women to exercise and share their hurts. My husband lovingly gave up the use of our garage and converted it into a home gym. He hasn’t parked a car in the garage now for over 5 years.

I see working out and exercise as the vehicle for vulnerability. Women open up about their lives after they move their bodies. Because of their stories, I decided to go into coaching on a broader scale. I officially started my Feed and Fuel Your Soul business two years ago. I now incorporate health and wellness, focusing on physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellness.

The wellness piece of my business includes online and in-person coaching. I have two online programs for women to choose from – Self-Care Challenge and Building Boundaries Course. These programs encourage women to take a look at their lives and make room for growth and change.

Coaching in-person looks a bit different. I assist women in the process of identifying if their actions and values align with each other. We do this with goal setting, value lists, and accountability. Each woman’s plan looks a little different from the next. I tailor plans based on what each woman needs in order to be the best version of herself.

Because of my history with trauma and the belief that my purpose in life is to help women heal, I decided to do the research and gather different strategies to use. A counselor of mine referenced the book The Wounded Heart by Dr. Dan Allender, a Christian author specializing in trauma. I applied it to my own life and now I coach women through this book. I also recently started my Trauma Resolution Certification. Upon completion, I plan to integrate mindfulness strategies in my coaching to best help lead women to healing.

This certification will help women go from feeling emotionally out of control to having tools to overcome their struggles. I believe the certification will be a valuable entity of my coaching, aligning directly to my belief that we need to heal our children’s children.

I used to feel sorry for myself for the pain I have endured. Today, I am grateful to God for the life He has given me. I use my own trauma healing to give hope to women. This sets me apart from other coaches because not only do I use a holistic approach, I have a raw and vulnerable realness. I create a safe place to build women up and out of the darkness.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my coaching clientele is to set boundaries. I set boundaries with my time, energy, and money. These are all forms of transactions. The women with whom I work must have skin in the game in order for coaching to be useful and effective in their lives.

Before I had sufficient boundaries in place, women were not paying me for my time or my energy. I was exhausted and resentful. I did a clean sweep of my behaviors and expectations. The eliminated the women who had been taking advantage of my coaching, allowing more room for women who were ready to level up. Making more room in my business for women who are ready to commit has been a game changer. These women believe in the abundance mindset and are more than willing to share who I am and what I have to offer.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Spirituality, gratitude, and honesty are three of the most helpful practices to help me succeed in health and wellness coaching. When I am connected to God and engage in constant prayer, I become more in tune with my God given intuition. This aids in helping guide women to wellness.

Remaining grateful and thankful keeps me humble and aware of who is in my corner. I am so grateful for the multitude of women who have guided me to this point in my field. I cannot coach alone. I have resources and women who keep me true to God and my values.

Truth and honesty are the only way to stay well. We are only as sick as our secrets.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://feedandfuelyoursoul.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FeedandFuelYourSoul