Cecilia Williams’ story doesn’t begin in a yoga studio or a wellness retreat. It starts in the financial trenches, the trading floors, real estate deals, and litigation strategy. A Stamford, Connecticut resident and seasoned finance professional, Cecilia spent decades navigating the high-performance world of money management. “I’ve worked in all areas of the financial arena,” she said. “And today I’m one of three women in our company, so that says a lot.”

This financial professional, once professional Latin instructor, dancer, and choreographer who had her own dance company for over a decade called “The Revelation Dancers”, in Brooklyn, NY has constantly re-invented herself!

But Cecilia’s story is about more than breaking glass ceilings. It’s about listening to her inner voice, which, for years, friends and colleagues echoed back to her: “You sound like a coach.”

Fitness as Fuel: Competing with Purpose

That coaching instinct didn’t just emerge from boardroom wisdom, it was forged on pavement, in open water, and across finish lines. “I’m an Ironman. I’m an ultramarathoner. I’m a marathoner,” Cecilia said proudly. But these weren’t just personal feats; they were acts of service.

She began racing in honor of two close friends who battled cancer, one of whom passed away. It was Bloomberg, her employer at the time, that introduced her to endurance events as a vehicle for fundraising. “I learned how to swim at 40 years old,” she said. “I signed up for a triathlon clinic, and I never looked back.”

Each race became a declaration of strength and a fundraiser for causes like the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Breast Cancer Association. Her body became a billboard for resilience, and her mission started taking form: to serve, to heal, and to coach.

A Timely Turning Point: Discovering HCI

In 2018, while grinding through long hours in real estate, Cecilia stumbled upon the Health Coach Institute Become a Health and Life Coach program. “I did one of their sneak peek weekends,” she recalled. “I thought, this is interesting but I just can’t do it right now.”

Fast forward to 2020. COVID shut down the world but opened a window for reflection. Now working in a more flexible finance role, Cecilia felt a pull. “I really wanted to look at what my purpose was,” she said. “So I enrolled and it was the best decision I ever made.”

A Health Crisis and a New Calling

Just three months into the program, Cecilia received a life-altering diagnosis: breast cancer. Rather than derail her journey, it reinforced it. “My healing was through this program,” she shared. “Three friends in the program knew about my journey. They were my lifeline.”

Her studies became both sanctuary and springboard. She leaned into the Functional Nutrition Alliance (FxNA) Full Body Systems program, continued her education through ISSA’s Pathway program, and began building her own coaching practice, all while undergoing treatment and working full time.

Juggling Clients, Career, and Certification

In July 2025, Cecilia worked with 10 coaching clients while finishing her final week in ISSA’s Pathway program and preparing for the NBHWC board exam. “I’m super stoked about that,” she laughed. She’s also pursuing additional credentials, including ICF certification and a second year of study with FxNA.

“I like wearing both hats,” she said of her dual health and life coach approach. “I don’t want to be put in a box.”

Her clients are everyday people, some friends, others family, and all connected virtually. Even her younger sister became a client. “She told me, ‘You’re really forcing me to think about my life.’ That meant everything.”

Beyond the Course: Heart Warriors

Cecilia credits HCI’s Pillar 4, focused on business fundamentals, with giving her the tools to start strong. But it was the supplemental Heart Warriors membership that took it deeper.

“That bulk of information from Heart Warriors helped me dial into the parts I wasn’t picking up in Pillar 4,” she explained. “If you’re doing the course and you want to build a business, don’t skip it. It really sets you up for success.”

Transformational Impact On Herself and Others

Cecilia describes the shift she’s experienced not only professionally, but personally. “I’m calmer,” she said. “I take a moment to think about how I show up at work, with family and with clients. I’m more intentional now.”

This self-awareness, paired with her coaching training, allows her to hold space for others. “My mission is to be there for people who want someone to hold them accountable and help guide them to better choices, especially when they feel too overwhelmed to even see what’s right in front of them.”

Though coaching began as a “second act,” it’s becoming a full-blown future. “My hope is that in five to ten years, or maybe sooner, I can retire from corporate America and coach full-time,” she said. “But I want to know I have a solid retirement nest egg first.”

That pragmatism is classic Cecilia, measured, prepared, and powerful. She’s walking her talk, one mile at a time.

A Message to Future Coaches

“You can come to coaching from any background,” Cecilia emphasized. “Finance, real estate, musical theater, it doesn’t matter. If it’s in your DNA, this work will bring you joy.”

She encourages anyone on the fence to go for it and to take the coursework seriously. “We’re only as good as the information we learn and how we apply it.”

If you’re feeling inspired by Cecilia’s journey, her resilience, her reinvention, and her commitment to helping others, know that your own transformation could start today. Whether you’re considering a career pivot, looking to deepen your purpose, or simply ready to make a difference, Health Coach Institute is here to guide you. Connect with an HCI Clarity Coach for a no-pressure conversation about what’s possible for you. Your next chapter might be closer than you think. Connect with a Clarity Coach today at 1-800-303-2399.