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

Alright, Sami thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the best advice you ever gave to a client? How did they benefit / what was the result? (Please note this response is for education/entertainment purposes only and shouldn’t be construed as advice for the reader)

Some of the best advice I give clients is to shift their focus from solely weight loss to overall well-being and strength. Instead of obsessing over the scale, I encourage them to celebrate non-scale victories such as increased energy, better sleep, improved mood, feeling more comfortable in their clothes, greater confidence, and the ability to lift heavier weights and get stronger.

This mindset shift has a profound impact. Clients begin to enjoy the process more, feel less pressure, and find it easier to stay consistent with their healthy habits. Over time, they not only lose the weight they had been struggling with but also gain a new sense of confidence and a healthier relationship with food. When clients stop seeing exercise and nutrition as punishment and start embracing them as a form of self-care, it’s a transformative point.

By leaning into the process, building healthy habits along the way, and getting rid of the all-or-nothing mindset that many of us have, clients can create sustainable results. They continue to thrive, enjoying their fitness journey and maintaining their results without the fear of falling back into old patterns.

Sami , 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?

Absolutely! My name is Sami, and I’m an online nutrition and fitness coach dedicated to helping women lose fat, improve their relationship with food, stop the yo-yo dieting cycle, and get toned and strong. My journey into the fitness industry began after spending several years working in legal and professional services marketing. While I found my previous career fulfilling in its own way, I realized my true passion lay in directly helping women transform their lives through health and fitness.

In my coaching business, I offer a range of personalized services, including one-on-one coaching programs, customized training plans, and nutrition education. My signature program is a 3 month or 6 month one-on-one coaching program that provides a completely customized training and nutrition plan, tailored to individual needs, preferences, goals, and schedules. It includes gym or home workouts, on-going nutrition coaching, multiple weekly check-ins, and 24/7 support, ensuring that clients have the guidance and accountability they need to succeed. This isn’t just a 30 day quick fix, I truly aim to teach clients the why behind what we’re doing so that they can maintain this lifestyle for the rest of their lives after working with me.

One thing I’ve realized along the way is that my role goes beyond just nutrition and fitness coaching. I act as a therapist, nutrition coach, personal trainer, life coach, and overall biggest fan for my clients all in one. The problems I solve for my clients go beyond just weight loss. I help them break free from the all-or-nothing mindset that leads to yo-yo dieting and feelings of failure. My approach is to make fitness and healthy eating a sustainable and enjoyable part of their lives, rather than a temporary fix. I focus on building healthy habits, educating clients about nutrition, and providing continuous support to help them stay on track.

What sets me apart from others in the industry is my personalized, empathetic approach. I strive to be extremely personable with every client, building strong relationships and understanding their unique needs and challenges. My clients know they can count on me for unwavering support and encouragement, making their journey to better health a positive and empowering experience.

I’m most proud of the transformations my clients achieve—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. Seeing women gain confidence, improve their relationship with food, and find joy in their fitness journey is incredibly rewarding.
The main things I want potential clients and followers to know about me and my brand are that I am deeply committed to their success and well-being. I believe in the power of personalized care and support, and I am passionate about helping women achieve their health and fitness goals in a sustainable, enjoyable way. My mission is to make a real difference in their lives, empowering them to feel strong, confident, and healthy.

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

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has undoubtedly been through referrals from current and past clients. I aim to be extremely personable with every client, focusing on their unique needs, goals, and challenges. By building a strong, trusting relationship and providing personalized attention and support, my clients feel genuinely valued and understood.

This individualized approach not only helps clients achieve their fitness and health goals but also creates a positive and memorable experience for them. I’ve seen that when clients see real, sustainable results and feel supported every step of the way, they are more likely to share their success stories with friends, family, and co-workers.

It has also helped me to create a community of like-minded women who are all striving toward similar goals. This just provides another layer of support and accountability. I also have a lot of clients who come back to working with me after they have taken a break for whatever reason and that makes the relationships even more special.

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

Absolutely, if I could go back, I would choose the same profession and specialty without hesitation. Transitioning into the fitness space and starting my online coaching business has been one of the most rewarding decisions of my life. I genuinely love what I do because I get to directly impact people’s lives in meaningful ways. Helping women lose fat, improve their relationship with food, break free from the yo-yo dieting cycle, and become stronger and more confident is incredibly fulfilling.

Before making this transition, I worked in legal and professional services marketing. While it was a valuable experience, I realized that my true passion lay in helping people achieve their health and fitness goals. This passion drives me every day and keeps me motivated to provide the best possible support and guidance to my clients.

Seeing the positive changes in my clients’ lives, not just physically but mentally and emotionally, confirms that I made the right choice. The joy and satisfaction that come from knowing I’ve played a part in someone’s journey to better health and self-confidence are unparalleled. I wouldn’t trade this career for anything else, as it aligns perfectly with my desire to make a real difference in people’s lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.samibalchum.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samibalchum_fit
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samantha.ellen.5
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthabalchum