How Healing Lyme Disease, Finding My Purpose, and Facing My Fears Made Me a Coach

 Have you ever had one of those moments in life when everything seems to be falling apart, but somewhere deep down, you know it’s also the start of something new? Looking back, that’s exactly how my journey to becoming a coach began—born from sickness, fueled by desperation, and ultimately transformed by purpose.

But let’s rewind to the beginning, because the road to becoming a coach was anything but straight. It was messy, filled with missteps, and riddled with more self-doubt than I care to admit. So grab a cup of tea (or coffee, if that’s your thing), get comfy, and let’s dig into this story—because if I can find my way here, I promise you, you can too.

The Early Days: When Lyme Disease Turned My World Upside Down

I wasn’t always this passionate about health, coaching, and radical personal growth. In fact, there was a time when just getting out of bed felt like a major win. It all started not long after I had my first child. What should have been one of the happiest times in my life quickly turned into a nightmare. I was constantly exhausted, my joints ached like I was eighty years old, I couldn’t remember my own name, passing out and seizures and I had this unshakeable feeling that something was seriously wrong.

But when I went to doctors, I was met with blank stares, vague diagnoses, and even a few condescending remarks. It felt like I was being dismissed at every turn, like maybe it was all in my head. And if you’ve ever felt that way—like you’re screaming for help but no one is really listening—you know how soul-crushing that can be.

I was shuttled from one specialist to the next, each one just as confused as the last. There were times I felt utterly hopeless, wondering how I was supposed to be a mother, let alone live a meaningful life, if I couldn’t even get through the day without feeling like the walking dead.

One day, after a particularly hard health day, I hit a breaking point. I realized I had two options: I could keep waiting for someone to come to my rescue, or I could start taking matters into my own hands. So, I decided to become my own advocate. And that’s what I did. 

It was a slow and painful process, but slowly, things started to shift. I began to heal. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally, too. Healing from Lyme disease wasn’t just about getting rid of the symptoms; it was about reclaiming my life and my voice.

The Turning Point: Discovering a New Purpose in an Unexpected Place

Fast forward a few years, and my husband suffered a critical injury on the job. It was one of those “everything stops” moments. We didn’t know if he’d be able to return to work, and suddenly, our future felt incredibly uncertain. One day, a friend handed him a book called Motivation Manifesto by Brendon Burchard, hoping it would inspire him to keep dreaming big, even in the face of this new reality.

The funny thing is, my husband never read that book. I did. I picked it up one night, feeling desperate for some kind of clarity, and before I knew it, I was hooked. Each page was like a little fire being lit inside me. I devoured it in days, and by the end, I had this undeniable feeling that I was meant to be doing something more—something bigger.

Here I was, having already co-founded a non-profit, offering informal coaching, and helping people wherever I could, but something shifted in me after reading that book. I didn’t just want to help—I wanted to claim the title of a coach and build something real. I wanted to turn my passion into a career that could support my family and create a ripple effect in others’ lives.

Taking the Leap: Becoming a Certified Health and Life Coach

So, I did the thing. I enrolled in a Health and Life Coaching Certification program. At this point, I had already been guiding people through their health journeys, using the lessons I’d learned from my own battles. But now, I had the tools and framework to make it official.

With my certification in hand, I hit the ground running. I was eager, full of energy, and ready to change the world. I started working with clients, helping them not just manage their health, but understand the deeper patterns and triggers that were affecting every part of their lives. I loved seeing my clients’ breakthroughs, witnessing their moments of clarity, and helping them realize that they, too, could become advocates for their own lives.

But as much as I loved coaching, I had my own demons to face. And those demons were called self-sabotage.

The Hidden Enemy: How Self-Sabotage Kept Getting in My Way

Here’s the part where I get real with you. Even as a certified coach, even as someone who had helped people transform their lives, I was still standing in my own way. I would gain momentum, book new clients, and then... I’d pull back. I’d make excuses, tell myself I was too busy (which was technically true, considering I was homeschooling four kids, running a non-profit, and managing various health diagnoses within my family). But the truth?

I was scared.

Scared of success. Scared of what it would mean about me if I really achieved my dreams. You see, deep down, I had this old story running on repeat: You’re not smart enough. You don’t have what it takes. It was like a safety blanket that kept me small and protected, but it also kept me stuck.

And that’s when I realized something huge: I needed to heal, too. Not just from the external events in my life, but from my own self-limiting beliefs.

Working for Brendon Burchard: The Job That Changed Everything

In the middle of all this, I decided I needed a stable income to support my family. I couldn’t keep letting my self-sabotage create financial instability, especially since my goal was to have my husband home full-time. So, I started looking for coaching jobs, and that’s when I stumbled upon an opportunity that felt almost too good to be true—working directly for Brendon Burchard.

Yes, the Brendon Burchard, the man whose book had sparked my coaching dream. I went through the rigorous hiring process, and when I finally got the job, I couldn’t believe it. It felt like everything had come full circle.

Working at Brendon’s company was a game changer. I got to coach clients from around the world, learn from some of the best in the industry, and even step into a leadership role where I trained and hired other coaches. It was everything I had dreamed of, and it gave me the stable income I needed to bring my husband home. But perhaps most importantly, it forced me to face my own fears head-on.

The Journey Inward: Embracing Radical Responsibility and Truth-Telling

During my time working with Brendon’s company, I started doing some deep inner work. I began to see how my self-sabotage wasn’t about time, circumstances, or anything outside of me—it was all rooted in my beliefs about myself. I had to let go of the old stories that kept me safe, but small. I had to start telling myself the whole, ugly truth: I was the one standing in my own way.

So, I embraced Radical Responsibility. I started identifying my triggers, digging into where they came from, and understanding what I was getting out of holding onto them. It wasn’t pretty, but it was real. And it was the first time I truly felt like I was taking control of my life, not just my business.

Building My Own Business (and Actually Succeeding)

Once I got honest with myself and started healing from the inside out, things began to change. I no longer relied on someone else’s business to create stability. I stepped fully into my own, and this time, I didn’t let fear pull me back. I was consistent, I was committed, and most importantly, I was ready.

Business picked up fast. I was attracting the right clients, creating impactful programs, and showing up as my whole, authentic self. It wasn’t perfect, but it was real. And it felt so good to finally get out of my own way.

If you’re dealing with self-sabotage in your own journey—whether it’s in your business, health, or personal growth—I invite you to check out my Self-Sabotaging Ebook. It’s filled with insights, strategies, and real-life steps to help you break free from the patterns that are holding you back.

🔗 Download the Self-Sabotaging Ebook here!

What I’ve Learned (and How You Can Apply It)

If there’s one thing I want you to take away from my story, it’s this: Your circumstances don’t define your future—your choices do. Healing is messy. Growth is uncomfortable. But if you’re willing to dig deep, be radically honest with yourself, and take consistent action, you can create a life that’s better than you ever imagined.

And if you’re ready to take things to the next level in your own business, check out my Empowered Entrepreneur Mini Course. It’s designed to help you overcome the barriers to your success, step into your power, and create a business that truly aligns with who you are.

🔗 Join the Empowered Entrepreneur Mini Course here!

Final Thoughts: You Can Do This, Too

I never imagined that Lyme disease, a life-changing accident, and years of self-sabotage would lead me to where I am today. But looking back, I realize that every challenge was a lesson, every setback was a stepping stone, and every fear was a doorway to a new opportunity.

If I can do it, so can you. Don’t wait for the perfect moment or the perfect conditions—start now, right where you are, with what you have. I’m here to help, cheer you on, and remind you that you’re stronger than you think.

With love and growth,
Kayla