Holly Cotton: Empowering Wellness and Resilience in All Aspects of Life

As people become increasingly concerned about their physical and mental health, the demand for health and wellness professionals continues to grow. One such professional is Holly Cotton, a certified personal trainer, health and wellness fitness coach, mental health advocate, author, life coach, media personality, and practicing registered nurse.  

She is passionate about inspiring people to become the best versions of themselves, inside and out. Through her own experiences of battling breast cancer and struggling with mental health, Holly has developed a holistic approach to health and wellness that incorporates physical fitness, nutrition, and mental health.  

Bridging the Gap Between Physical and Mental Health 

During Holly’s tenure as a registered nurse, she recognized that physical fitness and overall health were closely linked. As she treated patients with various illnesses and conditions, she saw firsthand how staying physically fit could improve their health outcomes and overall well-being. But it wasn’t until Holly’s battle with breast cancer that she fully embraced a holistic lifestyle, focusing on the connection between physical and mental health. She began to research the link between certain foods and environmental factors and cancer and made changes to her diet and lifestyle. 

However, she also became acutely aware of the emotional toll cancer and illness take on patients and survivors. Holly experienced depression after her diagnosis but found that there were few resources available to help her navigate her emotions. She began talking to other survivors and realized that many of them had similar experiences. This sparked a passion within her to become a mental health advocate, not just for those with cancer, but for anyone facing life changes or challenges. 

Nursing taught Holly Cotton that the healthier you are physically, the better your chances are to overcome an illness. Holly educates people on the importance of heart health and maintaining a healthy weight. Her background gives her the ability to analyze medications, determine what diet is better for the regimen, evaluate lab results, and identify possible issues that need attention. Holly’s expertise in nursing has provided her with an expert level of information that she can use to analyze health issues and disparities. 

Holly’s Holistic Approach to Life Coaching and Strength 

Holly is a multifaceted health and wellness professional, offering a range of services and products to help people achieve their fitness goals, including life coaching, being a media personality, speaking at events, moderating panels, and owns a fitness apparel company called Strong Squad. Holly is also the author of the book “STRONG. More than Muscles” which details her journey with cancer and how she overcame it to inspire anyone facing similar challenges. She hosts a podcast titled “Beyond the Fit” where she talks to individuals who are making a positive impact in their communities. 

Holly defines strength as being unfaltering and emphasizes that it goes beyond physical fitness, “If that means building up physical muscles for you, then be the biggest beast in the gym you can be. If it means just getting out of bed after something tragic or losing a loved one, that is your strength.” Her approach to life coaching focuses on changing mindsets, and she has authored a book titled “Day 1: A Guide to Identifying, Organizing, and Executing Any Goal” to help people change their thinking. She encourages people to take small steps towards overcoming weaknesses and sadness, and to be resilient and unfaltering when faced with challenges. Holly’s coaching philosophy emphasizes implementing steps toward change, creating a plan, and sticking to it by making daily progress toward the final goal. 

After being diagnosed with cancer, Holly encountered a range of physical, emotional, and mental challenges, such as beating cancer, managing financial struggles, and raising a child as a single mother. Despite this, she persevered and made a commitment to becoming the best version of herself by allowing her body, mind, and soul to heal. In her own words, “My life was never easy, but the strength I developed along the way can never be taken away, and I want others to absorb my strength. I am trying to change the world one motivational story, event, and challenge overcome at a time.” 

Through her various projects and initiatives, including her books, podcast, and Strong Squad fitness brand, Holly aims to impact her community and beyond by inspiring people to become the strongest versions of themselves, both inside and out. She believes in the power of positivity, perseverance, and passion to create change and make a difference in the world.