#BEYOUROWN MEETS SARAH LEWIS

Sarah Lewis is a certified holistic health coach who helps women reclaim their health, step into their power, reconnect to their truth and consciously create a life they love. Her holistic approach to health has her working with clients to help them achieve vibrant health by looking at all areas of their life (food, relationships, exercise, career, spirituality etc.). This allows their transformative results to be sustainable in the long term.

Hey Sarah, can you introduce yourself to us?

I’m so happy for this opportunity to share my journey with you, thank you! My name is Sarah, I am a law graduate turned holistic health coach. I love traveling, living a conscious and soul aligned life, learning and growing, being the best and healthiest version of myself. My mission is to empower women to reconnect to their truth, consciously and soulfully create a life they love while being the most vibrant version of themselves. 

Can you take us through your journey to where you are now? 

I studied Law for 5 years (to finish my Master) while working on the side. It was definitely challenging time especially because I wasn’t passionate about Law and because somewhere deep down I wasn’t listening to the little voice that was telling me this wasn’t right for me. I just silenced that and tried to convince myself it was what I wanted. But at some point, I just couldn’t hide from myself anymore. I would have had to continue on this path for at least 2 more years of study and traineeship and prepare for the bar exam. I just couldn’t go that far knowing that’s not what I wanted. I made the difficult decision at the time to quit the law (after my Master).

I have never looked back!

I traveled and worked for a while always wanting to start my own business but not knowing what or how. But when I heard about IIN (The Institute for Integrative Nutrition) I knew it was exactly what I was meant to do. There has been one constant throughout my life (even if it has evolved a lot and has looked different at different times) and that is my love for self-growth and living a healthy life. Enrolling at IIN just made sense. And felt right. That is what allowed me to start my coaching business.

I always say that I don’t regret anything that has happened because it has brought me to exactly where I am now and shaped me into who I am. It’s important for me to share my journey because while I was studying Law, I thought there was no way out or that it was “too late” for me to do something else and live my dream. But it is never too late, we can always start over, start fresh. We just need to believe in ourselves, trust the process and not lose hope!

What is a day in the life of you like?

I love to wake up early but it depends on the season. I start my day with a meditation (I love using the free app Insight Timer). Then there are a few things I love to do in my morning ritual that vary from day to day: journaling, visualising my goals and dreams, gratitude, lighting a candle and some sage or palo santo to clear the energy for a new day. Sometimes I also put on some music and dance or stretch and do a few sun salutations on my yoga mat. When I’m done I’ll usually make fresh celery or green juice or have lemon juice with warm water. I drink that on an empty stomach and only then do I have breakfast (pretty much always savoury: leafy greens, hummus, avocado, sweet potato for example). I don’t look at my phone before I finish my morning ritual.

My day always looks a bit different but I try to set times for emails, creating content and writing, video calls with clients, planning and getting inspiration for my next steps. I love to go for a walk or a workout at the end of the day to clear my head and take time for myself away from my phone in the evening. Something that is also very important for me is to incorporate some learning/inspiration every day which could be through reading a book, listening to an audiobook or a podcast. 

How did you initially launch your career?

I always wanted to have my own business and be my own boss. I knew the traditional path and 9-5 wasn’t going to cut it for me. I just wasn’t sure what to do or where to start. When I heard about the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN), while working at a job that wasn’t fulfiling, I just knew it was the path I needed to follow. I had always been very health conscious and into natural/alternative healing methods, so it made sense. Enrolling at IIN and investing in myself was the best decision I made for my career. 

You hold a Master of Laws from the University of Geneva, can you tell us what you took away from that experience?

I studied Law because I thought I had to follow what was expected of me, the traditional path. And as a result, I silenced my heart and disconnected from myself. I do not regret it however because it showed me how it feels to live for others and not for yourself, and it taught me that it serves absolutely no one to do so. In the end, being in such a low space allowed me to finally have the courage to stop hiding from myself and decide that I would do things differently. I didn’t know what, how or when, but I trusted the process.

On a more practical side, I am very happy to have studied Law for all that I have learned. It helped me acquire many skills! I have learned to be more analytical, solve problems and always try to understand the other side which is great in a conflict for example. And overall, I have a good understanding of the Law and know what to pay attention to. These are all skills that are much needed when starting a business.

Can you talk us through your coaching approach and how you are helping your clients to take control of their life and their health?

My approach is to help clients start from the inside out. Going deep within allows them to reconnect to their intuition and inner guidance, which in turn allows them to reconnect to their body and listen to what it needs. Looking within also allows them to find clarity about who they are and empowers them to unconditionally love and accept themselves. And that is the key when it comes to making the best choices for ourselves and nourishes & move our bodies from a place of love.

That is usually the first step to anything: going deep within, under the layers, understanding emotions, clearing blocks, limiting beliefs etc. And then, we rebuild from there. When they know their true selves, listen to their intuition & heart they can start creating a life of purpose and manifesting their desires into reality.

Can you give us 3 tips to help us step into our power?

1. Know your worth.
2. Be yourself and don’t be afraid to fit out.
3. Connect and listen to your intuition.

Who does the team involve behind you?

Right now, it’s just me.

Where can you see yourself within the next 3-5 years?

Growing my business and hiring a team. Reaching a larger audience to have an impact on more people’s lives. I want to create online courses sharing what I learned and what changed my life. Writing my first book. Giving back and supporting causes I believe in. 

What strategies do you have in place when looking at the expansion of your business?

I am looking into ways to widen my network by attending events in the wellness industry for example. I would also love to collaborate with another coach at some point or partner with a wellness studio. Lastly, I would love to host events like women’s circles. 

Can you tell us what areas you have struggled in professionally?

Knowing my worth, owning up to who I am and what I do especially with people who don’t understand it, believe in it or respect it.

Have you ever had a mentor? If so how has this benefitted you to grow?

No, I haven’t really had a mentor (yet). But there are people around me who support me and hold me accountable for what I want to do with my business. I think this is one of the most important things.

What outlets do use to market your business?

Instagram, Facebook, mailing list and a blog coming soon.

Which methods are you using to build your own support network?

I surround myself with positive people who support and uplift me. I am looking to start a mastermind with women entrepreneurs in order to help each other grow. 

What do you believe are the common misconceptions about being an entrepreneur?

That you have to do it all alone. I think the most important thing is to know you can and should ask for help. Whether that is asking a friend, hiring a personal assistant, hiring a business coach, learning from more experienced than you etc.

What would you like to see changed for millennials in business?

I feel that it isn’t very encouraged for millennials to actually step away from a more traditional path and start something new (at least from my experience). So I would like to see more resources and support put in place to encourage millennials with a vision and will to start their own business to do so.

What is the best piece of business advice you have received to date?

Focus on what you are good at doing and what you believe in and give it your all. 

What is the number 1 critical lesson you have learned in your career so far?

That if you believe in your vision, trust yourself, take inspired action, learn from your mistakes and never give up, you can achieve absolutely anything.

How do you create an evenly balanced work and personal life?

Having a schedule and sticking to it. Scheduling in things that I want to do for me and allowing myself to take time off as well as scheduling in specific tasks that I need to get done. And limiting distractions. 

What gives you ultimate career satisfaction?

Helping and inspiring others to know their worth, follow their heart and create a life they truly love.

What challenges have you seen during the growth of your business?

Trying to do it all and right away can lead to feeling overwhelmed. That is why planning and scheduling are so important.

Which other leading entrepreneurs and pioneering game changers do you admire?

Melissa Ambrosini and Danielle Paige.

What is a good book you have read recently?

‘The 4-Hour Work Week (still reading),’ and ‘A Return To Love.’

Top 3 go-to Podcast channels?

1. ‘The Melissa Ambrosini Show’
2. ‘IGNTD’ podcast with Dr. Adi and Sophie Jaffe.
3. ‘Awaken Radio’ with Connie Chapman.

How do you measure your own terms of success?

By the feelings of love, joy, freedom, abundance, connection and being of service.

What does #BEYOUROWN mean to you?

Be your own guru, be your own boss, be your own person.

Lastly, what is next for you?

I am working on creating an online program. But shhh!

Instagram: @sarahlewisco 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahlewisco/ 

Website: https://sarahlewis.co/