As the founder of Uplift Healthy Lifestyle, Vicky Cleary coaches professional women to build healthier habits, manage stress, and show up as the leaders they’re meant to be––one small, intentional step at a time. “You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight,” Cleary said. “You just need to start with one thing. A five-minute walk at lunch, an extra serving of vegetables at dinner, a glass of water when you first wake up. Those little shifts add up.”
Cleary doesn’t just teach sustainable changes. She lives them.
Her morning routine, which she built slowly over time, started with a glass of water after waking up. After she got that into routine, she added a breathwork exercise, then a five-minute yoga session, and then a five-minute walk on the treadmill. “It’s not fancy. It’s not complicated. I do the same yoga stretches every morning,” she said. “But it helps me start the day feeling grounded and intentional. And because it’s a routine I’ve built up over time, piece by piece, I’ve actually stuck with it.
Cleary’s connection to the Health & Wellness Coalition began long before she launched her coaching business. Years ago, while working at a local ad agency, she worked on a campaign for the Health & Wellness Coalition that focused on small behavior changes like swapping a donut for an apple or parking farther from the door to get extra steps in. At the time, she didn’t know how central those ideas would become to her own philosophy on wellness.
Today, Cleary is an active volunteer with the Health & Wellness Coalition, joining the Walktober planning committee and starting the Walktober Facebook group, which has become a year-round hub for a community of walkers. “People use the group to share photos and motivate each other. It’s so simple, just walking, but it’s powerful.” Walktober is one of the Coalition’s most accessible programs. “You don’t need special gear. You don’t need an hour. You just need to show up and walk,” Cleary said. “Walking relieves stress. Fresh air boosts your mood. And being in community makes it all more enjoyable.”
Cleary also attends the Health & Wellness Coalition’s Working Well Conference. Each time, she finds takeaways that enrich her personal routines and coaching practice. “The information presented is so relevant to what I do,” she said. “And it’s easy to take it and turn it into something actionable for the women I coach.” The Coalition also offers valuable resources and relationships for small business owners. Cleary said the relationships she’s formed through volunteering and attending Coalition events have expanded her network. “And it’s not just about me getting visibility as a business owner,” she said. “It’s about learning, sharing, and contributing to the community.”
Her work as business owner, wellness advocate, and volunteer with the Health & Wellness Coalition is a reflection of her philosophy: meaningful change starts with just one step.
