Serena Sabala is a Certified Plant Based Nutrition Consultant, Yoga Teacher and Sculpt Trainer who has studied the subjects of wellness and nutrition for over ten years and has a unique, wholistic approach to health. She’s also a published author and speaker.
When she was only 8 years old her father, a very successful and busy entrepreneur, got really sick: unfortunately he didn’t have the tools to take care of his own wellbeing and therefore crumbled under the pressure of owning a multi million euros business.
This led to him loosing everything he had worked so hard for, with huge consequences to him and the whole family. As a result of her childhood experiences, Serena has developed an interest in wellbeing practices which started at a very young age.
Today, together with her husband Eugene, she runs Whole Shift Wellness: a coaching company specialised in bespoke programs for time pressed professionals. Their combined experience spans over 20+ years and has allowed them to work with more than 500 professionals across 5 countries. Together, they passionately apply their proven methodology to transform the health and wellbeing of leaders from around the world who want to be strong, fit, healthy and satisfied, and who aspire to continue having a positive impact within their organizations and the communities around them.
Serena is also very passionate about bringing wellness to the workplace, since many people spend most of their waking hours at work: she believes that “employees who are cared for, care more” and that companies who put the wellbeing of their employees at the forefront of what they do, are more successful than average.
Thank you for interviewing with us today, can you introduce yourself to us?
My name is Serena, I am a certified nutrition consultant, yoga teacher and co-founder of Whole Shift Wellness. We specialise in bespoke programs for busy leaders who want to make the shift to their most fit, healthy and confident selves without extreme diets or punishing exercise routines. I have over ten years of combined experience in the industry and I’m extremely passionate about empowering women in this often sensitive and most important area of life. I am also the proud author of “Make The Shift” and co-author of “Happy, Healthy, Wealthy Entrepreneurs”, both available on Amazon.
Can you take us through your journey to where you are now?
My passion for health and wellness started at a very young age: when I was only 8 my dad, who was an incredibly talented entrepreneur, suddenly got very sick which was incredibly challenging for all of us. This made me very present with how fundamental our health and wellbeing is. I faced my own challenges with nutrition and hormonal imbalances in my teens and twenties and learnt so much from that time. Now I’m almost 40 and I can truly say that I’ve never felt better in all ways. I am privileged to be able to facilitate these same results for our shifters but in a fraction of the time and without trial and error.
Since starting, have you made any changes to your business model?
We’ve generally only ever worked with our shifters one on one (either in person or remotely) but we now also offer an online group coaching program for female leaders on how to rebalance your hormones with food; anyone from around the world can now benefit from our proven method at a highly competitive rate.
Have you ever had a mentor? If so how has this benefitted you either personally or professionally?
Yes indeed! Every single year I sign up for a coaching or mentoring program to take me to the next level (and consequently the business). I find it absolutely indispensable in order to address and overcome outdated habits and learn new skills that propel us forward.
What outlets do use for marketing?
We have a very successful strategic partnership with a wellness centre in London called Sadhana: we are often featured in their newsletters and social media posts. Of course we also create our own content and share it via email, IG/FB posts and Linkedin. In fact, I’ve started publishing and reaching out on Linkedin more regularly than ever. I am a prolific writer so I regularly publish articles and I also do regular live videos.
What or Who has inspired you most recently?
I’ve loved to witness the exponential success of Jay Shetty: his achievements are inspiring especially since his messages are so positive and uplifting. I also love what Tabitha Brown has built: it feels genuine and authentic. Delicious Ella is another brand I really resonate with as I have some future projects that will see me active in a very similar space to hers.
What is the best piece of business advice you have received to date?
There are no big wins in business so start small, celebrate the small wins each and every single step of the way and trust that with consistent and committed work, you’ll achieve great things in the long run.
How do you create an evenly balanced work and personal life?
I don’t even try. I don’t believe in the myth of an “even balance”. I’m lucky to absolutely love what I do; it is more than just a job, it is a passion and a mission so I probably work more than many people deem acceptable but I don’t mind that because it often doesn’t feel like work. I also make the most of being my own boss by creating a daily routine that involves all the activities I need to take best care of me (yoga, meditation, fitness, reading, journalling, walking to clear my head). The overall balance works for me most of the time and whenever it stops working, I take a moment to reassess, shift it and move on. Life is not perfect and neither am I but I feel blessed every single day for how I get to live it.
Name a seminal point in your career so far?
Lats week we’ve hired 7 members of staff to help us progress massively in 2023. This decision was a long time coming and took some major overcoming of fears and limiting beliefs but I’m truly so excited about it all now!
What gives you ultimate career satisfaction?
The results of our shifters. Seeing them exceed their own expectations of what is possible in this most important area of their lives is priceless. It moves me to tears to think about it.
Are there any leading entrepreneurs or SME leaders that you admire and if so, why?
Daniel Priestley is a good friend and such an inspiring entrepreneur who has achieved great success but is still so genuine and relatable. I look up to business women like Gwyneth Paltrow, Tracy Anderson, Marie Forleo and even the iconic Oprah, who have all built huge businesses that truly reflect who they are, what they like and believe in.
How do you define your own success?
My greatest success is my marriage. If everything else in my life disappeared and I was left with that only, I would be more than ok. My meaningful relationships with my closest friends, family and business associates, including all our amazing shifters, make me feel more fulfilled than anything else. I value people above all else.
Finally, what can we expect from you next?
Two books for sure! One is almost done: How to Rebalance Your Hormones with Food and Lifestyle. The second is still in the works and I can’t reveal too much but I can tell you that you’ll finally find me in the kitchen, which is my absolute favourite room in the house.
