Alexandria, tell us more about how you became a health coach.
I began my health journey about two years ago.
Spring semester of 2018, I was in the middle of what was my busiest college semester.
A double music major at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with concentrations in Choral Music Ed and Vocal Performance, I was taking 23 credits, working on the weekends, and also preparing for my senior voice recital.
I’ve always been one to take on many things, but I was definitely testing my endurance this time and not really paying attention to the way I was treating my mind and body.
I'm typically incredibly energetic, outgoing, bubbly, and passionate.
Somehow, I got to a place where I felt like I was sleepwalking through my life.
One day, I woke up and almost snapped out of it, realizing I had gone on autopilot and was not operating as my authentic self.
I felt like a zombie.
Sluggish, exhausted, foggy, struggled to sleep due to stress and anxiety.
I was overweight and all my clothes were becoming too small. My confidence and self-esteem were beginning to diminish.
I thought I knew what I needed to do to get my health under control, but my packed schedule made it difficult to prioritize and I struggled to keep myself accountable, continuing to repeat patterns of self betrayal.
In a place of desperation and stuckness, emotional eating patterns and borderline food-addiction tendencies, the Universe shared with me the most amazing gift I had no idea would completely transform my life the way it did.
Because of my own coach’s courage to share her story with me and call to pay it forward, I have been able to completely shift my wellbeing for the better and become the Positive Dominant Force in my life.
I partnered with my coach during the Summer of 2018 and joined our clinically proven lifestyle and personal development program.
Three weeks in, I’d already noticed such amazing results, was learning so much, and felt energized with a heightened sense of mental clarity.
The fog was lifting and I began feeling like myself again, better than I’d ever felt before.
I lost 17 lbs my first five weeks on plan and went on to lose 25 lbs overall before transitioning to optimize.
Becoming a coach has not only been the best accountability I can think of, but it fills my heart with joy knowing I can listen to and walk alongside others who are ready to elevate their life and wellbeing for the better.
I’ve maintained my healthy weight for two years now, and I'm continuing to optimize, focusing on the MINDSET shift specifically.
Coaching helps keep me accountable to my goals, I'm inspired by my clients every day more than they realize.
I gain such fulfillment from this work and have a ton of fun!
It’s also a huge privilege working with other coaches on my team assisting them in growing their independent business and watching them create massive impact on their own communities as well.
Coaching brings an amazing energy to my life and most of the time it doesn’t even feel like work.
I had NO idea this was something I’d become so truly passionate about.
You are truly a jack of all trades; tell us more about how you got into singing?
I’ve always been into the arts and fueled the creative side of me.
I’m grateful my parents always encouraged me to be uniquely myself and follow my passions.
My dad is a professional audio engineer and has worked with many well known artists, I’ve been surrounded by music my whole life.
I used to put on little shows in my dad’s basement with my friends, lip syncing to my favorite songs and choreographing dance numbers.
Started singing in a choir when I was in fourth grade with the Downers Grove Children’s Choir in Illinois.
Moving through middle and high school, I was heavily involved in choir, theatre, took private voice and piano lessons, open mic nights with my uncle, and even had the opportunity to sing in the Illinois Music Educators Association (ILMA) All-State Honors Choir.
Huge shout out to my choir directors, Beth O’Riordan and Dr. Frank Piekarz for supporting and inspiring me to pursue becoming a music teacher.
Music plays a large role in my life as I attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for degrees both in Choral Music Education and Vocal Performance.
I have a heavy classical music background, studying with Professor Dawn Harris, and performed in multiple operas through the School of Music at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.
I sang with the UI Women’s Glee Club for five semesters under the direction of Andrea Solya and nine semesters singing with the UI Black Chorus, directed by none other than the illustrious, Dr. Ollie Watts-Davis.
I'm incredibly grateful for my experiences at UIUC, as well as my supplemental teacher training through the Golden Apple Scholars program.
Last year, I completed my first year of teaching PreK-8th grade General Music with Chicago Public Schools.
Going into my second year, I'm continuing to lay the foundation and build a music program at my school, as they didn't have one before.
Finally, I teach private voice and beginner piano lessons, and sing with the Chicago based mixed choir ensemble, Allegrezza under the direction of, Stephen Edwards.
I've recently begun taking private lessons again for the first time in almost two years and I'm excited to grow my musicality and expand my technique in singing multiple styles.
What would you say to aspiring health coaches who look up to your contribution to health/wellness?
Make sure that whatever you do, you do because you truly believe in the mission and purpose of what you do.
I’m an independent coach for a clinically proven lifestyle and personal development program that truly works and has served over 150 million people within our organization.
Health is not all about releasing weight and exercise.
Yes, being at a healthy weight is important because being overweight or obese can cause a plethora of issues, and of course moving your body is important.
But it is SO much more than that.
I coach others from a holistic standpoint.
Our mindset, surroundings, sleep, nutrition and hydration are also of utmost importance.
I use a proven system that creates relatively predictable results, engage people in a community of individuals all focused on creating optimal wellbeing in mind, body and finances.
It also connects clients to a top of the line education system that helps us create new healthy habits and dismantle personal patterns and behaviors that hold us back, and team coach them with my mentorship, walking alongside them every step of the way.
When it comes to growing your business... your business will only grow as far as your own personal development has gone, and oftentimes, we are the biggest thing standing in our own way.
We’ve got to practice being kind and patient with our own process, working to shed self-limiting beliefs and negative thought narratives along the way.
If you can cultivate a growth mindset, become a life-long learner, practice pouring love, belief and compassion into others, and take ACTION towards your goals, you will pave the way towards where you want to go.
Do you have anything new or upcoming we can expect to see from you?
I'm currently seeking to expand my client base, as well sponsor more coaching partners who are looking to create a MASSIVE impact and be in business FOR themselves, not by themselves.
My organization provides free training and mentorship, we call it “just in time” training.
All the resources are available to you, you take your business at your own pace.
Currently working with four new coaches to help them positively transform others and create time and financial freedom for themselves.
I will soon be working with a friend of my dad’s who is releasing her new album at the beginning of 2021.
We recently had a meeting downtown Chicago to discuss the filming of an upcoming music video of hers.
I'm a Hula Hoop dancer, as of over three years now, and she requested that for me to dance in her video.
I'm extremely excited about this opportunity and I'm hoping to explore more performing opportunities like this.
Lastly, I have dreams and aspirations of opening a music venue/academy called "Stardust City" in my future.
I'm using my experiences now to grow me into the person I need to be to manifest this into my outer world, and creating business goals to support me in this endeavor financially.
When it happens, I’ll be sure to let you know!
Must be present in the current moment and continue putting one foot in front of the other.
Follow Alexandria:
Instagram: @aaburton8
Instagram Flow Arts: @hoopityhoopwhoopityscoop
Facebook: @aaburton8