Emma Terrazas, a lifestyle and nutrition coach from Chicago’s southeast suburbs, offers a refreshingly simple approach to health. For Emma, it’s less about massive, sweeping changes and more about tuning into small, consistent actions that build over time. With a background as an athlete and a lifestyle grounded in nutrition and mindful routines, Emma is passionate about guiding others toward sustainable health—one manageable step at a time.

Growing up, Emma’s days were filled with sports and outdoor adventures, a millennial’s dream world before the digital age. Raised in a Mexican and Italian household, she enjoyed the best of both worlds—rich cultural traditions, amazing food, and a strong sense of family. Her love for movement and sport developed naturally, helping her stay grounded and connected to her body. This early exposure to an active lifestyle set the foundation for her later pursuit of health and coaching.

Emma’s athletic journey continued into college, where she played lacrosse at DePaul University. The rigorous demands of competitive sports sparked her interest in nutrition and the importance of fueling her body. Emma began to see food not just as sustenance but as a means to optimize her performance and energy. After graduation, she shifted her focus toward a lifestyle that would keep her feeling her best, outside the structure of athletics.

“Finding my why was crucial,” Emma shares, reflecting on the transition. As an aspiring entrepreneur and actor, she needed energy, mental clarity, and resilience—not just for herself but to bring her best to the world. Realizing the power of nutrition and physical well-being in shaping her outlook, Emma adopted a lifestyle where each habit was designed to support her purpose. For her, the process wasn’t about extreme workouts or restrictive diets but finding joy in simple actions that made her feel alive.

One of Emma’s top recommendations for anyone seeking to improve their well-being is to get outside first thing in the morning. She explains, “Getting out of the house, going for a walk, and letting the morning light hit your eyes—it’s such a boost for your circadian rhythm.” According to Emma, this one act, especially if done without immediately checking your phone, sets a positive tone for the day. She believes that small shifts like this are the key to creating real change.

For Emma, the goal isn’t to overhaul your lifestyle overnight but to test and explore what works for you. “I love thinking about health and routines as an experiment. You’re your own project,” she says, encouraging her clients to see their bodies as something to care for, not punish. She finds that health goals stick better when approached with curiosity and excitement, rather than dread or obligation.

Emma’s coaching style is all about meeting people where they are, especially when they’re new to fitness or unsure how to start. She emphasizes that feeling good doesn’t have to be complicated: just moving your body, nourishing it well, and giving yourself grace. Her focus on personalizing routines is what makes her coaching approach unique. Emma tailors each plan around her clients’ lives and stresses that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.

Emma’s insights go beyond physical routines. She often reminds her clients that belief plays a huge role in transformation. “What you believe you deserve is what you’ll receive,” she says, explaining that true change comes when you genuinely feel worthy of health and happiness. It’s a principle that’s simple but not always easy to adopt, especially in a world that often distracts from personal well-being.

Working with Emma is as much about building confidence as it is about changing habits. For her, health is not about striving for perfection but learning to be present and joyful in the body you have. “You’re creating a lifestyle, not following a rigid plan,” she adds, underscoring that the path to wellness...

Drew Ross never imagined that his journey would lead him from the fast-paced world of corporate real estate to becoming a life coach who transforms lives. Born and raised in Winston Salem, North Carolina, Drew's path was unconventional from the start. While his friends chose state schools, Drew took a different route, enrolling at Auburn University. It was here that his interest in entrepreneurship and finance began to take shape, setting the stage for a career that would eventually pivot in a surprising direction.

After college, Drew found himself working for a boutique real estate development firm. The company specialized in building luxury apartment complexes and selling them before the paint even dried. It was a high-stakes environment where Drew learned the ins and outs of sales, marketing, and the intricacies of corporate America. Yet, despite his success, Drew felt a growing sense of unfulfillment. He describes his corporate experience as a rollercoaster ride—one that often left him questioning his place in the business world.

"I loved my role at times, but when I would fall out of love with it, I would get promoted," Drew recalls. "That cycle kept me in the corporate world longer than I wanted, but it also pushed me to explore other possibilities."

It was during one of these periods of disillusionment that Drew stumbled upon the world of life coaching. An avid reader and lifelong learner, he began listening to a podcast aimed at helping moms in the LDS community. Although the podcast wasn’t directly speaking to him, Drew found himself applying its lessons to his own life. The insights he gained were transformative, sparking a newfound passion for coaching and personal development.

"I was lost," Drew admits. "I didn’t know what I wanted to do next, but that podcast gave me the tools to start figuring it out."

With this newfound clarity, Drew decided to make a bold move. He left his corporate job and dove headfirst into the world of coaching. It wasn’t an easy transition, and Drew acknowledges that he could have been more strategic about leaving his corporate role. However, he also believes that the leap of faith was crucial to his growth as an entrepreneur and coach.

Drew's approach to coaching is straightforward yet profound. He begins by asking clients to articulate their dream life 90 days from now. He firmly believes that everyone knows what they want in a perfect world—they just need help turning that vision into reality. Drew describes his consultations as "fighting for their dreams," where he helps clients identify what's working in their lives and what needs to change to achieve their goals.

"Your life or your business will not be the same after coming to a consultation," Drew confidently states. It’s a bold claim, but one that is backed by the success he’s helped his clients achieve.

One of the most significant challenges Drew’s clients face is overcoming the fear of what others might think. Whether it's posting on social media or pursuing a new career path, Drew emphasizes the importance of valuing one's own opinion over that of others. "You never know what people truly think, so why not decide they’re thinking good thoughts?" he suggests.

For those considering a career in coaching, Drew offers some valuable advice: don’t be too eager to leave your day job. He believes that financial stability can provide the necessary foundation to grow a successful coaching business. Additionally, he encourages aspiring coaches to make offers and tell people what they do, emphasizing that the key to success lies in taking consistent action.

Drew's story is one of resilience, courage, and the relentless pursuit of purpose. His journey from corporate real estate to life coaching serves as a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to change direction and find fulfillment in a career that aligns with your true self.

As Drew puts it, "Be the messy bowl of...

In the latest episode of the Coaches Corner Podcast, gratitude coach Gopi Nair shares a compelling tale of finding joy and emotional freedom through the practice of gratitude. Gopi's story is not just about overcoming adversity but about transforming life's challenges into moments of profound insight and growth.

From the beginning, Gopi captivates listeners with his humble origins in India, where his mother instilled in him the importance of accepting life's gifts with gratitude. "Whatever God gives you, accept it with both hands and say thank you. It could have been worse," she would say, a lesson that has resonated with Gopi throughout his life. This wisdom laid the foundation for his journey into becoming a gratitude practitioner, a path he has followed diligently for the past seven years.

Gopi speaks candidly about the transformation he experienced by practicing gratitude. "Before, I was at a level three, and now I practice at a level eight," he shares. This shift has brought about significant changes in his life, particularly in how he interacts with others and views his own responsibilities. He emphasizes, "My tendency to blame other people has gone away. I take full responsibility for my thoughts, speech, and actions."

One of the most poignant moments in the episode comes when Gopi recounts the passing of his wife. Despite the profound loss, he chose to embrace gratitude as a means of coping. "Every time a negativity creeps into my mind, I remind myself of the great things my wife did for me and our family," he reflects. By writing daily in his gratitude journal about his wife's contributions, Gopi found a way to honor her memory and alleviate his fears.

Gopi's practical approach to gratitude is both simple and profound. He starts and ends each day with a gratitude prayer, thanking the universe for all it provides. This routine, he believes, anchors him in the present and helps him maintain a positive outlook. His advice to those struggling with pain and loss is to keep the mind busy with positive thoughts and to practice the "thought observation process," which involves observing thoughts without judgment.

A significant turning point in Gopi's life came when he suffered a mild stroke. In this critical moment, he practiced what he preaches: surrender. "I surrendered to the present moment and did not resist," he explains. This acceptance gave him the clarity and energy to call 911 and manage the situation calmly. His experience underscores the power of surrender in conserving energy that would otherwise be wasted on worry and resistance.

Gopi's journey is a testament to the power of habit. He believes that practicing good habits daily can prepare individuals to handle life's inevitable challenges. "Our rituals are pillars of our behavior," he states, urging listeners to cultivate habits like gratitude and surrender.

For those feeling stuck or fearful of stepping out of their comfort zones, Gopi offers a fresh perspective. He compares life to a firefly's fleeting moments of light, emphasizing the importance of making a difference in others' lives. "You don't need money to make a difference. A simple smile or a small act of kindness can have a profound impact," he says.

Ultimately, Gopi's message is clear: practicing gratitude can transform one's life, bringing joy that transcends happiness. His story is a powerful reminder that even in the face of adversity, gratitude can light the way to emotional freedom and a more fulfilling life.