HCA Graduate Health Coach, Polly's Story
Polly, a recent graduate of HCA, completed her training to become a Professional Health & Wellness Coach in December 2024. Equipped with her certification, she has since established her own health coaching business dedicated to supporting high achievers to build robust business development growth plans, workplace wellbeing strategies & reboot their health.
In this story, Polly shares how preparing for Kilimanjaro mirrored her experience of building a business - highlighting the importance of preparation, facing fears, finding support, and building resilience.
“When I trained to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, I never imagined how much that journey would mirror the process of building a business. Before this, I had successfully established a business development company, but preparing for Kilimanjaro taught me something deeper: the power of planning, perseverance, and personal growth. Both challenges demanded preventative measures, strategic planning, and the courage to step into uncertainty with confidence."
The Power of a Business Plan
"Scaling Kilimanjaro—or building a business—doesn’t happen by accident. Success requires a clear plan. I needed to understand the facts, anticipate potential obstacles, and identify the milestones that would mark my progress. Similarly, when starting a business, you need to clarify your goals, assess the challenges, and break the journey into manageable steps.
For Health Coaches just beginning their journey, this might mean outlining your ideal client, creating a marketing strategy, or building foundational systems. Like training for a climb, these steps may seem daunting at first, but each one brings you closer to your goal."
Facing Fear and Doubt
"One of the biggest lessons I learned was how to manage anxiety and self-doubt. On the mountain, doubts crept in: What if I don’t make it? What if I’m not strong enough? Similarly, in business, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by negative self-talk or question whether you’re capable of success.
The solution? Action. Taking even the smallest step forward—sending that email, creating that post, or having that first discovery call—helped quiet the noise in my head. It reminded me that progress is built through consistent effort, not perfection."
The Value of Support
I didn’t climb Kilimanjaro alone. A supportive team made all the difference, helping me stay motivated and prepared. The same is true in business. It’s easy to feel isolated when you’re working for yourself, and that isolation can fuel anxiety and procrastination. But when you share your journey with others—whether it’s a mentor, a peer group, or a coach—you find strength in the collective experience.
For Health Coaches, joining a community of like-minded professionals or working with a mentor can help you stay accountable, inspired, and connected to your “why.”
Building Resilience Through Routine
"Success on the mountain required discipline—a commitment to training and preparation, even on days when I didn’t feel like it. In business, the same principle applies. Some days, it takes every ounce of willpower to push forward, but having a routine makes it easier to stay consistent.
For me, working with a coach has been invaluable. They’ve helped me reflect on where I am, create a plan for what’s next, and build a routine that balances productivity with self-care. This combination of structure and self-compassion has been key to moving past feeling stuck."
The Journey is the Reward
"Whether climbing a mountain or building a business, it’s not just about reaching the summit or hitting a revenue goal. It’s about who you become along the way—stronger, more resilient, and more self-aware.
If you’re just starting as a Health Coach, remember this: the journey will challenge you, but it will also transform you. Embrace the process, lean on your support system, and take one step at a time. Just like Kilimanjaro, your business is a mountain worth climbing."
--
At HCA, we don’t just care about you during your studies - we are invested in your success once you have graduated and are out there practising health coaching in the world. That’s why we offer our exclusive Health Coaches Hub for HCA graduates. The Hub is designed to keep you motivated, enhance your skills, and help you continue growing your business.
If you’re ready to start your journey as a Health & Wellness Coach, join one of our free live introductory webinars to learn how HCA can support you every step of the way.
Bình luận