Gail Turner-Cooper - the health ripple effect

Gail Turner-Cooper is a certified health coach and owner of Align Health Coaching. She is based in Atlanta, GA. She shares her fascinating story as well as a few health tips!

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equilibreyaum: Tell me about your background, when did you first become interested in taking care of your mind, body and soul?

Gail: I spent 20 years of my life growing a marketing company from a start-up to a national organization with 7 locations across the Southeast. After years of working too many hours a week and prioritizing my career over my family, over my health, over my general sense of well being; I needed to make a major change in my life.

I started a daily meditation practice. It changed my outlook, giving me the mental space to pursue a different life goal. Two forces fuel my drive. My daughter is high functioning Asperger’s. We discovered that she thrives on a very specific diet. We have taken a deep dive into the world of special needs nutrition and lifestyle. The second is my own journey. I was a kid, like many, that grew up drinking soda and eating all kinds of processed food in between home-cooked meals. I suffered from horrible digestion issues and sought many doctors’ advice. None of their solutions worked. I started experimenting with a variety of diets. I settled on one that works with my individual needs. My digestion issues are resolved. I decided to expand on what I learned and make a career out of what I had personally discovered.

I am a certified Health Coach with training in functional medicine. What started for me as an interest in wellness quickly turned into a passion for helping others. My passion project developed into a side hustle while I was working as an Executive Vice President. I soon realized that I preferred helping others transform into their best selves. After much discussion with loved ones, I decided to make the leap, pursuing Align Health Coaching full time. I love helping people. I love seeing them live their most joy-filled life.

e: You just mentioned that you ate processed foods and drank a lot of soda growing up. You also mention on your website that you used to live a very unhealthy lifestyle. What exactly does that mean to you?

G: I grew up in a wonderful household that valued home-cooked meals. However, in between meals, we were allowed to eat all kinds of processed food and soda. We were the house that all the kids came to after school to hang out because we had the "best" snacks. The education around crap food was not as prevalent as it is today. As an adult, I kept a convenient lifestyle until I educated myself and began making changes towards a healthier way of life. Also, in my previous career, I let stress run wild. I then began taking back the reins by learning how to meditate. This made a significant difference in my life.

e: Tell me about the steps you took to put your health first. Was it a long process? Who did you look to for advice?

G: Wellness is a journey and different for everyone. I was always an active kid. So as an adult, I maintained movement as a value. The first changes I made related to food. I began researching what worked for me and my personal needs. I learned what I was sensitive to and what I tolerated. I sought out help of a professional in the realm of meditation. This type of stress management changed my life for the better. Meditation is now a part of my daily routine.

e: When did you start health coaching?

G: I helped people on their wellness journeys for years before I developed Align Health Coaching as my full time passion project.

“Your wellness journey will not be a straight line. The journey is filled with forward movement as well as some backward and sideways moves. Be patient with yourself and treat yourself with grace.”

e: What was the most challenging thing about becoming a health coach?

G: My biggest struggle was leaving a company that I helped start and develop over 17 years. I was a nervous wreck about our household income. I was prioritizing my passion to help others over a comfortable salary. Completely changing my career and developing my own company was an exciting, but challenging decision. I would not have been able to make the leap without my supportive husband, family, and friends.

e: What made you want to start helping others with their health journey?

G: I love helping others. I really get a charge out of watching people transform into their best selves. When I discovered how good I could feel, I couldn't wait to help people discover how good they could feel.

e: What's the significance behind your company name, Align Health Coaching?

G: The word Align describes how I hope all clients feel. Alignment of mind, body and spirit is important for holistic wellness.

e: Do you help with nutrition, exercise and mental health? If so, how do you approach this?

G: I focus on three pillars of wellness. They are nutrition, stress management, and lifestyle changes. I start by understanding where each client is, and where they wish to be. Each session is geared towards developing an area that needs attention. I respect that everyone is unique and responds best to a custom plan that honors their goals.

e: What are your go-to super foods?

G: I follow the philosophy that food is either healing you or hindering your healing. I also believe that as an individual it's important to know what foods work with your unique body. For me, I find that organic kale, spinach, and berries are a part of my weekly meals.

e: How do you handle stress and stay balanced?

G: My personal approach to stress management is Transcendental Meditation. It is a part of my daily routine. Meditation helps clear out the clogged thoughts and realigns me for the day. Planning and being mindful with my time help me stay balanced.

e: Can you share a client success story with us?

G: I love when clients find their stride and gain attention from their friends and loved ones. They begin to spread the knowledge of how they transformed. This not only roots the teachings within the clients, but benefits the people close to them. They become part of the health ripple effect.

One such client came to me burnt out with her career, self, family, and friends. We worked together on gaining a foundation of health principles. Sleep and stress management were at the top of the list. In a short period of time, her close circle of friends began noticing how she was more calm and open to others. This helped her gain confidence in her wellness journey. We then tapped into aspects of her nutrition. Shortly after, she began losing weight and feeling more energy. She took that knowledge and spread it to her family, and they too saw positive results from their lifestyle changes. It's stories like this that prove that wellness is not just about one person, but a community.

e: Do you have any advice for someone who is just starting their health journey?

G: Start now, it's never too late. Your wellness journey will not be a straight line. The journey is filled with forward movement as well as some backward and sideways moves. Be patient with yourself and treat yourself with grace.

“I serve as a guide, mentor and accountability partner allowing my clients to know that they are not alone in their journey.”

e: Is there anything else exciting you'd like to share?

G: Align Health Coaching offers custom-tailored wellness plans for individuals, groups, and families. I cater to busy working professionals that want to feel good again and find their stride. I also work with parents of children with special needs to find a lifestyle that works for them. I meet people where they are and help guide, empower and support them to a happier, healthier life. The plans I create are simple to follow, but not easy- people need support and accountability. The plans include sustainable habits relating to nutrition, meditation, fitness, and lifestyle. I don’t believe in a one size fits all approach. I do believe that transformation starts from the inside out. It occurs when you develop a new you. I help people develop good eating habits and adopt them as their new normal. I help them develop good self-care practices and make it a priority. I help them develop morning and evening routines that they cherish.

During a session, I teach people healthy alternatives to their existing life choices. We may review topics like meal planning, nutrition for hormone health, cooking strategies, and how to sustain their new lifestyle. We develop meditation practices that fit their goals. Also, with my background in running a large business, I help clients with their personal budgets and organizational needs. I serve as a guide, mentor and accountability partner allowing my clients to know that they are not alone in their journey.

For more information about Align Health Coaching, please visit her website.