Interview With Craig Bruce

Rich Parsons (Your Success Magazine): Before I jump into some questions that will help readers get to know more about what you do, I want to give you a chance to tell us a little more about yourself before we get started.

Craig Bruce: My name is Craig Bruce. I am a former burned out global executive who struggled with exhaustion, poor sleep, inconsistent food choices and feeling confident in my own skin. I was so driven that my lifestyle started to impact my health and relationships. In fact, I was so driven that I landed in the doctor’s office who ordered bed rest. But my version of bed rest was my laptop, cell phone and conference calls while “resting” in bed. And in that moment, I finally realized that my current lifestyle had become my “new normal” and it was killing me! Something had to change! I had to become an advocate for my own health and well-being! I have since transformed my health and changed my lifestyle using science-based behaviors. Now, as a Certified Health and Lifestyle Consultant, I guide other executives & entrepreneurs who find themselves in a similar situation to a life that is harmonious, healthy, and limitless!

I believe that your health & lifestyle is a DECISION, and YOU OWN IT!

I hold an MBA from Vanderbilt University and a business degree from UNC Chapel Hill. I previously worked as a partner at Hewitt Associates for over 25 years, living internationally for over 5 years. I have also worked as a Health Coach & Educator for the Equinox Sports Club Los Angeles and own my own health and lifestyle business. I’ve partnered with hundreds of clients to fight burnout on their adventure to reignite their energy and live a life of clarity, intention, and integrity.

RP: Please tell us what piqued your interest in health and lifestyle consulting and what accounts for your success

up to this point.

CB: During my management consulting career, I would often get asked “Craig, if you weren’t consulting, what would you be doing?” My reply was, “I think I would get into health & lifestyle coaching.”

After retiring from consulting, I began a 5-year journey that included going back to school researching science- based solutions for the mind and body. All my learnings became “best practices” that I use every day. Seven years later, I’m consistently making better food choices and have a body I feel confident in. I have more energy during the day and, at night, I “sleep like a baby”. And best of all, I now “honor space” for the relationships that matter!

Being able to bring all that I’ve learned to others and help them shift their lives for the better is such a gift. I love watching the light return to people’s eyes and witnessing them truly enjoy their new lifestyles and find strength and health that they never dreamed possible.

RP: What can someone expect when they bring you on as their health and lifestyle consultant?

CB: I offer individualized coaching programs (or adventures as I call them) that get the best RESULTS, in the shortest period. I design every program to include 3 components. I like to call these the 3 legs of a stool. You take out any one of them and the stool falls. In working with me, clients can expect the 3 legs of the stool to serve as their foundation of health and wellness:

The right SYSTEM ? a proven process involving the “right” steps to create sustainable habits

The right SUPPORT ? someone to encourage and guide you, especially when you’re feeling stuck

The right ACCOUNTABILITY ? someone who follows up with you on your action steps that you own

RP: If there was one thing that you could share that makes your consulting and coaching stand out from others, what would it be?

CB: Many consultants in the health and wellness space are focused on radical change that ends up being unsustainable, especially for busy executives. I understand the demands of a high achieving career and I designed my process around that. The goal of getting healthy is to truly enjoy your success and to be able to keep up with the level you’re used to working at, while avoiding burnout. I’ve been there and done that and have personally struggled to find that work/life harmony of being able to show up as the best and healthiest version of myself in all areas of my life. I created my 12-week science-based adventure based on 4 Pillars — Mindset, Nourish, Restore and Move. My clients are developing sustainable, life-changing behaviors.

RP: What new and exciting things are on the horizon for you and your business?

CB: I’m excited that I’m adding functional diagnostic nutrition capabilities and certification to my consulting in 2022.

This certification will allow me to partner with my clients to investigate underlying causes of unwanted conditions including lifestyle, the environment, and individual weak links in metabolism. It involves collecting and interpreting personal lab data and other information, and presenting proven, professional, and totally individualized recommendations to help clients build long-term health. This will allow us to address individual issues more precisely and target them more effectively.

RP: With the success you have created for yourself and your clients, please share a particular success story that really stands out to you.

CB: Success is about progress NOT perfection. I use these words with all my clients. At the end of each adventure, I ask my clients to identify their top 3 most empowering lessons and what they learned. Here is one client’s response which reflects multiple clients’ results.

Lesson #1: Notice and Name technique —This technique taught me to pause, “consciously” observe and identify what I’m thinking, feeling, and experiencing.

Lesson #2: Mindful eating — Understanding that how I eat is just as important as what I eat, and the impact on my energy.

Lesson #3: Boundaries — Setting boundaries is a good practice. Boundaries allow me to communicate to others what’s important to me and give me back my control.

I love that they were able to pull out these lessons, among others, from our work together. I think that part of any adventure must be not only what you learn, but also the long-term outcome. When my clients develop sustainable habits and practices that come with the shift in how they see themselves and the relationship to the world around them, then I know I’ve done my job well!

RP: So, if there was one thing, the most important thing, that you would want people to know about you, what would it be?

CB: Because of the work I’ve done for myself and with my clients, I find myself living a life where my purpose, passion and expertise have converged. My Purpose is to foster an inclusive environment where people embrace their uniqueness and soar! My Passion is to serve and guide others to live a life of clarity, intention, and integrity. My expertise is science-based health and lifestyle coaching.

I love bringing people into alignment with their own purposes and passions as well. It’s all part of the adventure!

RP: Is there a particular product, service, or offer that you really want to highlight for the audience?

CB: 12 Weeks to Reignite Your Energy and Live a Limitless Life 1:1 Coaching Adventure During the 12-Week Adventure, clients:

-Develop a powerful vision for increasing your energy and living the life you want

-Uncover what’s been stopping you or slowing you down from having the energy and life you once had

-Discover the mindset, nourish, restore, and move lifestyle habits that will revitalize your energy and help you prioritize your life

-Develop and execute a step-by-step habit-based plan for creating the energy and life you want (and once had)

RP: Do you have a favorite quote, mantra, book or person that gives you energy and /or inspiration? Why?

CB: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” – African Proverb

As I evolve as an entrepreneur, I’m finding that it is important to collaborate with other entrepreneurs, be part of heart-centered communities and have a coach to guide me.

RP: I like to end my guest interviews with a lighthearted question that I believe gives a glimpse into what makes a person great and special at what they do.

Craig, what would you say is your SUPERPOWER and how does it help you in what you do?

CB: I love this question because I’m very clear on my superpowers! My superpowers are:

-Developing long-term relationships

-Seeing the big picture for my client, yet

-Able to get into the details of the science and their data

RP: Thanks, Craig, for taking the time to sharing and allowing myself and those reading this to get to know you on a deeper level.