Today we’d like to introduce you to Austina Brittain.
Hi Austina, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in rural Kentucky, raised by a single mom, surrounded by fried chicken, tobacco fields, and simple living. After high school, I joined the military to pay for college, and somewhere along that journey—after becoming a mom and reading The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren—I felt a clear calling to become a nurse.
My nursing career began in Fort Worth as a stroke nurse, where I witnessed firsthand how life-altering a single health event can be—not just for patients, but for their entire families. At the time, I thought I was “healthy enough,” but a routine health fair told a different story: rising blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and creeping weight gain. When my doctor prescribed medication without discussion, something in me decided to take a different path.
That decision led me deep into lifestyle change and ultimately to becoming a board-certified nurse coach. As my own health transformed—energy, labs, skin, weight—people around me started asking questions. Sharing what I’d learned lit me up. I realized my true purpose was to meet people where they are and guide them toward lasting health—physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.
In the hospital, I only had very little time to discharge a patient home with “don’t have another stroke” instructions. Now, I get to walk alongside clients, helping them untangle habits, mindsets, and everyday choices to create real, sustainable change. That’s where God has led me—and I’m grateful to be here.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road. But honestly, I don’t think it was meant to be. Every challenge has shaped who I am and why I do this work.
I grew up in a tiny town in Kentucky, and joining the military was my way to see more. My first flight, to boot camp—it was all terrifying, but it gave me grit and showed me there was more waiting for me. My childhood came with its own challenges, including divorce, and a few years ago I lost my grandmother—my best friend and biggest cheerleader. That loss was hard, but it lit a fire in me to live in a way that would make her proud.
Nursing school was another kind of boot camp. It pushed me to my limits, but I thrived, even earning the “Compassion in Action” award awarded by my peers. Working as a stroke nurse was emotionally intense. I’m deeply empathetic, and watching families navigate the aftermath of strokes fueled my passion to help people prevent those moments altogether.
Starting my business was a whole new leap. I wasn’t raised to be an entrepreneur—I was raised to work hard, clock in and out, and collect a steady paycheck. Building emPOWER yourHEALTH,LLC meant learning everything from scratch, often alone, often scared. Putting myself out there—on social media, our local radio station, in clinics, in churches—has required a different kind of courage.
And growing up in a traditional, rural community meant facing plenty of teasing for choosing a different lifestyle. But I knew following the crowd wasn’t the way to health.
So no, it hasn’t been smooth. But every bump—military life, childhood struggles, personal loss, nursing, entrepreneurship—has strengthened my purpose and brought me right here.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about emPOWER yourHEALTH, LLC?
I’m a transformational health coach and registered nurse, and my mission is simple but powerful: to help people ignite their purpose through a healthy lifestyle that fuels their fire.
Through emPOWER yourHEALTH, LLC, I work with individuals, couples, and groups across the U.S., offering private coaching, group programs, workshops, and educational classes. My goal is to help people take control of their health in a way that feels doable, personal, and deeply meaningful—not overwhelming.
What sets my approach apart is the mix of real-world experience and heart behind it. I grew up facing many of the same struggles my clients deal with today. As a stroke nurse and oncology nurse, I’ve witnessed firsthand how lifestyle choices impact health, and within my own family, I’ve seen the toll of diabetes, obesity, dementia & heart disease. Add to that my military background, and you get a coaching style that’s both motivating and deeply compassionate—pushing people further than they think they can go, but always with genuine & humble care.
I often tell my clients it’s like I’m holding a “magic pill” in my hand—not a quick fix, but a way of living that can reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and strokes. Watching people realize how good they’re capable of feeling is what fuels me. I believe God called me to this work, and it’s my purpose to create a ripple effect—helping people live optimally so they can fully live out their own purpose.
Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is authenticity. I don’t just talk about health; I live it. I stay vulnerable in my own struggles and share how I work through them. My clients know I walk the walk. They describe me as easy to talk to, a great listener, and genuinely encouraging. I’ve built my business on those values, and years later, they still hold true.
My ideal clients are often overwhelmed by the endless health advice and quick fixes out there. Many are on medications for blood pressure, cholesterol, or diabetes. Others want to avoid ever being told they need to go on medications and live optimally. They’ve tried different programs, gotten off track, and felt stuck in a frustrating cycle of starts and stops.
But underneath that frustration is something deeper: they see the bigger picture. They want to show up fully for their families—not just now, but for years to come. They want to be active, vibrant, and present as their kids grow up and their grandkids come along. They don’t want to be sitting on the sidelines watching life happen; they want to be in it—hiking, traveling, playing, and living fully without being held back by preventable health conditions.
That’s where I come in. I help them cut through the noise and build a lifestyle that isn’t complicated or punishing—no calorie counting, no boot camps—just real, lasting change from the inside out. We work step by step, focusing on vision, mindset, and sustainable habits that support them physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was an outgoing tomboy with a wild streak and a big heart. If I wasn’t climbing trees, I was riding my big wheel down the road like it was a race track, shooting hoops and always playing with a dog or a cat. Music of every kind filled my world, and I loved spending time with my Mammaw Gracie—she was my anchor and my person.
My mom would probably describe me as responsible, determined, and maybe just a bit rebellious during those teenage years. I made good grades and worked hard—spending my summers in the tobacco fields and my evenings working in fast food joints—but I also knew how to have fun and push a few boundaries along the way.
Health wasn’t really on my radar then. My lunches were often Spam, Vienna sausages, or a cold can of SpaghettiOs. We had a huge garden, and my mom was an incredible cook, but most of our veggies ended up Kentucky-style: fried, covered in gravy, buried under cheese, or swimming in something creamy and good.
At heart, I was happiest outside—barefoot, busy, and soaking up every bit of life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.empoweryourhealthrn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinabrittain/
- Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/groups/2642753695977722/
Image Credits
Gina Lewis with Studio 73
