Our Founding Story

Like so many others, Coach Woody’s path started with a simple question: “What do you want to do with your life?” And like many others, he had no idea at the ripe age of 17 years old.. A love for animals and the outdoors made wildlife biology seem like the right fit—but he found out quickly that just because you have an interest, doesn’t mean it is your calling.

But while in college, Coach Woody found another passion - fitness. He found it wasn’t just the physical aspect, but the process—pushing through discomfort, getting stronger, and realizing that small daily efforts lead to bigger transformations. Growth, in any area, comes from taking responsibility and embracing the hard things.

After graduation, he put his diploma on the wall….and forgot about it (read: your degree does not define you). Venturing into the world of health and fitness. A job at a health club started with 4:30 AM front desk shifts. Promotions followed—Member Services, Fitness Director, Personal Trainer, Director of Operations—alongside a master’s degree in kinesiology and a certification in personal training. Everything looked great on paper. But climbing the ladder doesn’t matter if it’s leaning against the wrong wall.

That realization led to starting a business: Human Movement. Working directly with clients, the conversations always started the same way—weight loss goals, getting stronger, feeling more confident in the mirror. But before long, the truth came out: “I feel stuck.” “I’m exhausted.” “I’m so stressed about my job that I can’t even take care of myself.”Beneath every “I want to lose 10 pounds” was a deeper struggle—self-worth, stress, burnout, lack of fulfillment. Most people weren’t just looking for a better body; they were looking for a better life…..but without direction, they were searching in the wrong places.

This led to a bigger question: If exercise isn’t enough to create lasting change, what is? His research into a broader definition of well-being showed him what many know now: it’s more than just physical, mental, emotional, social, financial, and even spiritual. But that led to the next issue—trying to optimize everything at once is a fast track to burnout. The real key isn’t balance; it’s knowing what actually matters.

After years of research and testing, the missing piece became clear: Directional Well-being. Purpose. Values. A clear path. It’s the foundation for everything else. Because when you know where you’re going, you can finally answer the other questions:

• How much is enough? (For work, for money, for health, for relationships?)

• What’s worth your time? (And what’s just adding to the noise?)

• What does success actually look like—for you?

And thus, Next Better and Wellbeing Continuums Model was born.

Coach Woody’s mission now isn’t hikes in the woods and looking for wildlife (although that still brings him joy).

It’s helping you wake up with Purpose and being grateful for what you have, while working toward what matters. It’s taking responsibility for building a life that feels fulfilling and meaningful.

And when people live with that kind of clarity, they don’t just change their own lives. They change the world.

Coach Woody’s Highlights

• 14+ Years Coaching Experience

• Lecturer at Purdue University

  • Health & Kinesiology

  • Entrepreneurship

• Host of the NextBetter Podcast

• Certified Life Purpose Coach

• Worked with THOUSANDS of clients in Life Performance

• Founded or advised 4 Start-Up Companies