Jennifer Schmeisser is one of the coaches that we found this month and we did a little interview with her. She impressed us with her positivity and passion to create a positive change in the world and in people’s lives.
Her journey haven’t been smooth. But she managed to turn her personal struggles into a powerful source of guidance for others. With a background shaped by the demands of caregiving, personal trauma, and a relentless pursuit of wellness, she has transformed her own experiences into a profound passion for helping others navigate their health journeys. Certified by top organizations like the International Coaching Federation and Duke University, she blends her extensive education with personal insight, offering a holistic and compassionate coaching approach.
Her coaching is built on a foundation of resilience, empathy, and innovation, integrating cutting edge wellness strategies and personalized assessments to address each client’s unique needs. By combining evidence based practices with the latest trends in wellness, she empowers clients to take charge of their health, develop actionable strategies, and build mental resilience.
Her emphasis on self compassion and self awareness helps clients overcome obstacles, enabling them to advocate for their health with confidence and clarity. This approach not only fosters better physical health but also nurtures emotional well being, making her a trusted guide in the journey toward a balanced, healthier life. Here is what she said…
Meet Life Coach Jennifer Schmeisser:
Name: Jennifer Schmeisser
Pillar: The Mind, The Body
Who is this coach for: Anyone who wants to gain clarity and make healthier lifestyle choices to achieve ultimate wellbeing.
How they can help: By using various tools and techniques from Positive Psychology as well as certain Assessments like the Duke Personal Health and Wellness Assessment to create personalized plans and determine areas for improvement.
First of all, how are you and your family doing after these Pandemic times?
My family and I are doing well, and we are grateful for our health and resilience during these challenging times.
The pandemic has provided us with an opportunity to reconnect on a deeper level, prioritize self care, and focus on what truly matters.
It has also given me a renewed appreciation for the importance of holistic health and wellness, which I now bring into my coaching practice with even greater passion and understanding.
How did the coronavirus pandemic affect your clients? Did it affect you at all?
The pandemic brought significant challenges for many of my clients, including increased stress, disruptions to routines, and difficulties in maintaining their health goals.
It underscored the importance of adaptability and resilience.
For me, it was a period of reflection and growth, reinforcing my commitment to supporting clients through uncertainty and enhancing my coaching methods to better address these evolving needs.
In retrospect, this time period for me was a gift.
A gift of time to learn, explore my community walking the neighborhood, stop to smell flowers, hike our many Metro parks, and State parks, read, fall back in love with 1000 piece puzzles, remember how to crochet, become more mindful of the chopping, simmering and all that comes with cooking healthy meals at home.
What are the biggest lessons that you learned in this pandemic?
The pandemic taught me the importance of flexibility, resilience, and self compassion.
It highlighted the value of maintaining a balanced perspective and the need to adapt quickly to changing circumstances.
Most importantly, it reinforced the significance of community and connection in overcoming challenges and achieving wellness.
Also falling back in love with some old habits, puzzles, crochet, reading, everything outdoors, new habits cooking new recipes because I had the time to innovate, have a friend or two over for game night, going back to school was epic challenge and epic reward.
I hope to always stay curious and adventurous, keeps me young.
The Origin:
Tell us about you, your career, how you started with your coaching career?
My journey into health and wellness coaching began from a deep personal quest for balance and well being.
After encountering the gaps in traditional healthcare, particularly in managing chronic conditions and achieving a holistic sense of health, I was driven to make a change.
Years of overwhelming stress as a caregiver for my son with autism left me sleep deprived and dealing with elevated WBC levels.
It became clear that addressing these challenges was crucial for my own well being.
Navigating this difficult period, I realized that making significant lifestyle changes required an initiative taking, hands on approach.
Inspired to have influence, I pursued certification and training to become a Personal Coach through the International Coaching Federation (ICF) as an Associate Certified Coach (ACC).
My curiosity and compassion for a more comprehensive support system led me to further education, culminating in my graduation from Duke University’s Integrative Health and Well Being Coach Training.
Driven by a desire to deepen my expertise, I dedicated over four hundred hours to studying for the National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coaching exam and achieved additional certification in Positive Intelligence.
As a member of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM), I have built a foundation of knowledge and experience to support others in their wellness journeys.
This extensive training and certification have equipped me to offer a diverse and well rounded coaching experience through my LLC.
My background and education have enriched my approach, blending practical experience with a deep commitment to personal empowerment and holistic health.
I am passionate about helping others navigate their wellness journeys with the same dedication and empathy that guided my path to becoming a coach.
What was your biggest obstacle that you had to overcome in your life that made you who you are today?
Growing up in an alcoholic family, I moved out at 18 to finish high school with the support of my Aunt and Uncle.
This transition was a pivotal turning point in my life.
Looking back, I feel incredibly fortunate to have avoided physical or sexual harm during those challenging years.
Instead, I recognize that this period was crucial in developing foundational resilience and adaptive skills that have served me well throughout my life.
Raising my amazing son with autism while navigating a demanding career, coping with childhood trauma, enduring an imperfect marriage, and eventually going through a divorce, I discovered a profound inner strength and beauty.
I was very blessed with an amazing daughter with a heart of gold, was a Girl scout leader for 9 years and supported her passions in community service with a proud heart.
Despite any setbacks, bumps in the road and (or) hardships, along with the often tiny joys, I realized always I was grateful, blessed and meant for a life of service to others.
I believe the road bumps are where you gain character, these are opportunities and gifts to learn, alter my perspective to see a different view.
I have remained a natural optimist, seeing the glass as half full, thriving on minimal sleep, and practicing gratitude.
Through it all, I have continued to find joy and purpose in serving others.
These experiences have deeply shaped my approach to health and wellness coaching, allowing me to connect with clients on a profound level.
My journey through personal challenges and triumphs has equipped me with unique insights and a deep commitment to supporting others in their own paths to well being.
The Coaching Style:
How do you innovate with coaching your clients?
Innovation in my coaching practice comes from continually adapting to latest information and tailoring approaches to meet each client’s unique needs.
I integrate cutting edge wellness strategies, such as:
1. Customized Assessments: Utilizing tools like the Duke Personal Health and Wellness Assessment to create personalized plans.
2. Positive Intelligence: Applying techniques to enhance clients’ mental resilience and self awareness. Embody new habits, actions, thoughts, and beliefs. Model prior successes, utilize role models.
3. Technology Integration: Offering virtual coaching via zoom, FB, clients may prefer secure phone conversation (talking without video), locally potential in person coaching and engaging with clients through other interactive platforms like Facebook Groups, Google meetings.
4. Continuous Learning: Staying updated with my extensive credentials as well as the latest research, trends, and resources to provide fresh, evidence based strategies.
What’s unique about your coaching approach?
My coaching approach is unique in its emphasis on holistic wellness and self compassion and self kindness.
I combine evidence based practices with a compassionate, personalized approach, using tools like the Duke Assessment and Positive Intelligence techniques.
I also integrate flexible coaching formats and stay engaged with the latest research to provide tailored support.
Maintaining a mindset of less judgement and more curiosity.
What benefits do your clients get after working with you?
Clients benefit from a personalized and comprehensive approach that addresses their unique needs and goals.
They gain clarity on their health objectives, develop actionable strategies, and receive ongoing support and accountability.
Clients often report improved well being, increased self awareness, and a greater sense of empowerment to sustain their health improvements.
Self advocacy and taking control of their health strategies, questioning health providers, and always following their intuition.
Do you use any specific tools to be efficient with your clients?
Yes, I use various tools to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, including:
- Coaching Platforms: For scheduling and tracking progress. Making a variety of metrics.
- Assessment Tools: Like the Duke Personal Health and Wellness Assessment for personalized insights. Saboteurs Assessment, what may be getting in your way?
- Virtual Hippa Compliant Meeting Software: Such as Zoom for remote sessions.
- Resource Libraries: For sharing valuable information and updates.
The Impact:
If you had a super megaphone that, when you speak into, the whole world will hear your message, what would you say?
I 100% would say: “Prioritize kindness. It is Free, pass it on, Pass it Inward and toward yourself and others. Embrace holistic well being and remember that every small positive actioneven just 1% can create a ripple effect of change. Together, we can build a more compassionate, healthier world.”
What is the greatest lesson you have learned in your life?
The greatest lesson I have learned is that true wellness encompasses more than just physical health, it involves emotional, mental, and social well being.
Integrating all aspects of health into a cohesive approach is crucial for achieving lasting, meaningful change.
Most definitely people need people.
I created Meetup group called with my sense of humor: Jennifer’s Shenangin Hiking series.
Hikes and walks paired with those in our metro parks, some ended with soup or hot cocoa too!
I took my son’s spinner from Twister and made spinner give away for hand wipes, a new toothbrush, a candle or a back scratcher (Big ticket items $$ I bought from the dollar store LOL made it so much fun).
I would ask questions about favorite childhood toys and many happy stories and memories ensured about Easybake ovens, trains, legos… pure joy for all so it was a great time for all.
Even while people had to show proof of vaccine, wear a mask, drive in snow and ice I would have 40+ strangers from all over Ohio come, we need one another.
We all thrive with connection and common interests, socializing and sharing in the community experience and of course outdoors with a little Mother Nature using all our senses.
Noting what works for others may not work for me or a client, we are all so unique and meant to be exactly as we are and appreciate our own worth and individualism and of course we all benefit from some levity, my hilarious sense of humor… well that is subjective lol.
Your final thoughts?
My final thoughts.
I am so happy to be in the wellness space.
It is a critical time for many.
I feel it is the second wave of adjustments socially.
People are now not quite sure or as confident about their social skills, with emotional and mental health on top of their physical well being and lifestyle habits I am aimed at getting people, families friends outside for some fresh air and Mother nature, benevolence and healing, as well as spiritual gifts remedy is getting back outside with a sense of awe and wonder.
My ultimate “final” thoughts are that health and wellness are deeply personal journeys that benefit from a compassionate and holistic approach.
By embracing kindness, staying adaptable, and focusing on continuous growth, we can all make meaningful strides toward our well being goals.
I am here to support and guide you every step of the way, helping you achieve a balanced, fulfilling life.
It’s never about me or my agenda.
I am not a therapist nor a consultant but a partner, a guide on the side.
Where Can You Find Jennifer Schmeisser?
If you liked this interview and if you would love to see how Coach Jennifer can help you make better health and lifestyle choices, schedule a FREE consultation call with her here. You can also visit https://coachjennifer4u.com/ to find all the ways she can help you.
If you want to peak a glimpse of her coaching, you can do that by following her Facebook and Instagram accounts.
And if you’d like to connect with her more personally, you can do that through LinkedIn or by sending her a direct message on her Email [email protected]. It was an honor having this interview with her.