Making Healthy Choices with Kate O'Driscoll
Food costs are typically the second highest monthly expense people have after where they live. It's a topic we're frequently talking about with our clients at Financial Gym. How we consume food impacts not only our physical and financial health but also our mental health, so I'm dedicating the month of May to food conversations on the podcast.
Joining me today is Kate O'Driscoll, a health coach who focuses on meeting clients holistically where they are and helping them find healthier relationships with food to improve their financial, physical, and mental health.
As a special note, Kate is a former teacher of mine. She is one of those teachers in your life who makes you believe you are someone special who has something special to offer this world. If it wasn't for her, I would have never developed my love for the theater and acting. Acting was the activity that helped the insecure, quiet nerd become the confident, strong woman she is today.
What are we drinking?
Kate - Processo with a squeeze of juice
Shannon - Gin and Tonic
Podcast Notes
How did you transition from teacher to health coach?
Everyone has power within, but people can only step into it once they feel safe. Kate planted a seed in Shannon and cultivated a safe environment where she could blossom and grow as a child.
Some kids will reach their goals regardless of that seed being planted or a supportive environment, but everyone can when they have the opportunity to feel safe. After 33 years of teaching, Kate decided to retire and become a Health Coach.
Around that time, she let her hair grow and go completely silver. That was a catalyst for several changes. She weighed 200 pounds and had struggles with food. She found a program that focused on true health and wellness over weight loss, and she immediately fell in love.
Once her blood sugar was balanced, she began to lose weight. She wanted to share what she learned with others. She wanted to help people understand how to become healthy rather than focusing on the scale. She believes if you know or learn something magical, it is your obligation to share it.
What are common struggles people face on a health journey?
For most folks, health is the last thing important to them until it's not. Sometimes it's bad news or falling ill that motivates people to make a change.
When people come to Kate, other than 'feel better,' they're unsure what they want.
This is not about weight loss; it's about feeling good in the body you live in every day. For some clients, weight management can be an aspect of it. The work is focused on relationships and skill sets. We're working on you rather than the number on the scale.
When you start, understand this is a lifelong journey, there will be seasons, and the work never stops. Be kind to yourself as you get started, and take time to explore different paths to find what makes you happy.
Once you have a plan, take steps to make it happen. A plan is great, but action is everything.
Have patience with yourself; it will be challenging at first. With more practice, you will get better at the new habits you're building.
We need the support of others because it is challenging to heal and grow in isolation. Find your community or hire a professional to help.
When am I ready to hire a coach? What if I’m hesitant about the cost?
Everyone can benefit from working with a coach in a particular area of life. If you feel lost, like you’ve tried everything and have no other choices left, it may be time to hire a coach.
Working with a coach is not a lifetime commitment. As humans, we are afraid to try things because we fear failure. We are hesitant to pay for something that may fail. People also fear change, and that is normal. The more it happens to you, the more you get used to it.
When learning something new, we don’t know what we don’t know. Having someone there to guide you through the information and keep you on track is valuable. The right relationship will pay dividends.
A coach can help you create a plan and take action and hold you accountable.
Sometimes it just takes somebody on your journey to water the seeds and remind you that you are worthy and capable of greatness. If you are on the fence, why not give it a try? It might be the best thing you ever do.
Takeaway: My biggest takeaway is the importance of a healthy relationship with food. I didn’t find one until I was well into my 30s but I’m so thankful I found that path because it’s something I can always go back to and improve on.
Random Three Questions
What is the next big travel destination?
What is something you’re binging right now?
If this was your last meal on earth, what would it be?
Connect with Kate O’ Driscoll
Instagram: @thekateodriscoll
If you have any topics you would like me to cover on this podcast, or if you’d like to get in the financially naked hot seat, I encourage you to email me at Shannon@fingyms.com, or join the private Martinis and Your Money Face, and let me know what you want to hear.
A recent Financial Health Network study revealed that only 31% of Americans were financially healthy. Only 23% of women and only 15% of black people were. Financial health is a crisis in the US but it doesn’t need to stay that way. At the Financial Gym, we’ve spent the last 10 years working one-on-one with our members to help them achieve their financial health goals.
With a 90% success rate and with memberships starting as low as $35 a month, Financial Gym is not only the inflation-proof source for financial wellness for anyone but also a trusted and capable partner for your financial wellness journey. Head or send friends to, financialgym.com and schedule a warm up call today. As a reminder, our warm up call team is staffed with amazing and current Financial Gym clients that can answer any of your questions about our program without any pressure to join. The call is free, so you have nothing to lose.