From Side Hustle to Full-Time Coach in 12 Months with Shannon Hanson

This week I'm sharing a conversation with women's fitness and transformation coach Shannon Hanson, who made the switch from restaurant manager to full-time coach in exactly one year.  In this episode, Shannon walks us through what happened during that year, including the parts most coaches skip over. She shares what it was like announcing her new career before she felt fully ready, why her early "I help everyone" approach fell flat, and how choosing to focus on women over 40 suddenly made outreach much easier. We got into the promotion that brought her nine new clients, the beta program that taught her a few hard lessons, and the day she realized she really didn't need her job anymore. In this episode, we talk about: What it really looks like to build a business from scratch Why niching down works even when it feels limiting How she got her first clients and the emotional rollercoaster that came with it Why picking a quit date helped her actually follow through 🎯 Want help making health coaching your full-time thing? Email Full-Time to [email protected] Find Shannon on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/hansonshannon/ 📱 Subscribe so you never miss an episode: Apple Podcasts – https://apple.co/2sOjwVA Spotify – https://spoti.fi/2Y0Eu1r YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/HealthCoachPowerCommunity

Ever feel pressure to fit into a certain "nutrition camp" or act like an online guru just to be seen as legit? Erin Power has been a practicing health coach for over a decade, working mostly with women in their 40s and 50s who've spent a lifetime dieting and are exhausted by the whole thing. She's also the coaching director at Primal Health Coach Institute, where she trains coaches in both the methodology and mindset of real-world coaching. In this episode, Erin and Michelle talk about coaching from a primal/ancestral perspective without falling into dogma, and what it really takes to help women lose weight in midlife. You'll hear how Erin intentionally works in longer coaching containers, what she does when clients don't lose weight right away, and why she believes most of the work is emotional—not just nutritional. You'll learn: What "primal" really means (and how it's evolved over the years) Why women 40+ often need more time and more compassion, not harsher rules The three emotions Erin coaches through most: frustration, discouragement, disappointment How she supports a plant-based client within a mostly animal-protein-forward philosophy Why repeating your core message online builds trust and attracts the right clients 🎯 Want help turning health coaching into your main thing? Email "Full-Time" to [email protected] 🔗 Connect With Erin Power: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eat.simple.erin Her Podcast: https://www.eatsimple.ca/podcast Health Coach Radio (Primal Health Coach Institute): https://www.primalhealthcoach.com/health-coach-radio/ 📱 Subscribe so you never miss an episode: Apple Podcasts – https://apple.co/2sOjwVA Spotify – https://spoti.fi/2Y0Eu1r YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/HealthCoachPowerCommunity

Have you ever thought about leaving your corporate job for something more meaningful? Michelle did exactly that when she left a career in advertising to become a health coach. After more than 15 years of running her own business, she is sharing the truth about what life looks like on the other side. You will learn: What makes coaching work feel so fulfilling The biggest challenges new coaches often face How to plan ahead before you leave your job Why small, consistent steps are better than big, risky ones How to know if self-employment is the right move for you 🎯 Want help planning your next step? Email "Corporate" to [email protected] 📱 Subscribe so you never miss an episode: Apple Podcasts – https://apple.co/2sOjwVA Spotify – https://spoti.fi/2Y0Eu1r YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/HealthCoachPowerCommunity

Have you ever wondered if it's really possible to make a living as a health coach?  Michelle has been there. She was working a steady corporate job, dreaming of something more meaningful, and wondering how to make it real. In this episode, she shares how she replaced her full-time income with health coaching, step by step. You'll learn how to earn while you still have your job, avoid burning out, and build a foundation for long-term success. You'll discover: • How to transition from employee to entrepreneur • Smart, simple ways to earn income right now • Why you need to think differently about coaching while working another job • The confidence-building habits that make quitting possible 🎯 See what it takes to go full-time as a health coach:Email "Full-Time" to [email protected] 📱 Subscribe so you never miss an episode: Apple Podcasts – https://apple.co/2sOjwVA Spotify – https://spoti.fi/2Y0Eu1r YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/HealthCoachPowerCommunity

If you've ever felt stuck because your program isn't "ready" or your audience isn't big enough, this episode is for you. Michelle breaks down how to start earning now with easy offers: small, simple ways to serve clients and make money before building your dream program. You'll discover how to test your niche, refine your messaging, and gain confidence without any tech setup, long launches, or overwhelm. Plus, she shares real examples from her clients who used 20-minute workshops, single sessions, and mini packages to start earning right away. 🎯 Get your free "10 Easy Offers You Can Earn With Right Away" → HealthCoachPower.com/Easy 📱 Subscribe so you never miss an episode: Apple Podcasts – https://apple.co/2sOjwVA Spotify – https://spoti.fi/2Y0Eu1r YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/HealthCoachPowerCommunity

Fifteen years ago, people didn't know what kale was. Now, Walmart is reformulating its store brands to remove synthetic food dyes. That's not a coincidence. It's proof that the health coaching movement is working. In this episode, Michelle reflects on how far we've come as a profession and what it means for your future. From one-on-one coaching sessions to national headlines, every conversation about real food and wellness has contributed to a massive cultural shift. You'll discover why this is the moment for health coaches to expand their reach, how to see your work's ripple effect, and the surprising opportunity to bridge audiences that were once skeptical. 🎯 Get your free "Roadmap to More Clients" 👉 HealthCoachPower.com/Clients 📱 Subscribe so you never miss an episode: Apple Podcasts – https://apple.co/2sOjwVA Spotify – https://spoti.fi/2Y0Eu1r YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/HealthCoachPowerCommunity

If you've ever felt like no one wants your health coaching services…you're onto something. And this episode is for you. The truth is, clients are not looking for health coaching. They are looking for relief from the problem that is keeping them up at night. When you shift from selling your process to focusing on the problem you solve, you will notice a huge difference in how people respond to you. Michelle shares the exact mindset and language shift that helped her go from awkward introductions to a thriving practice full of clients who were excited to work with her. Not because she was a coach, but because she had the solution they were searching for. 🎯 Grab your free "3-Part Formula to Get Clients" 👉 HealthCoachPower.com/Clients 📱 Subscribe so you never miss an episode: Apple Podcasts – https://apple.co/2sOjwVA Spotify – https://spoti.fi/2Y0Eu1r YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/HealthCoachPowerCommunity

Do you ever feel like you are doing everything in your business but still not making progress? That scattered, overwhelmed feeling is not a personal flaw. It is decision fatigue. In this episode, Michelle explains how to stop spinning your wheels and focus only on what grows your coaching business. You will learn a simple 10-minute exercise to clear the clutter, identify the few tasks that actually lead to clients and income, and set aside the rest. 🎯 Grab your free "3 Big Rocks" framework 👉 HealthCoachPower.com/Clients 📱 Subscribe so you never miss an episode: Apple Podcasts – https://apple.co/2sOjwVA Spotify – https://spoti.fi/2Y0Eu1r YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/HealthCoachPowerCommunity

Do your discovery calls often end with "I'll think about it" instead of "Where do I sign?" It can be demoralizing! In this episode, Michelle breaks down the three most common mistakes coaches make on discovery calls and shows you how to avoid them: Booking calls with anyone who asks (and why that wastes your time) Letting the client take over the call instead of guiding it Talking about your program or pricing too soon You'll learn how to set expectations, hold authority throughout the conversation, and invite people into your program with confidence. 🎯 Grab your free client application template 👉 HealthCoachPower.com/Application Subscribe so you never miss an episode! 📱 Subscribe so you never miss an episode: Apple Podcasts – https://apple.co/2sOjwVA Spotify – https://spoti.fi/2Y0Eu1r YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/HealthCoachPowerCommunity

Do you ever feel like you need another course, another certification, or another degree before you can really call yourself a health coach? Here's the truth: clients don't hire you because of your credentials. They hire you because they believe you get them, and because you make healthy living feel doable. In this episode, Michelle shares: Why your certifications are not what clients are looking for How a simple kale prep hack led to paying clients The surprising power of everyday, relatable tips What makes clients trust you and say YES How to confidently show up as the expert you already are 🎯 Grab the free 90-day blueprint to consistently sign clients 👉 HealthCoachPower.com/Blueprint 📱 Subscribe so you never miss an episode: Apple Podcasts – https://apple.co/2sOjwVA Spotify – https://spoti.fi/2Y0Eu1r YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/HealthCoachPowerCommunity