In the world of wellness and holistic health, Vanessa Cook stands out as a beacon of transformation and empowerment. Her inspiring journey from a life of chronic illness to becoming a holistic healing coach speaks volumes about the power of determination, resilience, and belief in alternative healing. Vanessa’s story is one of overcoming adversity, healing both physical and emotional traumas, and now dedicating her life to helping other women reclaim their health and wellbeing. Here's a look into her powerful journey and how she’s shaping the lives of women through her business, Sole Revival.
From Struggle to Transformation
Vanessa Cook’s journey began six years ago when she found herself in a debilitating state of health. Suffering from several autoimmune diseases and a heart condition, she was reliant on a multitude of medications. At the time, she was overweight and struggling with fibromyalgia, which made her daily life difficult—so much so that her husband had to carry her up the stairs each night due to her inability to walk up them herself.
Her husband’s concern for their future as a family became a turning point. He feared that she wouldn’t be able to continue on this path, and that fear pushed Vanessa to take action. She made the brave decision to seek alternative treatments and step away from the reliance on traditional Western medicine. What followed was a deep dive into holistic healing and an exploration of generational trauma. This healing journey led her to where she is today—a holistic healing coach and soon-to-be functional medicine practitioner.
Vanessa now uses her experience to help other women take control of their lives—mind, body, and soul—by offering alternative healing solutions that focus on more than just physical symptoms.
The Birth of Sole Revival
Sole Revival, Vanessa's coaching business, was born out of her desire to provide women with an alternative to Western medicine and empower them to heal holistically. The name "Sole Revival," spelled as “SOLE” to reflect the personal journey each woman embarks on, is a nod to the transformation that Vanessa herself experienced.
The cornerstone of her coaching program, Sole to Soul, focuses on guiding women to take their first steps toward healing through physical activity, primarily running. Vanessa herself hated running at first but discovered that moving her body helped her gain confidence and heal in ways she never imagined. Now, she helps women who have never run a day in their lives complete a 5K race within 12 weeks, an accomplishment that symbolizes both physical and emotional empowerment. But for those who aren’t keen on running, Vanessa offers alternative programs in activities like yoga, cycling, water aerobics, and hiking.
Her program’s uniqueness lies in its individualized approach within a group setting. Vanessa emphasizes that every woman's body is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. She tailors her coaching to meet each woman where they are, focusing on their individual needs and capabilities. Through this, she ensures that every client feels supported and empowered to heal in their own unique way.
A Mission Rooted in Education and Empowerment
Vanessa started Sole Revival to address a major gap she identified in the healthcare industry—the lack of accessible information about alternative healing methods. For years, she was stuck in a cycle of visiting doctors, receiving prescriptions, and dealing with the side effects of medications, with no real solutions to her health problems. This cycle, she realized, was common for many women, and she wanted to provide an alternative path.
Her mission is to reach as many women as possible, not just to grow her business but to educate women about the alternative solutions that exist. She aims to show women that they aren’t alone in their health struggles and that healing is possible—mind, body, and soul.
"The way we feel in our bodies and our bodies are these beautiful unique vessels that we only have to live in one time."
One of her strengths is that she’s focused on bringing the mental and spiritual components into the physical. She knows that we don’t merely look at numbers to help us through our weight loss journeys and exercise programs, but it’s also about “the way we feel in our bodies and our bodies are these beautiful unique vessels that we only have to live in one time.” It’s important to not only recognize this feeling, but to ensure we are nourishing our bodies with good foods and respecting the body to have for our lifetime in the best way possible.
A Supportive Sole Sisterhood
In just a few months since launching her business in January 2024, Vanessa has created a supportive community of women she affectionately calls the Sole Sisterhood. With 18 women already in her program, she hopes to grow this sisterhood to 25 more by the end of the year.
Vanessa’s vision is to create a movement where women uplift and support one another on their individual health journeys, while also working together as a community. The focus isn’t just on physical health but on mental and spiritual wellness as well, ensuring that each woman can live a fulfilled and empowered life.
Vanessa draws inspiration from women like Brené Brown and Dr. Caroline Leaf. She admires Brené Brown for revolutionizing the movement of women’s empowerment and encouraging others to share their stories. Vanessa also resonates with Dr. Caroline Leaf, who combines spirituality and science to promote holistic healing. Dr. Leaf's approach to health and wellness, particularly the mind-body-spirit connection, aligns with Vanessa’s own journey, making her a figure Vanessa aspires to emulate.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
For those looking to start their own businesses, Vanessa offers simple advice: trust yourself and take the first step. She believes that dreams and aspirations only become reality when you take action, and while failure may happen, the lessons learned along the way are invaluable. Vanessa encourages other entrepreneurs to focus on their “why”—the deeper reason behind their goals—and to stay grounded in that purpose, especially when challenges arise.
Vanessa creates a vision board and updates it every six months to ensure it reflects her evolving goals and feelings. Central to her vision board is her "why," which serves as a daily reminder of her purpose and passion. To stay grounded, she practices mindfulness and uses affirmations, incorporating them into her morning routine. Her vision board is displayed in visible places, including her phone background, keeping her focused on the bigger picture beyond financial and logistical concerns. For Vanessa, entrepreneurship is about staying connected to her soul’s calling and realigning when necessary.
Looking Ahead
As Vanessa continues to expand her business, her goals remain clear: to educate, empower, and inspire women to take control of their health and their lives. Through Sole Revival, she hopes to create a ripple effect of healing that reaches far beyond her immediate community. Vanessa’s passion and dedication are driving forces that will undoubtedly lead to the growth and success of her business, and more importantly, to the transformation of countless women’s lives.
You can find Vanessa Cook and learn more about her programs on all the social media platforms or by visiting her website, Sole Revival Health and Fitness Coaching. She also hosts a Facebook group where she shares daily tips, motivational quotes, and free resources for women looking to start their own health journeys.
Vanessa’s journey from illness to empowerment serves as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of holistic healing. Through her business, she continues to uplift and inspire women to reclaim their lives, one step at a time.
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