Spotting Strengths: The Secret Tool in My Wellness Coaching Kit

A few years ago, I was knee-deep in study, juggling multiple wellness trainings and honestly, not in the mood to read anything that wasn’t on the syllabus. But then, a good friend of mine,who was training to become a yoga teacher—mentioned something called the VIA Character Strengths Survey. At the time, I shrugged it off. Another test? No thanks. But something about it stayed with me

Later on, as I was contemplating Functional Medicine Coaching, the concept popped up again. This time, I paid attention. I took the survey. And while a few of the results felt obvious (yes, love of learning is absolutely me), a couple genuinely surprised me. They challenged how I saw myself—and that was a good thing.

Since then, I’ve not only used those insights to guide my own wellness journey, but I’ve made strength-spotting a core part of how I support my clients. It’s not fluff. It’s not a gimmick. It’s one of the most powerful, grounding tools I’ve come across for helping women tap into their own inner fire.

Why Strengths Matter in Wellness

A lot of the wellness world focuses on fixing what’s “wrong.” I’m not here for that energy. I’m about looking at what’s already right—what’s strong, what’s vibrant, what’s waiting to be amplified.

This isn’t just a feel-good practice. It’s rooted in science. Positive Psychology shows that leaning into your innate character strengths—things like bravery, love of learning, perseverance—can boost motivation, resilience, and overall wellbeing. Studies show it helps with stress management, builds confidence, and supports sustainable lifestyle changes (Functional Medicine Coaching Academy, Virtual Health Coaches).

A Real-Life Example: Strengths-Based Support for a Premenopausal Client

Here’s a snapshot from one of my client sessions. Melanie (name changed) came to me struggling with fatigue, mood swings, and creeping weight gain—classic signs of perimenopause. She felt like her body was betraying her, and nothing she tried seemed to help.

Instead of jumping into supplements or a long list of do’s and don’ts, I invited her to take the VIA Strengths Survey. Her top strengths? Curiosity, Love of Learning, and Kindness.

We treated those as guiding lights. Rather than reacting in fear to the hormonal changes, she leaned into her curiosity. She began journaling about her symptoms, researching adaptogens, and approaching GP appointments with sharper questions. The whole thing turned into a self-led exploration.

Her kindness? That softened the inner critic. She shifted from punishing her body to partnering with it. Together, we designed a self-care plan filled with nourishing meals, gentle movement, and rest—with no guilt allowed.

The impact was powerful. Her energy came back. She started sleeping better. Most importantly, she stopped viewing this transition as a breakdown. It became a breakthrough.

Strength-Based Coaching Is a Game Changer

Once I saw how strength-spotting worked in my own life, I couldn’t ignore its power in my coaching practice. It’s empowering. It’s human. And it works.

If you’re curious about your own strengths, try the VIA Character Strengths Survey. It’s free, simple, and eye-opening.

And if you're ready to go deeper,to build a wellness path anchored in who you truly are , please get in touch. We can co-create something grounded in your strengths, your wisdom, and your vision.

Oneness Wholeness & Peace

Alicia

References

1. Niemiec, R. M. (2018). Character Strengths Interventions: A Field Guide for Practitioners. Hogrefe Publishing.→ A leading manual for using strengths in real-world coaching and therapy practices.

2. Seligman, M. E. P., & Peterson, C. (2004). Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification. Oxford University Press.→ Foundational text on the development of the VIA Character Strengths framework.

3. Wood, A. M., Linley, P. A., Maltby, J., Kashdan, T. B., & Hurling, R. (2011). Using personal and psychological strengths leads to increases in well-being over time: A longitudinal study and the development of the Strengths Use Questionnaire. Personality and Individual Differences, 50(1), 15-19.→ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2010.08.004

4. Linley, P. A., Nielsen, K. M., Wood, A. M., Gillett, R., & Biswas-Diener, R. (2010). Using signature strengths in pursuit of goals: Effects on goal progress, need satisfaction, and well-being, and implications for coaching psychologists. International Coaching Psychology Review, 5(1), 6-15.→ Available via the British Psychological Society

5. VIA Institute on Character. (2024). What Are Character Strengths?→ https://www.viacharacter.org/character-strengths→ Comprehensive resource explaining the 24 strengths and how they apply in life and coaching.

6. Functional Medicine Coaching Academy. (2023). Strengths-Based Coaching Toolkit.→ https://functionalmedicinecoaching.org→ Offers practitioner tools for integrating character strengths into health coaching.