Emma Terrazas on How Small Steps and Daily Rituals Build Lasting Health

The Coaches' Corner

Emma Terrazas, a lifestyle and nutrition coach from Chicago’s southeast suburbs, offers a refreshingly simple approach to health. For Emma, it’s less about massive, sweeping changes and more about tuning into small, consistent actions that build over time. With a background as an athlete and a lifestyle grounded in nutrition and mindful routines, Emma is passionate about guiding others toward sustainable health—one manageable step at a time.

Growing up, Emma’s days were filled with sports and outdoor adventures, a millennial’s dream world before the digital age. Raised in a Mexican and Italian household, she enjoyed the best of both worlds—rich cultural traditions, amazing food, and a strong sense of family. Her love for movement and sport developed naturally, helping her stay grounded and connected to her body. This early exposure to an active lifestyle set the foundation for her later pursuit of health and coaching.

Emma’s athletic journey continued into college, where she played lacrosse at DePaul University. The rigorous demands of competitive sports sparked her interest in nutrition and the importance of fueling her body. Emma began to see food not just as sustenance but as a means to optimize her performance and energy. After graduation, she shifted her focus toward a lifestyle that would keep her feeling her best, outside the structure of athletics.

“Finding my why was crucial,” Emma shares, reflecting on the transition. As an aspiring entrepreneur and actor, she needed energy, mental clarity, and resilience—not just for herself but to bring her best to the world. Realizing the power of nutrition and physical well-being in shaping her outlook, Emma adopted a lifestyle where each habit was designed to support her purpose. For her, the process wasn’t about extreme workouts or restrictive diets but finding joy in simple actions that made her feel alive.

One of Emma’s top recommendations for anyone seeking to improve their well-being is to get outside first thing in the morning. She explains, “Getting out of the house, going for a walk, and letting the morning light hit your eyes—it’s such a boost for your circadian rhythm.” According to Emma, this one act, especially if done without immediately checking your phone, sets a positive tone for the day. She believes that small shifts like this are the key to creating real change.

For Emma, the goal isn’t to overhaul your lifestyle overnight but to test and explore what works for you. “I love thinking about health and routines as an experiment. You’re your own project,” she says, encouraging her clients to see their bodies as something to care for, not punish. She finds that health goals stick better when approached with curiosity and excitement, rather than dread or obligation.

Emma’s coaching style is all about meeting people where they are, especially when they’re new to fitness or unsure how to start. She emphasizes that feeling good doesn’t have to be complicated: just moving your body, nourishing it well, and giving yourself grace. Her focus on personalizing routines is what makes her coaching approach unique. Emma tailors each plan around her clients’ lives and stresses that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.

Emma’s insights go beyond physical routines. She often reminds her clients that belief plays a huge role in transformation. “What you believe you deserve is what you’ll receive,” she says, explaining that true change comes when you genuinely feel worthy of health and happiness. It’s a principle that’s simple but not always easy to adopt, especially in a world that often distracts from personal well-being.

Working with Emma is as much about building confidence as it is about changing habits. For her, health is not about striving for perfection but learning to be present and joyful in the body you have. “You’re creating a lifestyle, not following a rigid plan,” she adds, underscoring that the path to wellness should be rewarding, not stressful.

In Emma’s view, health doesn’t need to be a mystery. Her passion is helping people discover their own version of wellness and build it piece by piece, day by day. Whether you’re just starting or looking to deepen your practice, Emma’s advice rings clear: start small, be patient, and find joy in the journey.