Meet Innovative Woman Kim Acedo, founder of Transformation Wellness for Women and Certified Health & Wellness Coach.
How/why did you begin your business?
Before becoming a Wellness Coach, I was a Personal Trainer for 14 years. During my time as a trainer, I realized that my midlife clients were craving more than just a body transformation – they wanted a life transformation. So, one day, instead of telling them to do sit-ups, I told them to sit down. It was finally time for them to do the talking and for me to do the listening. I listened to their struggles. I empathized with their frustrations. I heard their cry for a more fulfilling life. I asked questions that helped them look inside to learn more about who they are so that they can discover their own answers. I empowered them to move away from just being accountable to me, to learning how to become accountable to themselves. My clients began getting better results on the outside because of all the work they were doing on the inside. It was then when I knew that Transformation Wellness for Women needed to be born.
What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
Wellness Coaching is still a fairly new area of practice. Because of this, I’ve found that some have a hard time understanding what a Wellness Coach does and what makes me different than a Personal Trainer. Generally speaking, a Personal Trainer uses exercise and nutrition programming to help clients reach their physical goals, while a Wellness Coach uses Positive Psychology and other tools to support one’s ability to succeed and improve one’s self-esteem toward their health and wellness goals. Educating the public on these distinctions has been critical in improving the understanding of the importance and relevance of Wellness Coaching.
How do you define SUCCESS?
When my clients succeed, I have succeeded. My three favorite ways to watch my clients succeed are: 1) When they feel in control of their Sleep, Food, Mood, and Exercise habits; 2) When they are able to become accountable to themselves, meaning they are able to make healthy choices when no one is watching; and 3) When they have a game-changing realization, breakthrough, or “ah-ha” moment during a coaching session.
If there was one thing you wish you knew before you began your business, what would that be?
Do what you do best and hire the rest. For this reason, my business coach, Caterina Rando stresses the importance of every businesswoman having an assistant. I don’t know what I would do without my assistants Deirdre Shockley, Tracy Moore, and Jules Burnell. While they take care of all the behind the scene details, it allows me the time freedom to serve my clients in a world-class fashion.
What makes you an innovative woman?
There is nothing in this world that brings me more satisfaction than when I see women succeed. I am forever dedicated to celebrating other women’s successes, supporting of them toward their hopes and dreams, and empowering them to go beyond what they ever thought they were capable of. In other words, I believe, “Yes, I Can!”, and “Yes, YOU Can!”
To learn more about Kim visit her website www.TransformationWellnessForWomen.com or connect with her on Facebook.