We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Vanessa Cohn a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Vanessa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you recount a time when the advice you provided to a client was really spot on? (Please note this response is for education/entertainment purposes only and shouldn’t be construed as advice for the reader)
One of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had as a coach is working with a client named Sarah. When she first came to me, she was feeling stuck. She was overwhelmed, frustrated by how she felt when she looked in the mirror. She had gained weight over the years, was struggling with chronic fatigue, and could hardly move the way she used to. Her body felt heavy, sluggish, and she had reached a point where even small tasks left her feeling exhausted. More than anything, she felt disconnected from herself.
When we started working together, I told her something that became a cornerstone of our work: small, consistent changes create big results. This wasn’t about overhauling her life overnight or following a rigid diet plan. Instead, we focused on building habits—one step at a time—that would help her make lasting change.
Sarah took that advice to heart. She began by committing to healthy eating and prioritizing protein, learning how to move her body in ways that felt good again, and incorporating strength training. Over time, she started to not just lose the weight but gain muscle and improve her overall mobility.
But the real transformation went far beyond just the physical results.
Through our work together, she changed her mindset. She learned how to nourish herself instead of depriving herself, how to listen to her body’s signals, and how to approach her health with more balance and compassion. The weight loss was great, of course, but what Sarah really gained was her confidence, energy, and strength back.
And here’s where it gets even more amazing—her lifestyle changes didn’t just impact her. She became such a positive force in her household that her husband began making better choices as well. He started making better food choices, and they both got more intentional about their family meals.
It’s incredible to think that through our work, I didn’t just help Sarah—her entire household has shifted toward a healthier lifestyle. They joke that I’m practically a household name now because they’re always talking about the tips and advice I’ve shared. Sarah and her family have experienced firsthand that small, mindful changes lead to a happier, healthier, and more vibrant life, and I couldn’t be more proud of the progress she’s made.
Seeing her and her family thrive reminds me every day why I do what I do. It’s not just about the scale—it’s about transforming lives from the inside out and creating a ripple effect of wellness that spreads through families and communities. That’s the true power of health coaching, and Sarah’s story is a perfect example of how lasting change is possible with the right mindset and consistent actions.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
For those who may not know me, I’m Vanessa, an integrative health coach who found this path while healing from my own health crisis. I’ve been where many of you are—feeling exhausted, frustrated, and unsure of how to regain control of your health. When I hit rock bottom with hormone imbalances, constant fatigue, and unexplained weight gain, I felt like I had tried everything with no results. That’s when I discovered functional lab testing and integrative health solutions that not only transformed my health but sparked my passion to help others do the same.
Now, I help women who feel like they’ve tried every diet, every workout plan, and still aren’t getting the results they deserve. I meet them at that breaking point—when they’re confused, overwhelmed, and tired of feeling stuck. Through my Radiant Woman Reset program, I give them the tools they need to reset their body, balance their hormones, and create sustainable habits that fit their unique lifestyle.
What sets my approach apart is that I understand what it feels like to not be heard and to not have clear answers. I use personalized nutrition, functional lab testing, and mindset coaching to create real, lasting change. The women I work with don’t just lose weight—they regain energy, heal their bodies, and reconnect with their confidence and vitality.
If you’re ready to get off the hamster wheel of quick fixes and truly heal, I’m here to meet you where you are and help you get to where you want to be—radiant, strong, and in control of your health.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
For me, the most helpful thing is connecting with the individual. It’s giving them time to tell their stories. It’s listening to understand. They share so many details about their stories that connect to their health puzzle, as well as the things that both motivate them and hold them back. I get a lot of information from learning from my clients that I use to help them reach their goals, get healthy, and get their lives back.
We build this special relationship that is based on connection and trust, and I get to walk with them through uncertainty and into better health. I cheer them on. This gets them results, and they tell the world.
If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?
One hundred percent, yes. If I could go back, I would have started down this track earlier. I was an elementary teacher around the time I got into fitness. I thought that would be my career, but when I moved states and left teaching, fitness coaching was there for me. Had I focused on that first and learning business as well, I might be further along.
But I take pride in my journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.connectedhabits.com/
- Instagram: @connectedhabitscoaching
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068030744343
Image Credits
ME;-)