Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Caldwell.
Hi Megan , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Like many people’s stories, mine has a lot of twists and turns. I started my career right out of college in education, teaching and coaching in South Central Los Angeles, it truly was my passion and a space I thought I’d never leave. After having my first son in 2010, as I’m sure all parents can relate, not only did my priorities and perspective changed, I found myself struggling in trying to juggle career, motherhood, relationships, life and my own health. When my son was just 18 months, I quit my job, we moved to Oregon and I had no idea what was next.
Once we moved to Oregon, thinking I wanted to stay home full time with my kids, I soon recognized I wanted something more. For the next 9 nine years most of my waking hours went into building my first business – I owned and operated a local FIT4MOM franchise in the Portland area, a fitness franchise made for moms in all stages. It truly was my dream job of teaching, fitness (as a former athlete, this was fun!) and being able to do so while raising my children. I grew a small little franchise to a nationally recognized business, with a team of 14, dozens of classes each week and we were impacting hundreds of moms. I loved it…until I found myself in old patterns of working round the clock, putting my needs last (despite teaching and preaching wellness) and despite “looking successful” on the outside, I was unhappy, lonely and not taking care of myself. I hit my second round of burnout.
And this go-around, I new I couldn’t go on like that. I asked myself the question, “What does it actually take for moms to truly be able to take care of themselves, while juggling career and while raising their kids?” And so began my own personal wellness deep dive journey — I sought out a therapist, hired a coach to help me unravel from a business that was no longer serving me, I got a coaching certification and took a deep dive into how to remain an ambitious women and still be able to show up present, fully and myself, for my kids and family.
That is exactly what I support women in today. Being able to juggle the demands of career and motherhood, helping women truly learn to take care of themselves so they can show up most fully for their families, careers, communities and the greater world.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As shared before, it definitely hasn’t been smooth! I think as a founder and coach, often it is our own journey that guides us into the work we do supporting others.
Coming out of the fitness franchise, I merged into health coaching and supported women with a lot of behavior change support – think sticking to healthy habits and hitting physical health goals.
What I learned very quickly was that a women’s well-being is wayyy more than just their physical health. Now when I begin work with clients, we take a look at 11 different areas of wellness, and my approach is very holistic. My goal is to not only help women feel like themselves (and truly vibrant and energized!) in the moment, but also build flexibility, capacity and resiliency for when hard seasons of life come.
One of the hardest seasons of my own life came in February of 2024 when my family and I lost our house to a fire. It was absolutely tragic, and as I moved through those first few days, and then months, I operated from a state of complete peace and calm. This is when I knew I had “cracked the code” on what it actually takes to help high achieving women tap into the things they desire most – true presence with loved ones, peace of mind, more energy and joy.
The deep level of work I do with women, which I often refer to as holistic wellness and identity based coaching, helps women not only move through the day to day with grace, but it helps them get of out survival mode, and step into a life they truly love (their Rockstar life!) while building capacity to take on whatever challenges life throws their way.
We’ve been impressed with Megan Caldwell Coaching , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Through my coaching, speaking, workshop and retreats my expertise is helping guide high achieving women to step away from perfectionism, people pleasing and the constant need for busy, and other barriers that often leave them feeling stuck, overwhelmed and exhausted…and often in the depth of burnout.
Through my Rockstar Mom Method I teach women how to ignite their inner rockstar, so they feel deeply aligned, at peace and connected to themselves, so they can show up as their fullest, most authentic version, their Rockstar version of themselves, in their work, their home and their relationships. I believe so strongly that when moms truly learn how to take care of themselves on the deepest levels – mind, body and soul – they have more time and energy to positively impact the world.
I have now become an expert at helping women learn to rewire and reframe their thoughts and deep limiting beliefs, connect back to their bodies and heal their nervous systems and take daily value-aligned action so they can live with more presence, peace, joy, ease and impact. Alongside my private and group coaching work, I also am the host of The ROCKSTAR Mom Podcast and do speaking engagements and workshop on burnout, resiliency and self-leadership.
Three big things I stand for:
–This never ending chase for “balance” has made so many women burn out. I believe balance is actually BS, and rather what women are seeking is work-life harmony, flow or peace.
–Fun can no longer be an afterthought. So many smart women take themselves wayyy too seriously. It is imperative to learn how to insert more play, joy, fun, creativity and adventure into your day to day life.
–Overwhelm is a choice. Yup, I said it. I believe we each have the power to construct our own stories and reality. Yes there are systems and external pressures that can make finding true happiness, fulfillment and vibrancy challenging AND it is within each woman’s power to create her own happiness and wellness.
I’ve been told my approach is a combo of both “Deep work and dance parties” — where yes I guide women to deep, inner, life-changing identity work AND we have fun doing so. 🙂
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
You don’t have to do it alone. Lean into support and guidance. As soon as I hired a coach, found a mentor, asked others, joined networking groups, that’s when my business and brand started taking off.
One of my favorite saying is “Action creates clarity.” You’ve got to put yourself in the ring before you see progress or gain clarity, and you don’t have to be in the ring alone.
One other thing – know you are on your OWN journey – whether it be with your business or health & wellness. No two paths are the same, so take moments to slow down, check in with yourself, make sure you are well nourished and resourced (mind, body and soul) and that is when you can have the greatest impact on the world and truly share your gifts.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.megancaldwellpdx.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megancaldwellpdx
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megancaldwellpdx
- Other: https://www.megancaldwellpdx.com/podcast
