Alison Payson

I began my Health Coaching journey in January 2025 through the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and earned my certification that August. But the path that led me here started much earlier.

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Storytelling, laughter, and good food have always been part of my life. Many of my favorite childhood memories come from holidays spent around my family's dining room table, listening to stories from their Midwestern town. Those moments taught me the value of family, hard work, perseverance, and humor. Now that I have a young daughter, I cherish those lessons even more.

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In 2008, I graduated from Northern Illinois University with a bachelor’s in liberal arts. I was drawn to learning about people, cultures, and the stories that shape how we live. Through Anthropology and Geography, I developed skills in ethnographic research and qualitative analysis, listening deeply, honoring perspective, and appreciating individual uniqueness. These experiences became the foundation of my coaching style.

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After college, I changed directions and spent 15 years coaching and developing teams in the restaurant and retail industry throughout Chicagoland, including leadership roles with Panda Express and Binny's Beverage Depot. Through mentorship, workshops, and hands‑on leadership, I learned how to support growth, build confidence, and guide people through meaningful change. The communities we built together still stay with me.

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Eventually, my priorities shifted, and I made the difficult but rewarding decision to step away from my career to be a stay‑at‑home mom. During that time, I reconnected with what mattered most and rediscovered hobbies, friendships, and practices that grounded me. Today, I enjoy yoga, sound bath meditation, hiking with my dog, biking local trails, and cooking mostly vegan meals inspired by my long‑time vegetarian lifestyle. I make space for meditation, journaling, reading, and music to stay centered.

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Across all these experiences, one theme has remained constant: I love learning, connecting, and supporting others. I bring my background in education, professional coaching, and personal wellness into every client relationship. These practices keep me balanced in mind, body, and purpose and ultimately led me to become a health coach, helping others create healthy lives that feel peaceful, intentional, and connected.