Hi, I'm Sonja! I'm a board certified health and wellness coach (NBC-HWC), a financial social work coach, a learning and development professional, and a behavior change expert with 14 years of experience helping people change their lives through the power of coaching.
I've got a thing for simplifying the complex, helping clients find clarity in the chaos and purpose in the process, and turning overwhelm into clear, manageable action steps. I’m really into helping people figure out their values so they can live intentional and unapologetic lives that they don’t need to escape from.
I wholeheartedly believe that life is editable. Most of us think our habits, patterns, and setbacks are permanent, but with the right guidance, you can rewrite your story at any stage. That’s what we'll focus on through my high-touch 1:1 coaching program, The Behavior Edit.
I guide my coaching clients through a proven framework I call EDIT:
Experiment: Test small, safe changes in your behavior without fear of failure.
Design: Create intentional systems that actually fit your life, not someone else’s.
Implement: Take meaningful action in the real world, even when life is messy.
Trust: Build confidence in your ability to course-correct anytime.
Through this process, my clients:
Complete projects or goals they’ve been avoiding for years.
Stop procrastinating and regain control over their habits and routines.
Gain confidence that they can edit their behavior and rewrite their story whenever needed.
Move from feeling stuck and overwhelmed to empowered and in action.
Hiking in the mountains
Snapping photos of everyday moments
Reading next to an open window with a mug of tea
Listening to a podcast while walking my dogs
Advocating for environmental policy changes that protect people and the planet
Experiencing gratitude for the simple things in life
Searching for the best pastries all over the world (seriously, if you know of a good pastry, I wanna know about it*).
Here are my top 9 favorite facts about me!
I'm an enneagram type 1w2
My superpowers are being super organized and extremely compassionate. This makes me a pro at helping you take action on what matters most to you.
My first job was designing and sewing costumes for theatre productions
I loved sewing, but my favorite part of the job was cataloging the massive costume closet in the attic of the theatre - I love to organize messy spaces!
I freaking love dinosaurs
I will never stop reading articles about new paleontological discoveries, being excited about seeing dinosaur skeletons in museums, hiding tiny dinosaur toys in all my houseplants, and seeing the new Jurassic Park movies in the theatre.
I love our US National Parks and Public Lands
My favorite place to vacation is in a US National Park (my favorites are Zion and Glacier!). I'm passionate about protecting our public lands for generations to come and I frequently let my representatives know that.
I'm a total systems nerd
One of my favorite things to do is to listen to your unique challenges, understand the way you learn and process information, and then co-design a custom system that will help you solve your problem.
I studied abroad in Malta when I was in college
I've been fortunate enough to travel to 12 countries (Malta, Gozo, Italy, Turkey, Egypt, Greece, Spain, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, Mexico, and Finland) and 22 US states. My next destination is Nashville, TN!
I thought I was the biggest spreadsheet nerd the world had ever seen....
And then I met my husband. He builds spreadsheets that would blow your mind and has been known to flirt with me in the margins of our shared travel planning spreadsheet.
I think perfectionists are amazing
I wholeheartedly believe that perfectionism can be a superpower when you learn how to use it for good. I also celebrate the heck out of ambitious, confident, assertive women in this space.
My values guide my choices in my life and business
In coaching, we use your values to help guide the process of change and build a life you don't need to escape from. My values are curiosity, integrity, authenticity, creativity, initiative, simplicity, and uniqueness.
I bring over 14 years of experience guiding individuals, executives, and aspiring coaches through the process of behavior change. I combine rigorous coach training with real-world experience to deliver coaching that actually works and sticks.
Coaching Certifications
NBC-HWC Certified Coach since 2017
Certified in Financial Social Work and Financial Wellness Facilitation
Completed NBHWC-approved training programs at RedBrick Health and Virgin Pulse
Certified Health and Wellness Coach through Real Balance Global Wellness Services
Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200)
Mental Health First Aid Certified
BA, Health and Psychology
Coach Training Experience
Designed and built the NBHWC approved coach training program at Virgin Pulse
Built a financial coaching product for cosmetology students and professionals
Taught in 4 different NBHWC Approved Coach Training Programs
Trained over 250 new health coaches entering the field
Delivered continuing education courses to over 1,500 NBC-HWCs
Helped over 200 students pass the NBHWC Board Exam
Professional Experience
5,500+ hours of experience coaching clients in private practice, corporate wellness, and group coaching programs
Consulted with the C-Suite teams for 3 health tech startups
Volunteer as a grief group facilitator for pet loss at a local animal shelter
AmeriCorps Service Member alumni
The Behavior Edit
(for people who want to make a change)
There’s something meaningful you want to do in life. I'm here to help you make it happen.
Most of my clients show up here when they get tired of carrying the weight of an unfinished project and the grief of an unrealized dream. Some of them feel like they've tried everything to make it happen.
I take a different approach to coaching and behavior change.
I'm here to help you finish the meaningful thing you’ve been postponing — and prove to yourself that you are not too late, you're not broken, you're not incapable of follow-through, and you deserve to live a life you don't need to escape from.
The Business Edit
(for coaches in private practice)
You don't need another cookie-cutter course, spammy free download, or "coach" influencer promising you that you can make $100k month in your coaching business.
You need a strategic partner and super organized BFF who can help you turn your ideas into income through the power of strategic systems, small steps, and mindset shifts that help you run your coaching practice like a business.
Thinking strategically, setting up systems, and getting organized is my thing. I'm here to lend my strategic planning and project management skills to your business so you can trade uncertainty for strategy and stress for execution.
NBHWC Board Exam Prep Course
(for future NBC-HWCs)
I'm so confident that my NBHWC Board Exam Prep Course will help you pass the board exam that I will give you your money back if you don't pass the test.
This is your one-stop-shop for everything you need to pass the NBHWC Board Exam!
Take the guesswork out of trying to figure out what you need to do to pass this test and stop using resources that make you pick and choose from confusing packages and individual products.
Here, you get everything you need, all in one place, backed by my money-back guarantee.
Studying is as easy as logging in and completing one lesson at a time.
Explore my free worksheets, e-books, workshops, lists, webinars, and CEU courses!
I meant it when I said I want your pastry and bakery recommendations! Here are 6 of my favorites (honestly, this was hard to narrow down) --
Bagt | Copenhagen, Denmark
Polebridge Mercantile | Polebridge, Montana
Husaren | Gothenburg, Sweden
Turtle Bread | Minneapolis, Minnesota
Malta Joe's Pastizzi | Tucson, Arizona
Glam Doll Donuts | Minneapolis, Minnesota