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

Hi Sherri, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

A risk I took that made a huge impact on my life was deciding to leave my full-time job in a profession I spent over 20 years in. I took that leap and started my own business in a different field and in my mid 40’s to live the life I always wanted. My dream was to work from home with the flexibility to make my own schedule, do what I love and be there for my kids.

I always worked at my corporate job during the day and then in the evenings and weekends I would do health coaching and personal training with my clients. Growing up in an age where the social norm is stay at the same job or field until you retire and THEN you can do what you want, didn’t sound too fun for me considering I had 2 decades to go. So, I took a risk and left my previous profession as a Certified Commercial Interior Designer and now living my passion as a Certified Women’s Health Coach and Fitness Trainer specializing in Peri-Postmenopause.

I learned that even though it was the hardest decision to leave the “safe” lifestyle it taught me that taking risks helps me grow as person and learn that there is so much more to experience in life.

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

My journey began in my 30’s when my son was diagnosed with Autism at 3 years old. I spent years researching how foods and movement affected how he felt and ways he could recover. It was at that point I began thinking to myself how food and movement affects all of us as well!

Sleepless nights, worry and stress dragged me down month after month, that I would wind up having to go to the hospital monthly. I let my cup run dry and could not function. I ignored what my body was telling me and could no longer function until I got a night of rest in the hospital ER.

As I became more aware of my own health, I was so inspired to learn more about women’s wellness and became a certified Functional Fitness Trainer and Women’s Health Coach. I feel most women out there are doing the same thing. It may not be caring for someone else, but it may be stress from work, relationship hardships with loved ones, lack of sleep, emotional eating etc.. I know what it feels like. You don’t take care of yourself first and you are running on empty, completely exhausted.

Another pivotable moment was when I was in my 40’s and began to experience perimenopausal symptoms of weight gain, fatigue, hot flashes etc.. I felt that society has told us to concede to the idea of “that’s what happens when you get older, you just have to accept it.” Not finding the answers I was looking for gave me the feeling that this lack of knowledge was unacceptable. If I couldn’t get the answers I was looking for, I would find the information myself, so that’s what motivated me to become a certified Peri-Postmenopausal Specialist and Functional Nutrition Counselor. It was at that moment I decided to take a risk and leave the profession I worked in for over two decades and make a career change to support women and their overall wellness.

I started KickSpark Fitness, LLC to help menopausal women over 40 balance their hormones, so they can lose 10-30lbs without fad diets or hard-core workouts. I provide women a roadmap that will not only alleviate their menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, fatigue, and sleep deprivation, but also help lose the stubborn weight which can be challenging during this time in a woman’s life. With clients participating in my program the end results are always weight loss, balanced hormones, and the confidence they regain feeling like themselves again. This roadmap journey is about positive energy and taking small steps to get to obtainable goals. Her journey is about realizing how age is just a number and learning that she can be STRONG mentally and physically without apologizing.

I feel my company is set apart from others by providing women with simple solutions for menopausal weight gain and hot flashes, by incorporating uncomplicated lifestyle changes they can do themselves without medication.

There are no diets or hard-core workouts. I empower my clients with tactics and knowledge, so they can incorporate an easy and sustainable lifestyle where they feel independent, strong, and confident.

What I am most proud brand wise is that I’m talking about women’s health issues that society has not spoken about and still does not talk about. Educating women that they have a say in their health and not to accept the first thing given to them. Saying it’s ok to question, speak up and learn about their own physiology because this topic was never taught to women or their mom or generations before that. Having empowerment and not having to ask for permission to take control of their own health and learn how amazing that feels.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

There has been two memorable times when I realized I should pivot in my career and business. The first time was when I was working my corporate job in a career I spent over 20 years in. At the same time, I was also working evenings and weekends with my fitness clients. I would notice when working my day job, it left me stressed and I had a physical gut feeling that something wasn’t right. I was beginning to feel the passion I once felt for that particular career slowly diminish. However, when I worked with my own personal fitness clients after hours, I felt alive, and the work felt very satisfying. That’s when I knew I had to take that leap and make a career change.

The second time was when I was in my 40’s and began to experience perimenopausal symptoms. After seeking answers from healthcare professionals and still not finding out what was happening in my body, that’s when I knew I had to pivot my business to support women over 40 having the same experience. I was astounded by the lack of menopausal education that was out there and I knew other women felt the same. By pivoting who I support, has allowed me to empower women over 40 going through the same experience as myself by finding the solutions to lose the menopausal weight and help them to feel like themselves again.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

The book that really helped me change my mindset from an independent consultant running a side hustle to a small business entrepreneur was The EMyth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber. The book opened my eyes to the structure and systems that are necessary to scale, generate profit and love what you daily.      

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherrisherock_kicksparkfitness/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherriasherock/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherri-sherock-cfnc-chc-cpt-860b0045/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_QQKdMBGUeg6wlBEU1r92g

Image Credits
All photos courtesy Paul Raab