Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathleen Ferguson.
Hi Kathleen, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Embarking on my journey in radio media sales in San Diego and Los Angeles, little did I know that life had a different plan in store for me. Everything changed when my first husband was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma. His battle with illness ignited a fire within me to devote my life to health, fitness, and wellness. Determined to make a difference, I became a certified Personal Trainer and TRX instructor and started my own mobile training business.
As time went on, I came across a new opportunity at IDEA Health & Fitness Association. Leading the sales team for Peter and Kathie Davis, I ventured into the world of fitness media and conventions, while forging valuable relationships D2C relationships with clients when Oxygen Magazine joined Active Interest Media. Year after year, I built strong connections in the health, fitness, and wellness space.
But when the unexpected arrival of Covid shook our lives in 2020, I decided to take a leap of faith as an entrepreneur. I launched my own consulting business, dedicating myself to the health, fitness, and wellness industry. From Direct-to-Consumer brands to B2B initiatives, I now proudly serve as a Strategic Advisor and Subject Matter Expert in partnerships and business development for Athletech News.
Working with Athletech News has allowed me to rediscover my media roots and capitalize on my decade-long industry relationships to connect brands with their target audiences in the B2B space. However, it was through this experience that I noticed a gap in the health, fitness, and wellness coaching field. And that realization led me to create my latest venture: Coach360.
At Coach360, we are committed to revolutionizing the world of wellness by equipping health, fitness, and wellness coaches with the necessary knowledge, resources, and support to elevate their careers. We aim to provide a holistic approach to wellness for individuals across the globe. We will provide a platform for our coaches to share their powerful stories with the Coach360 community, which will create impactful examples of industry success for others considering a career in health, fitness, and wellness. With coaches at the forefront of tackling chronic diseases and the obesity epidemic, they play a pivotal role in driving habit change for millions of people nationwide and beyond.
Coach360 is set to launch in May and will serve as a holistic ecosystem that serves the coach community, the brands that want to engage with them, as well as the millions of consumers they serve. This exciting initiative presents a unique opportunity for me to contribute to the community that has given me so much and leave a lasting mark on the world of wellness. Together, we can create a ripple effect of positive transformation and empower individuals to embrace a healthier lifestyle.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Being a female entrepreneur and a mother to three young kids has presented its own set of obstacles. The United States still has a long way to go in terms of supporting women in leadership roles. We must tackle issues like removing the stigma around women balancing career and motherhood, promoting a flexible/parent-friendly work environment, and scheduling meetings that accommodate family responsibilities. I am dedicated to showing my daughters that they can aim high and pursue careers in leadership. Society needs to empower young girls to dream big and break free from gender stereotypes that limit their potential. Overcoming these biases was a significant challenge for me, and it’s an ongoing journey!
Despite some progress, it’s disheartening that women still struggle with equal pay for performance, are, at times, overlooked for overseeing key accounts, miss out on having a seat at that table, or are forgotten about when scheduling conference panel/guest speaker roles. I’ve faced situations where I was passed over for opportunities in favor of less qualified male colleagues because I am “too busy” as a mother of three. This has to change, and at Coach360, we endeavor to include women-owned businesses for contract work and provide fair opportunities to women-owned suppliers. These are two everyday, actionable steps that support and empower female entrepreneurs.
Launching Coach360 allows me to address these issues and advocate for women’s health and mindset empowerment. By shifting our perspective, we can turn challenges into opportunities for growth and success.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Coach360 is not just your average membership platform. It’s a vibrant ecosystem that brings together health, fitness, and wellness professionals from all walks of life. By fostering a community of industry coaches, Coach360 empowers them to share their incredible stories, expand their businesses, and take their careers to new heights. On top of that, Coach360 offers a range of coaching resources (called the “Coach Collective”) to streamline operations and ensure coaches stay relevant in the ever-evolving industry. Through strategic partnerships, the “Coach Collective” enriches the wellness journeys of customers while positioning coaches as trusted experts in their field. All this contributes to having a powerful client acquisition tool at your fingertips! As a health, fitness, and/or wellness coach, you can broaden your clientele by embracing the role of a holistic health advisor, generating revenue from multiple sources, and boosting customer retention. With Coach360, you’ll gain knowledge, attract clients, and establish yourself as a true authority, all without the burden of expensive membership fees. If you’re a coach in the health, fitness, and wellness industry, we can’t wait to hear from you and give you the chance to share your story with our incredible community!
What’s next?
As we approach the launch of Coach360 in May, we are delighted to share the news of our inaugural newsletter. Filled with educational insights from industry experts in health, fitness, and wellness, this newsletter will be a valuable resource for our community. In the upcoming summer, we will introduce our membership program, Coach Collective, and first partnership, which includes an exciting collaboration with a major technology company. This collaboration will provide a revolutionary service to our members free of charge, enabling coaches to efficiently manage and grow their businesses while offering added value to their clients through a thoughtfully curated benefits program. We are eager to engage with our coach community and discover how we can best support them in this industry. Through engaging content, educational resources, and exciting opportunities, we aim to be their trusted partner every step of the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.coach360news.com
- Instagram: @coach360news
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/coach360news
