Jennifer Lloyd had built something many people dream about: a thriving private counseling practice she started from the ground up. But even with her full caseload and years of clinical experience, something didn’t sit right.

“I started to feel disenchanted,” Jennifer explains. “There was so much emphasis on diagnosing, labeling, and focusing on what was wrong. I found myself yearning for a way to help people move forward—toward wellness, growth, and empowerment.”

That desire led Jennifer to start researching health and life coaching programs. She wasn’t looking for a quick fix or a side gig—she was searching for something that aligned with her values and would allow her to expand how she served others.

Discovering HCI: “It Felt Like the Universe Was Speaking to Me”

After exploring several options, she scheduled a call with a Clarity Coach with the Health Coach Institute (HCI) to learn more about the Become a Health and Life Coach program. That call, along with watching two powerful livestreams, left no doubt in her mind.

“I had done my homework. I was already leaning toward HCI, but a live coaching session pushed me over the edge—emotionally and energetically,” Jennifer shares. “I was already enrolled, but when I experienced that moment, I cried. That’s when I knew. I wasn’t just adding a credential—I was stepping into my next chapter.”

Coaching After Hours: Finding Her Rhythm

Jennifer continues to run her private counseling practice full time while building her coaching business in the evenings and weekends. Where does she find the time to plug in time for HCI? “I call it my ‘wife time,’” she laughs. “After work is when I dive into the program content, participate in calls, and coach clients. It’s my time to connect with my purpose in a deeper way.” Based on the support from her husband, Jennifer finds time that would have been spent with him, “wife time”, to invest in her HCI coursework.

Instead of feeling overwhelmed, Jennifer says the structure of HCI’s program worked with her life—not against it. “The flexibility is real. The way the modules are paced, the coaching labs, the accountability—it all felt supportive, not stressful. I never felt like I was falling behind.”

She adds, “There’s a rhythm to it. You’re learning, applying, reflecting, and growing—all while being held in a powerful community.”

From Therapist to Coach: A New Kind of Impact

Now, Jennifer is building her second business, Stuck to Striving, a coaching practice designed for people who feel like they’ve tried everything but keep slipping back into the same dysfunctional patterns.

“My clients are often successful on the outside but feel caught in a loop on the inside. They’ve read the books, listened to the podcasts, maybe even done therapy—but they’re still stuck. That’s where coaching comes in. It’s forward-focused, action-oriented, and deeply transformative.”

She’s quick to clarify that her coaching work doesn’t replace therapy—it complements it. “I’m here to empower. Coaching lets me support people who are ready to break out of the hamster wheel and help with sustainable change.”

Message to Future Coaches: “Just Start”

For those considering the Become a Health and Life Coach program at HCI, Jennifer’s advice is simple but firm: “Don’t overthink it. You don’t have to know the endgame. Just start.”

She continues, “You’ll be amazed at what opens up when you take that first step. HCI will meet you where you are—and walk with you toward something extraordinary. That’s what happened for me.”

When asked if she’d do it again, Jennifer doesn’t hesitate: “One thousand percent, yes. This isn’t just professional development—it’s personal evolution. This program didn’t just deepen my work. It deepened me.”

Are you ready to go from stuck to striving like Jennifer? The Become a Health and Life Coach program could be your next step toward meaningful impact, personal transformation, and a career that aligns with your purpose. Learn more and book your call with a Clarity Coach today.