Angela Welling

I really attribute my success to my grandparents, who put me through college. They told me to do this right, that no one can ever take that education from you. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have gone to college, because my parents didn't push it and I didn't have that support from them. My grandparents gave me the foundation and encouragement I needed to pursue my education and build my career.

The best career advice I've received is to stay in the field that you're passionate about and don't do it for the money. You can have a lot of money, but it's not going to satisfy you if you're not doing what you love. I could definitely be making more money, but my interest is in helping others get well and heal their body. I think you'll excel in what you're passionate about, and that's what truly matters.

In my industry, there are so many fields and different areas you can go into with health. My advice is to really, honestly, pick what you are passionate about. Don't do it for the money or anything else, but really focus on what your passion is, because that's where you're going to excel. I always tell younger kids to follow their passion and not make the mistake I did by listening to someone else's opinion about what I should do instead of following my heart.

The biggest challenges in my field are around education and awareness. Sometimes people want a quick fix to be healthy or to be whatever their version of skinny is. It's about giving them that education and awareness that slow and steady wins the race - it's not a fast fix, it's a lifestyle change. I really try to implement SMART goals with my clients and explain how they can be in different stages of change for each goal. When they understand that, it makes it easier for them to realize why they haven't been able to change and how they can do this. The key is trying to be patient with them and meet them where they are, versus having expectations, because I can guide them and tell them all day long what they should do, but the motivation has to come from within.

Definitely integrity is most important to me - being someone who lets your yes be yes and your no be no. I also really value transparency because I think there can be power in transparency. Some people might see it as a vulnerability, but I think we can grow that way, and others can learn from that. When you're transparent, others can be open to share things with that currency as well.