Anna Hirsch-Nowak is one of the coaches that we found this month and we did a little interview with her. She impressed us with her expertise and love for nature.
She is a Functional Medicine Health Coach and certified nutritionist who combines science based methods with holistic practices to support energy, balance, and wellbeing. She began her coaching journey in 2022 after studying nutrition, psychodietetics, Ayurveda, and conscious living, and is currently completing advanced Functional Medicine Health Coaching certification. Her approach is grounded in both education and lived commitment to healthy living.
She believes many health challenges today come from disconnection from nature and inconsistent daily habits. In her coaching, she guides clients back to fundamentals like nutrition, sleep, movement, and time outdoors, while also focusing on behavior change and turning knowledge into action.
She is known for her empathetic, personalized coaching style, meeting clients where they are and adapting to their needs. By combining functional medicine tools with deep listening and creating a supportive environment, she helps clients achieve sustainable change and live more balanced, intentional lives. Here is what she said…
Meet Life Coach Anna Hirsch-Nowak:
Name: Anna Hirsch-Nowak
Pillar: The Spirit, The Mind, The Body, The Heart
Who is this coach for: Individuals struggling with low energy, unhealthy lifestyle patterns, and difficulty sustaining long term behavior change who want a holistic, nature based approach to health and wellbeing.
How they can help: By combining functional medicine, nutrition, and holistic coaching to build sustainable habits, improve wellbeing, and reconnect with natural rhythms.
First of all, how are you and your family doing in these “crazy” times?
Thank you for this question.
We are indeed living in unusual times.
Things that should be considered unhealthy or detrimental to our well being have become normalized, while health promoting habits are often viewed as luxuries or something unconventional.
Personally, my family and I are doing quite well in this increasingly chaotic world.
I believe this is largely due to my profession, my high level of self awareness, and the healthy routines that have become deeply rooted in our daily lives over the years.
How did the coronavirus pandemic affect your clients? Did it affect you at all?
I started working with coaching clients toward the end of the pandemic, so I was not directly affected in terms of my coaching practice.
One of the advantages of my work is that it can be conducted entirely online, which made it well suited to the circumstances at the time.
For me personally, the pandemic became an opportunity for growth and professional development.
I used that period to expand my knowledge and qualifications by participating in various online courses, certifications, and training programs.
Looking back, it was a time that allowed me to invest deeply in my education and build the foundation for the coaching practice I have today.
The Origin:
Tell us about you, your career, how you started with your coaching career?
Of course.
I could say that my coaching journey began quite recently, in 2022.
At that time, I became interested in health coaching and completed a one year program in Conscious and Healthy Living at Dr. Preeti Agrawal’s Clinic in Wrocław, Poland, where I became a Holistic Wellness Coach.
I was so fascinated by both the knowledge and the client centered approach that I decided to continue developing in this field.
I went on to earn certifications as a Women’s Coaching Specialist and a Menopause Coaching Specialist through GGS Academy in the United States.
I have always been passionate about Functional Medicine, so when I discovered the opportunity to pursue a highly respected certification in Functional Medicine Health Coaching, I did not hesitate for a moment, despite the significant financial investment and the year long commitment required by the program.
I am now just a short time away from graduation, and I am incredibly proud and excited to have reached this milestone.
It has been a wonderful experience and an incredible source of knowledge.
In addition to my coaching qualifications, I am also a certified nutritionist.
I have completed postgraduate studies in Psychodietetics, which focuses on the psychology of nutrition and eating behaviors.
I am also a Level I Ayurvedic Consultant.
These complementary disciplines allow me to take a truly holistic approach to health and well being, considering not only nutrition and lifestyle factors, but also the psychological, emotional, and individual aspects of each client’s journey.
What was your biggest obstacle that you had to overcome in your life that made you who you are today?
I have always believed that obstacles are meant to be overcome, not surrendered to.
I have never viewed challenges as a sign that I should stop pursuing something.
If my heart told me that a certain path was meant for me, I trusted my intuition completely, even when it seemed to contradict logic or reason.
One of the most difficult experiences in my life, and one that profoundly shaped me, was realizing that many people did not believe in me when I was starting out.
Then, after I had persevered, achieved some success, and proved that my efforts were worthwhile, some of those same people began to distance themselves.
At first, it was very painful.
Friends who had once been close suddenly became distant, whispered behind my back, or chose to ignore me.
Over time, however, I processed those experiences, accepted them for what they were, and continued moving forward.
This taught me an invaluable lesson.
Not everyone will understand your vision, support your growth, or celebrate your success.
That is why it is so important to stay true to yourself, trust your path, and keep going regardless of the opinions of others.
What are the biggest lessons that you learned overcoming your greatest obstacle?
One of the greatest lessons I have learned is that if you truly want to achieve something meaningful in life, you must be willing to do the work yourself.
You have to rely on your own determination, discipline, and perseverance.
No one can build your dreams for you.
What surprised me most on my journey was realizing that very few people will genuinely support you while you are striving toward your goals.
Most people will not walk beside you through the difficult moments, and many will not celebrate your achievements once you succeed.
In many ways, the path to success can be a lonely one.
At first, this realization was painful.
I used to believe that friends, acquaintances, and even people close to us would naturally cheer us on.
Instead, I learned that people often find it easier to support strangers online than someone they know personally.
They readily offer encouragement, likes, and kind words to people they have never met, yet sometimes struggle to do the same for a friend, daughter, sister, mother, colleague, or neighbor.
Over time, however, I came to understand and accept this reality.
It taught me resilience, self reliance, and the importance of staying focused on my own path regardless of external validation.
I do not believe that anyone succeeds entirely alone.
Throughout all these years, my husband has been by my side.
He has been my greatest source of support and my strongest motivator.
Without his encouragement, this journey would have been far more difficult.
Not because I lack ambition or determination, but because every person needs at least some support while pursuing their dreams.
You can have knowledge, talent, resources, and a strong work ethic, but true courage often grows when someone believes in you.
We all have the ability to spread our wings, but those wings become stronger when we have someone standing beside us, encouraging us to fly.
The Coaching Style:
How do you innovate with coaching your clients?
In my work with clients, I strive to follow their individual needs and meet them where they are.
Just as the world around us is constantly changing, we as human beings are continuously adapting to those changes.
Our knowledge is expanding as well, and some of the tools and methods that were highly effective a few years ago may not be as relevant or impactful today.
That is why I believe the most important skill for any coach is the ability to truly listen to their clients and adapt to their evolving needs.
Rather than relying on a fixed formula, I focus on creating a personalized approach that reflects each client’s unique circumstances, goals, and challenges.
The magic lies in the connection between my clients and me.
Lasting change happens when a person feels truly heard and understood.
By listening attentively, asking meaningful questions, and remaining fully present, I can better understand their needs and support them in finding solutions that align with their values and goals.
The innovation I bring to my practice comes primarily from my commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
By continually expanding my expertise and qualifications, I can offer a broader range of evidence based tools, strategies, and perspectives in my one on one coaching work, enabling me to better support my clients in achieving lasting and meaningful change.
What’s unique about your coaching approach?
In health coaching, not all credentials are created equal.
There are many organizations offering various coaching certifications and training programs, but only those backed by reputable institutions and recognized professional bodies provide truly high quality and evidence based education.
What distinguishes me professionally is the quality of my training and qualifications, particularly my education at Dr. Preeti Agrawal‘s School of Conscious and Healthy Living in Poland, as well as my certification through the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy in the United States.
The Functional Medicine Coaching Academy is widely recognized as the gold standard in Functional Medicine Health Coach training.
It is uniquely partnered with The Institute for Functional Medicine and is the only health coaching certification program fully approved by both the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching and the UK and International Health Coaching Association.
Beyond my qualifications, however, I believe what truly sets me apart is who I am as a person.
My greatest strengths are my natural empathy, deep respect for others, and my ability to truly listen.
My clients often describe me as exceptionally supportive, and I believe this is one of the most important qualities a coach can possess.
The people who come to me are often in the midst of significant life and health changes.
They may have the knowledge of what they should do, but they need encouragement, understanding, and someone who believes in them while they navigate the process.
In many ways, support is as essential to change as water is to life.
My role is not only to provide guidance and accountability, but also to create a safe and compassionate space where clients feel empowered to grow, heal, and succeed.
I create an atmosphere built on trust, where my clients feel comfortable, calm, and genuinely heard.
Establishing this sense of trust is fundamental because behavioral change can only happen when people feel supported and understood.
I believe my clients appreciate my authenticity and the genuine passion that I bring to my work.
Health coaching is not simply a profession for me.
It is a reflection of how I live my own life.
My work is deeply rooted in my passion for healthy living, building sustainable habits, and supporting overall well being.
Because I personally embrace the principles I teach, my clients know that I am not simply sharing information or following a methodology.
I am guiding them from a place of real life experience, commitment, and genuine belief in the transformative power of healthy lifestyle changes.
What benefits do your clients get after working with you?
The greatest value my clients receive is my support throughout their entire behavior change journey.
People come to me with a wide variety of challenges.
Sometimes they are facing serious health concerns, while at other times they simply want to improve their daily habits and enhance their overall well being.
Regardless of the specific issue, I strive to meet every client with empathy, respect, and understanding.
In coaching, we do not solve problems for our clients.
Instead, we help them uncover their own inner motivation and develop the confidence needed to create long lasting change.
This is a fundamental principle of my work and one that I consider essential to long term success.
Through motivational interviewing, powerful coaching conversations, and evidence based tools from positive psychology, I guide clients through the process of change while empowering them to take ownership of their decisions and actions.
My role is to provide support, accountability, and a safe space for reflection, helping clients discover solutions that align with their values, goals, and vision for a healthier, more fulfilling life.
When clients find their own motivation and begin taking consistent action, the changes they make are far more sustainable.
That is where true transformation happens, and it is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work as a coach.
Do you use any specific tools to be efficient with your clients?
Yes, I use a variety of evidence based coaching tools in my practice.
Many of these resources were provided as part of my training and certification through the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy, while I have developed others over time based on my experience and the specific needs of my clients.
Although Functional Medicine Health Coaching follows well established standards, methodologies, and coaching structures, I strongly believe that every client is unique.
There is no one size fits all approach to meaningful and sustainable behavior change.
For this reason, I always strive to tailor my coaching process to the individual.
The tools, exercises, and strategies I use are selected based on each client’s personal goals, challenges, values, lifestyle, and stage of readiness for change.
My role is not simply to apply a standardized framework, but to create a personalized coaching experience that supports the client’s specific needs.
By combining evidence based coaching techniques with empathy, active listening, and individualized guidance, I can help clients make changes that are both realistic and sustainable in the long term.
The Impact:
If you had a super megaphone that, when you speak into, the whole world will hear your message, what would you say?
There is no life without nature!
In today’s world, human beings have become increasingly disconnected from nature.
The average city dweller lives in a concrete apartment building, spends eight hours a day sitting in front of a computer, travels mostly by car, eats highly processed foods, drinks artificially flavored and colored beverages, wears synthetic clothing, and relaxes in the evening by watching television.
When they want to learn something, they are more likely to ask AI than to pick up a book.
To me, this paints a rather concerning picture.
I often wonder whether this path is truly serving humanity.
Even if it does not lead to our downfall, it certainly does not seem to be leading us toward healthier, wiser, or more resilient societies.
As we continue to advance technologically, we are moving further away from nature and from the fundamental principles that have supported human health and well being for thousands of years.
In my view, this is one of the greatest challenges of our time.
And this is what makes me very sad.
What is remarkable is that many of the most powerful tools for improving our health and well being are readily available to us and completely free…
- A glass of water first thing in the morning.
- A walk in the forest.
- Walking barefoot on the grass.
- Sunlight exposure.
- Eating meals mindfully and without rushing.
- Reading a good book.
- Yoga.
- Conscious breathing.
- The touch of a loved one.
- A meaningful conversation.
- An evening free from blue light exposure.
- Meditation.
- Deep, restorative sleep.
- …
These are simple practices, yet when repeated consistently, they have a profound impact on both physical and mental health and overall well being.
When we combine these habits with nutrient dense food, regular physical activity, and the ability to manage our mental and emotional resources effectively, it becomes almost impossible not to experience improvements in our energy, resilience, and overall quality of life.
My message to the world would be simple.
Reconnect with nature. Reconnect with yourself.
Do not underestimate the power of small daily habits.
Sometimes the most profound transformations come not from complicated solutions, but from returning to the simple things that human beings have always needed to thrive.
So little, yet so powerful.
Small steps lead to big transformation.
What is the greatest lesson you have learned in your life?
The greatest, and at the same time the longest, lesson of my life has been learning to follow my heart.
When I was a young mother facing the many challenges of raising children, including various health related concerns, I made a promise to myself.
I would do everything I could to raise my children in harmony with nature and support their well being in the best way possible.
From the very beginning, I focused on providing them with healthy, nutritious food.
I encouraged them to stay physically active, develop healthy habits, spend as much time in nature as possible, and appreciate the importance of a balanced lifestyle.
I avoided highly processed foods, unnecessary medications, and synthetic products whenever possible.
Today, my children are adults, and I am proud to see that many of those habits have stayed with them.
They still avoid fast food and sugary soft drinks, prioritize high quality nutrition, choose organic produce whenever possible, and pay attention to maintaining a healthy intake of protein.
I consider that one of my greatest personal successes.
However, my children were only the beginning of this journey.
Over time, healthy nutrition, living in alignment with natural rhythms, regular physical activity, spending time in nature, yoga, meditation, grounding, and sauna practices became much more than habits.
They became a way of life for my entire family.
Eventually, they also became the foundation of my professional path.
I realized that I wanted to inspire and motivate others to improve their health and well being.
More importantly, I wanted to become someone who could support people in creating lasting behavioral change and transforming their lives for the better.
So I followed my heart.
I worked hard, studied diligently, gained experience, completed courses and certifications, and spent countless hours reading and learning.
Every day, I kept one goal in mind.
To help others live healthier, happier, and more fulfilling lives.
That path has led me to where I am today.
Looking back, the most important lesson I have learned is that it was absolutely worth giving myself a chance and trusting the voice of my heart.
Some of the most meaningful opportunities in life begin when we have the courage to follow our deepest convictions, even when the destination is still unknown.
Your final thoughts?
I truly hope that conversations like this help raise awareness and inspire people to invest in themselves, improve their habits, and make positive changes in their lives.
My message is especially for those who are not currently experiencing the level of health, energy, or well being they desire.
I want them to know that small steps can lead to remarkable results.
Meaningful transformation does not require turning your entire life upside down overnight.
It begins with recognizing the powerful cause and effect relationship between small, healthy daily habits and improved physical, mental, and emotional well being.
I would also love to inspire others to rediscover a connection with nature, to appreciate the beauty of the natural world, animals, and the gifts that Mother Earth provides us every day.
Many of the things we take for granted today may one day become true luxuries.
That is why it is so important to appreciate what we have while it is still available to us.
My hope is that we learn to return to our roots and, if necessary, relearn the fundamentals of living in harmony with natural rhythms.
The more disconnected we become from nature, the more disconnected we often become from ourselves.
Let us respect nature, but let us also respect one another.
In a world that often feels rushed, divided, and overwhelmed, kindness, compassion, and human connection may be just as important for our well being as nutrition, exercise, and sleep.
Ultimately, health is not just about living longer.
It is about living better.
And that journey begins with awareness, intention, and one small step at a time.
If someone feels lost or unsure about where to begin their journey toward better health and well being, I would encourage them to consider working with a health coach.
Health coaching is still an underappreciated profession in many parts of the world, yet I believe it is one of the most valuable forms of support available to people who want to make meaningful and lasting lifestyle changes.
Knowledge alone is often not enough.
Many people already know what they should do, but they struggle with implementing those changes consistently in their daily lives.
This is where health coaching can make a profound difference.
A health coach provides structure, accountability, encouragement, and guidance throughout the change process, helping clients bridge the gap between knowing and doing.
I also believe that health coaching plays an important role not only for individual clients but for the healthcare system as a whole.
By supporting prevention, healthy habits, and sustainable behavior change, health coaches can help reduce the burden of chronic lifestyle related diseases and empower people to take a more active role in their own health.
I hope that health coaching continues to gain recognition as an essential part of a modern, preventive, and person centered approach to health and wellness.
Where Can You Find Anna Hirsch-Nowak?
If you liked this interview and if you would love to see how Coach Anna can help you improve your overall health and well being, attain harmony with nature by small daily tweaks to oyur lifestyle, and awaken your vitality, go to www.dietetyka-holistyczna.pl and see what she has to offer.
If you’d like to peake a glimpse into her coaching, follow her Instagram account.
And if you’d like to connect with her more personally, you can do that through LinkedIn or by sending her a direct message on her WhatsApp or her Email [email protected]. It was an honor having this interview with her.