Jonathan Fischer: From NYC Politics to Purposeful Coaching

Before becoming a Health Coach, I was working in New York City politics, where long hours and constant stress took a serious toll on my physical and mental health. What started as a personal journey to feel better eventually became a much bigger realization: I was passionate about helping people and creating spaces where they felt seen, supported, and empowered to change. When I left my job, I decided to pursue work that felt more meaningful and aligned with who I was. That’s where IIN made all the difference.

The Health Coach Training Program^™ gave me the skills, confidence, and holistic perspective to turn that passion into a career. The Coaching Intensive Practicum prepared me for board certification while giving me the hands-on coaching experience and confidence to support clients more effectively. After graduating from IIN, I built a coaching practice serving bigger-bodied gay and queer folks, creating the kind of affirming wellness space I wished existed when I began my own journey. Over time, that work grew into CoachCub—a community built around connection, self-acceptance, and the belief that wellness looks different for everyone. Today, through coaching, retreats, courses, and community experiences, my goal is simple: to help people reconnect with themselves, let go of shame, and remember they're not alone.

Q&A: Your Journey

WHAT DID YOUR CAREER PATH LOOK LIKE BEFORE HEALTH COACHING, AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO EXPLORE A NEW DIRECTION?

A: Before I even knew what health coaching was, I was working in New York City politics. I was the director of field operations for a non-profit organization. Between the long hours and the intense stress I was under, my physical and mental health suffered. It was from trying to improve my situation that I got interested in health in general, and when I resigned from my job with nothing lined up, I had some time and space to realize my true passion for helping others.

YOU FOUND YOURSELF LOOKING FOR A CAREER THAT ALIGNED MORE CLOSELY WITH YOUR DESIRE TO SUPPORT OTHERS. WHAT WAS IT ABOUT HEALTH COACHING THAT FELT LIKE THE RIGHT FIT?

A: To be honest, I never felt like I had many “hard skills.” What I realized as I considered a career as a coach is that my skills were more interpersonal. I was good at listening to others and making them feel comfortable sharing about themselves. I loved spending time with people 1:1 and I loved supporting others. It was honestly a perfect fit for me.

LOOKING BACK, WHAT WERE SOME OF THE EXPERIENCES OR SKILLS FROM YOUR EARLIER CAREER THAT YOU NOW SEE AS VALUABLE IN YOUR WORK AS A COACH?

A: Looking back, it’s now clear that I was promoted in other jobs, and I retained clients in other jobs because people liked being around me. They naturally trusted me. I was good with people.

Q&A: Your IIN Experience

WHAT DREW YOU TO IIN, AND WHAT WERE YOU HOPING TO GAIN WHEN YOU ENROLLED IN THE HEALTH COACH TRAINING PROGRAM?

A: I was drawn to IIN because it was a 1-year program. It felt more legitimate than a shorter program, plus I talked with a few alumni who helped me feel comfortable registering. At the time, I really wanted to learn the skills to become an effective coach and pick up more nutritional education.

HOW DID THE IIN EXPERIENCE SHAPE THE WAY YOU THINK ABOUT HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND SUPPORTING OTHERS?

A: I think it shaped a lot. I think there's a lot more experiential learning in The Health Coach Training Program than students realize. It expands your thinking, and through the process I came to realize there really isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. That we are all different, and we need our own recipe for good mental and physical health.

AFTER GRADUATING, YOU WENT ON TO WORK AT IIN AS A STUDENT SUPPORT SPECIALIST. WHAT WAS MEANINGFUL ABOUT SUPPORTING STUDENTS THROUGH THEIR OWN JOURNEYS?

A: First, a committed decision that this was something I genuinely wanted to devote my time and energy to. Then, getting clear on my why, because that's what sustained me when doubt crept in. And it did.

The rest is honest prioritization. I love the Eisenhower Matrix for exactly this—knowing how to allocate energy across learning, work, friendships, and personal life in a way that feels aligned with our values.

LOOKING BACK NOW, WHAT DO YOU THINK IIN GAVE YOU BEYOND HEALTH COACHING EDUCATION?

A: For me, getting a job at IIN was the coolest thing. I naturally love helping others, so being able to support students throughout the program and beyond was gratifying. At the point I was hired, I had already launched my coaching practice and was seeing success. But of course, each step in the process was scary and nerve-wracking—so I was able to understand what hurdles students had to overcome. I approached students with empathy and encouraged them to keep moving forward.

Q&A: Creating Your Own Lane in Coaching

YOUR COACHING PRACTICE EVOLVED INTO SUPPORTING BIGGER-BODIED GAY AND QUEER FOLKS. HOW DID YOU DISCOVER THAT NICHE, AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO FOCUS ON YOUR WORK THERE?

A: Back in 2012, when I began thinking about health coaching as a path for me, I didn’t see men being catered to in most wellness spaces. So, I first wanted to focus on men in general, but through a conversation with a close friend, he talked me into defining a very narrow niche. That got me to look around at the spaces I was already in and the people I was around, which was a subset of the gay community called the “Bear Community.” Essentially, it’s a bigger-bodied community. It was scary narrowing my focus that much, but after getting my first few clients from that target audience and seeing success, I was sure it was the right lane for me. And it ultimately unblocked my coaching business.

WHAT DOES CREATING AN INCLUSIVE AND AFFIRMING WELLNESS SPACE LOOK LIKE IN YOUR WORK?

A: That’s a great question. I think it begins with me checking my ego and making sure my work isn’t centered around me. It’s about those in my community. And making sure they feel welcomed and included. This specifically means monitoring my Facebook group to make sure the comments and posts are within our community guidelines. And when it comes to classes, coaching, and retreats, it’s reassuring folks that I am there to support them, not judge them. And setting ground rules that allow them to be themselves and to advocate for their needs without shame. I also use humor a lot as a tool to bring people into the fold!

Q&A: The Work You Do Today

YOUR OFFERINGS HAVE GROWN FROM COACHING INTO RETREATS, FOOD TOURS, WINE TOURS, AND ONLINE COURSES FOCUSED ON BODY IMAGE. HOW HAS YOUR VISION FOR YOUR BUSINESS EVOLVED OVER TIME?

A: Honestly, when I started coaching, I loved the 1:1 aspect because I consider myself an outgoing introvert. I also struggled with a fear of public speaking for most of my life. But I just let my business grow and evolve. I think I had to be open to letting go of some of the control. I allowed people to give me feedback and support, and ideas. And I took note of what my audience was resonating with. I also had to push through a lot of fear at every step! From running classes to launching my podcast to hosting retreats. Each step pushed me to grow.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE PEOPLE EXPERIENCE WHEN THEY ENTER ONE OF YOUR SPACES OR PARTICIPATE IN YOUR PROGRAMS?

A: When people enter the spaces and experiences I create, I really want them to reconnect with themselves, and to let their guards down enough to connect with others with an open heart. I truly believe we’re all in this together, so I want my clients and guests to feel that fully. That they’re not alone in their insecurities and fears and goals.

IN YOUR WORK AROUND BODY IMAGE, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST MINDSET SHIFTS YOU HELP PEOPLE EXPLORE?

A: When it comes to body image, I think the first goal is to help people gain awareness. To understand that the messages and conditioning they experience for a lifetime has shaped how they view themselves. I think just understanding that on a deep level is a big shift from blaming themselves to realizing they have more power than they once thought. From there, I help them reconnect to their bodies and to look at body image as a relationship they have with their bodies.

Q&A: Reflection & Perspective

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO FEELS CALLED TO CREATE A DIFFERENT PATH BUT ISN’T SURE WHERE TO BEGIN?

A: If you feel a calling, don’t ignore it. That desire comes from somewhere important. Listen to it. And let go of control over where it will take you. Also, find your support. You will inevitably need other people to help you along the journey.

WHAT DOES “WELLNESS” MEAN TO YOU TODAY COMPARED TO WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED YOUR JOURNEY?

A: Oy vey. My definition of wellness has changed drastically since I first started my journey. My view now is much wider and much more nuanced. I am not even sure I can define it. If I tried, it would be something like… wellness is an ever-changing intention to live a balanced life of joy, connection, purpose, and an attainable state of good mental and physical health, whatever that means for each person.

FOR SOMEONE WHO IS STRUGGLING WITH BODY IMAGE OR FEELING DISCONNECTED FROM THEMSELVES, WHAT IS ONE SMALL STEP THEY CAN TAKE TOWARD CREATING A MORE SUPPORTIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THEMSELVES?

A: Seek out people and places where you feel more welcomed and less anxious about your body. This can be spaces online or in person. If you’re not sure what those spaces are, start just listening to your body as best as you can when you are around different people and in different environments. If that’s too much of a reach or if the idea of it makes you feel anxious or worse, just know you are not alone. Many people feel the same as you. Please remind yourself of that and be as gentle with yourself as possible.

WHAT ARE SOME PRACTICES, RITUALS, OR HABITS THAT HELP YOU STAY GROUNDED IN YOUR OWN LIFE?

A: This is always changing. But at this moment I find swimming and being in water to be very grounding. Same with time in nature. I also find quality time with people whom I can joke around and be silly with gets me out of my head. Lastly, talk therapy and medication have been wildly helpful as I have ADHD, dyslexia, panic disorder, and general anxiety.

Q&A: Fun Favorites

A BOOK, PODCAST, OR WELLNESS RESOURCE YOU’D RECOMMEND TO THE IIN COMMUNITY?

A: I’m a huge podcast fan. One podcast in particular that offers well-researched, body-positive wellness content is called Maintenance Phase. I highly recommend it. Other than that, I think most of what influences me and helps me grow comes from conversations with my clients, retreat guests, fellow coaches, and friends. I feel like we’re all a bit isolated these days, so any opportunity to attend a live workshop or talk to real people instead of reading, watching, or listening is—for me—really beneficial.

IF YOU COULD BE ANY FRUIT OR VEGETABLE, WHICH WOULD YOU BE — AND WHY?

A: I have to go with a peach, because I think it’s so on-brand for me. It’s colorful, sweet, and juicy.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST REWARDING PART OF THE WORK YOU’VE CREATED?

A: I’ve gotten to benefit from everything I’ve created. Every time a client transforms, or there’s a lot of love and support at an event, or there’s a strong sense of community at a retreat—I get to benefit from it too, and I get to see other people at their best. It’s hard to explain. But it gives me hope for the world.

What to hear more from Jon? Join us for a free, live webinar, Being You in Business, as he shares how he built an authentic coaching practice by embracing his unique story, values, and strengths.