Meet Laura Tshilumba, CPA, HMCC | International Tax Specialist and Health Mindset Certified Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Laura Tshilumba, CPA, HMCC (also known as Coach LT) and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Laura, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
In all vulnerability, I never thought of starting my own health and wellness coaching business. I am a Certified Public Accountant by trade and almost my entire career has been about helping my clients navigate U.S. tax laws. However, coaching chose me, sort of. After my own self-love journey during the Pandemic of 2020 and sharing my story and experiences with other women, I realized that I was not alone in my pursuit of healing my body from diet trauma. I was not alone in my past experiences with diet culture and how it has taught me to demonize my own body. I decided to launch my own business because I wanted to revolutionize the way women feel in the body they have in the present – not the skinny body they are pursuing with diets that are detrimental to their mental health but the body they have today. I believe every woman deserves to feel and look good in the body she has today, not when she is fifteen pounds less from today. I want to empower women to transform how they feel in their bodies in their current season of life so that they can nurture their bodies to optimal health, without sacrificing their favorite foods and mental health.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My health and wellness coaching business is grounded in love and sacredness. I look at it as a healing ministry because when a woman heals the way she feels about her body, the vessel that allows her to experience all that life has to offer, she becomes a powerful woman ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬in almost all the roles she plays: mother, wife, sister, friend, prayer warrior, etc. This is my first year of launching my business and so far, the road has not been easy at all with many tears and frustrations along the way. However, I have been blessed enough to stay obedient to the calling and take it one day at a time. Each failure has been a teaching lesson, whether I knew it then or not. And each win has been a celebration with praise dance.
I want the world to know that my brand was birthed out of love, out of my own journey and it’s one of the many reasons why I can relate to my clients while giving them the accountability they need. I have put my body through all kinds of yo-yo diets all in the sake of losing weight. It wasn’t until I learned to tap into my body’s inner wisdom that I started to slowly find myself on a journey that would be a game-changer.
I wish I have had someone to show me how to really treat my body with acceptance, love and respect. That’s why I created my self-love coaching program, a program birthed with love, out of my own self-love and healing journey. I am now a vessel helping women heal their bodies from diet trauma. I guide them into accepting and respecting their bodies so that they can transform how they feel in the body they have in their current season of life.
I want to empower women with tools that will help them truly have a well-balanced lifestyle. I want them to take care of themselves in ways that feel authentic to them, understanding that their needs will differ from one season to the next and sometimes from one day to another.
I want them to have fun with their workouts, normalize the way their body feels and appreciate body diversity. I want them to understand that our powers come in different shapes, sizes, and weights.
My program is definitely not a one-size-fits-all type of program. It is catered toward the woman who is ready to ditch diet culture and embrace sustainable daily habits that will support her overall wellness – body, mind and spirit.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Is this a tricky question? I am a home girl who knows her way around the kitchen and love to experience different recipes to tease her taste buds LOL On a serious note, Atlanta is such a gem that there is almost everything for everyone. I live in North Atlanta and two of my fun places to go out for food or just hanging out are Historic Roswell and Avalon. My go to dining spot in Avalon is Rumi’s Kitchen. Their seabass dish is to die for and never fails to send my taste buds on a field trip. For brunch, I will take them to South City Kitchen in Avalon. Their Southern dishes are just delicious.
For barbecue, I love Smoke Jack in downtown Alpharetta. When I venture South, my other BBQ favorite is Fox Brothers.
For dessert, hands down – “Where’s the Scoop” in downtown Alpharetta for rolled ice creams.
For my adventurous friends, we will go hiking at Stone Mountains where there are many different trails for people of all fitness levels.
Of course, I will also take them to visit some of Atlanta’s landmarks like Martin Luther King’ Center, CNN, Coca-Cola World and the Aquarium.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am surrounded by so many people who play a major role in my success. My son who adds more fuel to my fire of leaving him with a legacy of generational wellness and self-care. My husband who supports me by making room for me to show up as my best self. He plays the Quarterback of the household when I’m busy. My coach Ekene Onu and her affirming community of ICONIC women. Through her Mastermind program, Ekene had coached me into rediscovering myself, leaning into my feminine energy and owning my power. She has been such a guiding light in my life. I just thank God for her. Her coaching helped me shift my mindset in such a transformative way that I never ever thought possible. And because of this mindset shift, I am more courageous and confident in pursuing my passions and opportunities, even when I do it afraid.

*ICONIC stands for: Inspired Courageous Original Necessary Intentional Confident

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourcoachlt/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauramtshilumba/

Image Credits
AIM Point Photo @aimpointphoto (only for the 2 pictures with orange dress)