Today we’d like to introduce you to Molly Middleton.
Molly, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve always had a soft spot for helping others. In fact, as a kid, my career dream of owning a retirement home manifested after seeing what joy I could bring from the times I would volunteer throughout my youth. Understanding that I wouldn’t be able to own a retirement home right out of college, I took the path of studying human resources management. I loved the idea of being a resource to those in the workplace, almost like a counselor, and wanted to do what I could to make others’ work lives more enjoyable.
In conjunction with college years already being some of the most challenging, I received several health diagnoses and struggled with my own wellbeing for many years. I spent more time, money, and resources in doctor’s offices feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and defeated. I’d never wish that on anyone. My mental health declined rapidly and drastically. When thinking back to the times that I was in a good place, the theme was a focus on my spiritual health. That’s when it clicked for me that our mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical health being in alignment is the answer. During a few sleepless nights, I began researching careers in the health and fitness industry. I found health coaching and was immediately intrigued. I could combine my passion for helping others feel truly well, reach their individual goals, and love themselves along with this newfound enthusiasm for holistic, fully embodied health.
Over the course of a year, I studied my heart out. I became certified and took on a few clients. There have already been many iterations of 4UHC and I am prepared for many more. Since then, I’ve also become a Certified Yoga Instructor and Fitness Nutrition Specialist. The health and fitness industry is ever-changing and always evolving with the continuum of research, which is one of my favorite things about it. It’s been quite the journey, and will continue to be. I’m excited for it!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I wish! If there is someone who’s never struggled to reach their goals, I’d love to be a fly on the wall to a day in their life – that’s incredible!
My journey began four years ago, and because I didn’t previously have a background in health and wellness when I told those closest to me that I was going after this dream, there were some conflicting reactions. I also began studying for my health coach certification when it was not a very widely known career. Therefore, I didn’t have many others to reach out to for mentorship opportunities. The road looked a lot like me studying and trying to figure out how to start a business on my own at a young age. It was also being a college kid staying home weekend nights to research and watch webinars, and doing many other ‘unpopular’ things to achieve this goal I set for myself. On top of that, not many people know this, but I actually failed my certification exam by one point the first time I took it. I wondered if that was a sign that I shouldn’t be in the career and almost quit pursuing this dream.
The second time I took it, I passed with flying colors. If I would have listened to the doubt from the setback I had, I wouldn’t have helped the handfuls of clients that I have into advocacy of their own health and happiness. There was also a time period during these past few years where I was hospitalized for kidney stones. I had lost my full-time job at the time and had to pause on this work altogether. It’s been an intense ride, and the whole journey has looked like falling down and scraping my knees in order to get a little stronger and get back up along the way. I am better for it, though. All of this to say – whatever your goals, believe in them and begin to show, you’ll reap the fruits of your labor in due time.
We’d love to hear more about 4 You Health Coaching.
4UHC (4 You Health Coaching) is on a mission to change the way you view health and wellness. Our name derives from the belief that victory in creating lifestyle changes comes from the root motivation being 4 You, for the individual themself. We advocate for a four-pillar approach to overall wellness, including mental, spiritual, physical, and emotional health and the synchronicity of those four pillars. Not solely focused on weight or physical appearance, 4UHC champions a holistic approach to wellness, making lifestyle modifications for long term and sustainable success.
Some of our most successful clients came to us with a desire strictly for weight loss, and in our programming additionally focused on the other pillars of their overall wellness. In doing so, their mentality was shifted in the way they view themselves and their health, and physical results became a byproduct. We don’t believe you have to significantly restrict food intake, push yourself beyond limits during exercise, and live miserably to maintain true health and happiness. What sets us apart is the fact that we’re a health and wellness coaching business that provides value well beyond just that of nutrition and exercise planning.
You’ll also notice in reading through the blogs on our website that many posts involve travel tips, bachelorette party weekends, different routines of mine, and health hacks, along with other topics related to my life. I do so because my health and happiness is 100% tied to my lifestyle. For example, traveling is paramount for me. Seeing new places, exploring with friends and family, learning about new cultures and areas, and spending money on myself are ways that I keep my mental health in check. I practice what I preach to clients.
What were you like growing up?
As the oldest of four, I think the oldest child stereotypes are true in the sense that I was definitely the bossy one who wanted things done my way, along with being the perfectionist who put pressure on themself to succeed. I definitely think this plays out in the goals I set for myself and what I have achieved in my life thus far. My sister is the second child so we grew up very close. We now laugh because I was the troublemaker of the two of us when we were younger, and then calmed down as I got older and she’s the complete opposite (not that she’s a troublemaker now, but you get the gist).
I’d always been interested in sports, activity, and just being outside. This still rings true. From a young age, nature and movement gave me energy. Spending time with and talking to my grandparents regularly was and still is important to me. This is also partly where the interest in retirement communities and sustained health came from. I coupled many of my interests and early on knew what type of work I wanted to get into. And I’m so proud to say that I have done just that.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.4uhc.com
- Phone: 214-908-0076
- Email: mmiddleton1515@aol.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/4youhealthcoaching/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/4youhealthcoaching
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/mollymiddletonn
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=ERO7c3liVxQpDAKXT6-wbw
Image Credit:
Amanda Baca Photography, two pictures in black
Suggest a story: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
