Today we’d like to introduce you to Lorraine Goodwin.
Hi Lorraine, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Lorraine Goodwin and at 16 I made a decision that I will never regret- it has never let me down and has improved my life in every way… I decided to get healthy! Over the past 40 years I have been through many stresses and struggles and, thanks to my health, I was able to deal with them powerfully. I now enjoy a life full of energy, vitality and joy and want to help others become empowered to take control of their health and do the same.
At first the gym was all about abs, and losing weight. But a big part of my journey has been about healing. It’s about having one hour where no one can take your power. When everything felt out of control, during and after my divorce, the gym is where I found structure. It is where I remembered who I was….. Strong…. Capable…. Disciplined! The gym didn’t change my body first, it changed my mind. I desperately want to teach people this !
It was very difficult after my divorce. I was basically a single mom trying to get my 3 kids to and from school and sports… working 3 and 4 jobs at a time to make ends meet.
5 years later I got hired full time at the local hospital wellness center. Although the pay wasn’t great and I had to keep a small part time job as well, it provided me with a steady paycheck, health benefits for my kids and I, and a wonderful group of coworkers and members to work with. And, I was doing what I really loved. I continued to work on my strength & fitness as well as helping countless others with theirs. I worked with many clients after injury, rehab and after being diagnosed with life changing chronic diseases and taught a dozen various classes a week. It kept me strong, physically and mentally and always reminded me to be grateful for my health. Being physically and mentally strong helped me navigate through many stresses… including almost losing my oldest daughter to a serious car accident. I honestly think those 6 months were the most difficult time on my life.
Fast forward to COVID… The hospital gym closed down and did not reopen. This abrupt closure really caught me off guard and I felt like the rug was pulled out from under me, AGAIN. I took the safe route and secured a full-time role as the general manager of a local Planet Fitness. 9 months into it, I decided that this was not the place for me. I truly was put on this Earth to do what I do… Work one on one with people to help them improve their quality of life through regular physical exercise.
I have always wanted to create my own fitness/wellness business but always had to provide stability for my kids. But, at this point in time, my kids were pretty self-sufficient. I thought about it and then took the next 6 months, while working at Planet, to plan, prepare and save to start my own business. I gave my notice at Planet Fitness and after leaving, spent the next 6 months earning an additional certification, organizing my business and contacting old clients who had been reaching out to me for years urging me to start training again. I was scared to death… It was a huge leap of faith, in myself… But I moved forward with it and gave it my all. It started off slowly but within 2 years I had a full book of clients !
I truly believe that the first half of your life is about becoming who you needed to be to survive. The second half is about unraveling everything that no longer aligns with your soul’s purpose. After a certain age, you are no longer a product of your environment or how you were raised. It’s a personal choice to live the way you do. At some point blaming your past becomes a distraction from your future. Healing is your responsibility. Growth is your decision. I try to get these points across to my clients and when the weight on their shoulders feels heavy, I help them to get stronger to hold it. I help my clients embrace a sustainable, energetic, fit lifestyle that serves them and supports emotional and mental balance and well-being.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I am thankful, NOW, for the struggles I encountered as I feel it helped to get me where I am. My struggles taught me how to dance in the rain rather than just waiting for the storms to stop. One of my favorite sayings is “you either win or you learn”. I “learned” a lot! Starting my fitness business when I first got divorced was not an option. I had even looked at locations but my divorce left me very vulnerable and broke. I really struggled to make a comfortable life for my kids. I had to work A LOT which did not leave me with much free time. Getting them to and from school, sports practices, games and tournaments was challenging and I needed steady pay and benefits… My life was definitely all about my kids and I needed to be financially secure… for them. It took me 15 years, lots of stress, 3 grown children and 3 grandchildren to get the courage to venture out into my own business.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about EPIC Health and Wellness ?
People need to understand that their health is an investment, not an expense. There are many “personal trainers” out there. EPIC Health & Wellness does much more than teach people how to exercise. I chose the name of my business with intention. After contemplating on many, many different names I chose EPIC Health & Wellness…
Exclusive Personal Integrative Coaching…
EPIC !
I teach people that there is more to a healthy life then just exercise…. Proper hydration, rest and sleep, good nutrition, stress management, mental focus and daily exercise are all pieces of the wellness puzzle. I look at their whole picture and working around injuries and limitations, we work on integrating their puzzle pieces…. every single person is different… it really is personal. I plant seeds to direct them to paths of success. I help them implement lifestyle changes to improve their overall health and well being. We work on new habits and face challenges together to create a sustainable path to exceptional health and wellness and make their body and mind a pleasant place to inhabit. I am very proud and grateful to be helping people improve their quality of life!
I continue to stay current with my certifications with ACE, NSCA & IIN by completing continuing education every 2 years.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up I wasn’t popular, probably because I was chubby and self conscience. I grew up in an Italian family where food was the center of every celebration and if there wasn’t enough left over for another whole meal, you didn’t cook enough, lol. Feeling unfit, unhappy and out of shape pushed me to check out the local fitness center, when I was about 15. This is where my journey into fitness and healthier eating began and I never looked back.
As a kid I loved crafts… I still do. I pride myself on being a good decorator and love to up cycle old furniture in my spare time. I have helped friends decorate their homes and have been paid to stage a few houses for sale as side jobs in the past. I am now concentrating on my own home and many of my furniture pieces are ones I have up cycled.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.epichealthcoach.com
