Hidden Gems: Meet Holland Smith

Today we’d like to introduce you to Holland Smith.

Hi Holland, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ll be honest. I always struggled to find a passion. I always believed I was supposed to be doing all the things everyone else around me was doing, yet I could never understand why I was so unhappy. I attended the U of A for what I thought was my dream career, broadcast journalism.

But during this time, I began to develop some nasty health problems. I had been dealing with on and off autoimmune problems my entire life. Whenever I would go into the doctor, they would send me home with another prescription and another way to patch up my problems. I remember being so frustrated at one point that I just left the doctor’s office and threw out my prescriptions. There had to be another answer, right? That was the turning point for me.

I began researching and reading ways to heal my body from the inside out. I formed an amazing relationship with a naturopath in Scottsdale, AZ and she taught me all about the way food and lifestyle choices impact your overall health. I became so fascinated with how much little changes began to change me life and my health. So much so that I wanted to share it with everyone!

I decided that I wanted to pursue a career in health in wellness even after finishing my college degree in journalism. I became a certified health coach and a cycling coach so that I could help and encourage others. My passion is teaching, encouraging, and uplifting the people around me to achieve goals that they never believed possible. I currently run my own health coaching practice out of my home and I hope to watch it grow and flourish! Your wildest dreams are within reach; it’s all about having the right support system.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. I wish I hadn’t spent so much time trying to force myself into a career box that wasn’t built for me or my strengths. I worked a corporate job for far too long and was just absolutely miserable. The entire time I was at that job, I was brainstorming ways to leave and what I would want to do if I left. For a while, I tried to convince myself if I worked my way up high enough in the company, I would feel better, but that’s just not the case. I thought if I had the big fancy corner office, my life would be complete but it just drained the life out of me. All the money in the world won’t make you happy if you’re miserable! I’m a creative so my mind is always moving with new ideas and new.

For quite some time, I convinced myself I could never be a fitness instructor because I didn’t feel I looked the right way. SO FALSE. I had wanted to teach spin for so long but I held myself back from doing it for about two years because I convinced myself I didn’t fit the mold. Especially for women, this is such a hard one. I had to come to the realization that I could be in any career field no matter how I looked or how much I weighed. I am so glad of all things I didn’t let my Physical appearance hold me back.

I still struggle with imposter syndrome everyday. I occasionally just feel like I am not cut out for being a business owner at such a young age. I find myself getting lost in how other health and fitness professionals are and sometimes I feel like I can’t compare. My advice is to feel the fear and do it anyway! You are in the driver’s seat. You decide where to go. There is no one else like you. Bring what you have to the table. Don’t be like everyone else in your field. People want different; show them something new. Don’t let that fear win!

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
After years of battling autoimmune health problems and hormone imbalance while having little to no answers from doctors, I decided to take my health into my own hands. There is always a time and place for medical intervention, but that just wasn’t what I needed. I didn’t need another Dr. to write me a prescription for anti-depressants; what I needed was for someone to explain that what I was putting into my body was impacting my overall well-being. Food is medicine. If I had known that my whole life, I wouldn’t have struggled so hard for so long. I felt like I was always battling something. Now I know I have the power to fuel my body in the way it needs to be fueled. Caring for yourself and putting yourself first is medicine. I am here to help if you are feeling overwhelmed and need help with stress management, proper nutrition, and exercise. My priority is to make sure you leave our sessions feeling re-energized and focused. If you are looking to have more energy, more vitality, more confidence, and more knowledge on the foods that you are putting in your body, I am here to help. Need some encouragement and education on your journey? That’s where I come in. Let’s take this wellness adventure together!

I am proud of the fact that I base my program around simplicity. Health doesn’t have to be a challenge. Diet culture makes everything to do with wellness seem unattainable. My program is not weight loss-based (unless that is your own personal goal). My motto is avoid diet culture at all costs. I am not here to put you on another diet or recommend another weight loss program. I am here to teach you about how to fuel your body and achieve your goals. What I often see is that when people learn how to properly fuel their bodies, weights loss often follows naturally. At the end of the day, I want everyone to feel comfortable in their own skin. I want everyone to feel like their best and healthiest selves no matter what their weight is. Learning how to fuel the body you have is the first step. I offer a variety of different coaching programs and packages based upon my client’s goals and expectations!

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Follow me on Instagram; I post loads of free information. My Instagram is really a sneak peak of my coaching program. It’s a really great way to learn what I’m all about and get a feel for my personality. I love to collaborate on Instagram and it’s a great way to build community. Your support on Instagram means the world to me as it is a source of my income as well!

Instagram: @Hollandlikethe_country_, Subscribe to my posts and newsletter on my website!
Website: Hollandlikethecountry.com, Tik Tok: @hollsysmith126, Facebook: Holland Scattergood Smith. Come ride with me at Cycle Ave in Gilbert, AZ: https://cycle-ave.com

Contact Info:

• Email: hollandssmith3@gmail.com
• Website: https://hollandlikethecountry.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollandlikethe_country_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hollsysmith126
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/holland-scattergood

Image Credits
Lacie Wingate: Lacie Photography Jared Seger: Jared Seger Photo Chelsea Gruenwald: Chelsea Gee Photography