Episode 19 - How to turn your personal story into a professional advantage with Jon McLernon

Have you ever wondered whether your personal story could help you professionally? 

Could sharing your own story help you differentiate yourself, stand out, connect better with people, overcome imposter syndrome, or simply grow as a person? 

Yes – all of the above, says  Coach Jon McLernon.

Jon is a nutrition coach who struggled with PTSD, depression, binge-eating, and poor health after a traumatic incident. After recovering and transforming his life, he went on to share his stories—and differentiate himself as a coach. 

Jon says his story became his biggest asset in business.

Since then, he went on to launch Between the Before & After, a podcast that shares inspiring real life stories of remarkable people overcoming significant adversity in their life. 

On his podcast, Jon has interviewed over 100 individuals about their stories, never shying away from the gritty and vulnerable details that make us messy and human.

In this episode, Jon opens up about his own story, how it’s helped him in business and life, and what he’s learned from other people’s stories. 

We explore:

• How a traumatic event sent Jon into a deep spiral of shame, binge eating, and depression—and how he turned his life around.
• Why forgiveness, self-compassion, and self care were at the heart of his journey (and his coaching practice.)
• How sharing his own story helped Jon grow personally AND professionally  — why his story has become his “biggest asset” in business.
• How Jon got over imposter syndrome and his fear of not looking like other “typical” fitness professionals.
• Why simple “before and after” narratives aren’t always useful, and why it’s worth exploring the “messy middle” of stories.
• Why Jon started a podcast instead of hustling on social media, and why he pivoted his podcast in a different direction.
• The value of listening to other people’s stories, including those who are very different from you.
• Why it’s worth letting go of your professional facade and opening yourself up to real, unscripted conversations. (And how to put your self consciousness aside.)
• Tips for both interviewing people and being interviewed. Hint: If you’re guesting on podcasts  or want to “give good interview”, there’s some really useful stuff here. 

Find Jon and Between The Before And After Podcast here: https://freedomnutritioncoach.com/between-the-before-and-after-podcast/