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

Ronnie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

Defining Moment – Ronnie Lo Life Coach, aka Ronnie Loaiza
When asked if there was a defining moment in my professional journey that significantly impacted my career path, dozens of seemingly countless memories flashed through my mind. But my thoughts always, return to what I now believe, was my first pivotal moment.
I was 19 or 20 years old, clueless, and had no career. I was doing a summer semester at UCLA, majoring in the vaguest of fields – Mass Communication. It was what people chose when they weren’t sure what to do.
One night, in my dorm room, I walked over to the window, pulled a bit of the curtain aside and gazed out at the glistening lights of Westwood. My eyes refocused on the reflection of my face in the glass. I stared into my own eyes and wondered, Who the hell am I? What is my gift? What is my talent? I was okay in school but not an intellectual, and I didn’t excel at anything. I wasn’t known for anything exceptional. Nothing, defined me.
I prayed to God for a sign, to make me something, to make me excellent at something.
Defining Moment #2
The same week I graduated college, still not exceptional at anything, I decided to go to Paris for five months to study French. It was my dad’s idea; he couldn’t believe I wasn’t going to grad school. I guess he thought it might light a fire under me.
In Paris, I landed an internship at a magazine called “Paris Passion,” run by Time Out of London. Everyone who asked for an internship got one, so it wasn’t a big deal—except it was! Because it was all so much fun! I was sent to critique restaurants (not kidding!) and write short columns on artists I knew nothing about. I’d research them, visit their exhibits, and then write about them. I got to grab the invitations to gallery showings where my new best friend, also an intern, and I survived on free champagne and hors d’oeuvres.
Then came the pivotal moment—it was the fall of 1989. Rumblings across Germany and Europe hinted at something big—the start of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
One day, I rushed to two American news networks, CNN and ABC, to see if they had any work for me. They brushed me off, but at CBS News, near the Arc de Triomphe, a man asked how good I was on the phone. He tested my French and then told me to start answering the phones.
I worked there through the fall of the Berlin Wall, helping correspondents and crews get to various locations and setting up logistics. About a month later, that same man asked, “Who are you again?” He was joking, but we had a nice talk, and I ended up freelancing for CBS News for over three years. I assisted with serious stories and fun events like Paris Fashion Week and even went to Dharan during the First Gulf War.
What began as a five-month stint turned into five years—definitely a defining moment in time. I started to believe I was good at something, though I wasn’t quite sure what.
Fast Forward…
Back in the United States, I pursued a career as a news reporter. I started as an intern, then worked as a TV weather anchor, TV news reporter, and eventually a radio traffic and news anchor. Those are long chapters indeed, so I’ll speed ahead to another defining moment.
I was a radio news anchor in Los Angeles. My back was hurting – bad. Five (5) chiropractors later, acupuncture, decompression, two MDs prescribing painkillers that I did not take, and refusing surgery, I went to see one last chiropractor who offered a free consultation. After sifting through my health and workout history, he put me with a ‘Corrective Exercise Specialist-Personal Trainer”. Say what? Yep, she showed me how to strength train properly for my condition – degenerative disc disease (herniated discs) and after a few weeks, I didn’t hurt anymore. I was so into it, we would talk about exercise and anatomy and then… my trainer said – “you need to be a personal trainer. At the ripe old age of 46 (okay not old, but certainly ripe) and not athletic, I thought that was nuts. But, she said that being in great shape, fit, enthusiastic and middle aged (ouch), I would be my own walking billboard. Many people my age and up would trust me. And one day I woke up and decided- I think I’ll become a personal trainer.
Defining Moment #3
I loved helping people get as fit as each individual could be. I saw that it wasn’t about age—it was about mindset and fitness level. And what helped them most was changing their habits. Little did I know this would lead me to become a Habit Coach.
Then hit COVID.
When the pandemic struck, some of my personal training clients mentioned they had friends, sisters, and colleagues who weren’t working out. They were too busy or stressed. So, I offered to talk to them. These women were smart, go-getting, and taking care of business, but they were stressed, trying to help their clients and staff, or just trying to keep their jobs. They put on a brave face, but the stress was real.
I helped them in various ways—setting up workout spaces at home, creating schedules, and establishing boundaries. But mostly, we talked about the deep-seated roots of their concerns. One person said, “God, you really coached me well.” Others suggested I coach beyond fitness and nutrition, and one even told me I should become a Life Coach. I thought, “What is a Life Coach”?
So I looked into it, and discovered there were dozens of types of coaching. I saw how people were hiring coaches and liked it. So I got serious about it, found the right ICF Accredited Program, and got certified
and WOW!… I found my purpose. I finally understood what “fulfillment” really felt like—physically, emotionally, and intellectually. I love coaching people during their sessions and love seeing their results.
Always growing and learning I continue my education and training.
– I am now a Master Certified Professional Coach, specializing in career growth, career transitions, and more.
– I also studied to become a Certified Habit Coach.
HOW THIS COULD RELATE TO YOU.
I’ve shared a few pivotal moments that have defined my career—moments that are woven into the fabric of my life. And that thread is still being spun!
No matter our age or how set we are in our ways, we can all reset our mindset, renew our values, revive our dreams, shift our perspectives, and revisit our defining moments, allowing them to propel us toward new ones. I love watching my clients discover this, grasp it, and put it into action!
I’m still the same girl who stood at the window of her college dorm, full of fear and wonder. But now, when I look into her eyes – my eyes – I smile knowing I’ve come a long, wonderful way. I have proof of my talents, my skills, my lived and learned experiences, victories, accomplishments, and gifts. Most importantly, I’ve developed a kinship and admiration for other entrepreneurs and solopreneurs rather than envy, and I know I have so much more to give.
And so do you. (Yay!)
– Ronnie Loaiza aka Ronnie Lo Life Coach
Let’s connect! I’ll give you a gift on creating a habit
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronnielolifecoach/

Ronnie, 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?

It is in the article in the previous answer. What sets me apart from others is that I bring my life experience but do NOT impose any agenda, bias, or preconceptions. It is about the client exploring themselves, and coming up with the right answers with confidence. I help my clients change their behaviors or reactions with a process I call ‘Evidentiary ThoughtWork’ and can work in every aspect of their lives and all goals, with Habits. I guide them through one tiny action that turns into a habit, that drives them to their goal, instead of forced discipline or sheer willpower. The reader can know that they can reach any goal with their easy habits – which become a part of WHO they are, rather than just another hack, program, or shortcut plan.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Work on yourself – your mindset, confidence, and disposition as you start in your career, or changing careers or jobs, and all along. Keep up your self-care and always improve or take care of your health. This impacts your work and vice-versa.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

I might, I might have gone into kinesthisology and health, and become a personal trainer AND studied to be a Psychologist to be a Psychotherapist. But I am not sure… I do LOVE my life and work experiences

I’m still the same girl who stood at the window of her college dorm, full of fear and wonder. But now, at 59, when I look into her eyes—my eyes—I smile, knowing I’ve come a long, wonderful way. I have proof of my talents, my skills, my lived and learned experiences, victories, accomplishments, and gifts. Most importantly, I’ve developed a kinship and admiration for others rather than envy, and I know I have so much more to give.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ronnielolifecoach.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ronnielolifecoach/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/takeactionwomensleveluphub
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronnielolifecoach/
• Twitter: https://x.com/loaiza_ronnie
• Other: https://linktr.ee/ronniecoach?utm_source=linktree_admin_share

Image Credits

My husband. 👨🏻‍🦱. He’s okay with it! Great apple phone camera!