We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel H.p and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
At its core, my business is about transformation—one person at a time. As a life coach, I help individuals access more happiness, joy, and fulfillment in their lives and relationships. I believe that when someone experiences true joy, they naturally spread that energy to those around them, creating a positive ripple effect in their families, communities, and beyond.

We aren’t typically taught how to cultivate happiness, build successful relationships, communicate effectively, or manage stress and emotions. Many of us struggle with inner obstacles that hold us back from living the lives we desire. When I discovered Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), it completely changed my perspective. In my opinion, NLP is one of the most valuable life skills a person could learn—it teaches mental and behavioral flexibility, empowering individuals to adapt, grow, and take control of their own paths without fear or limitation.

NLP encourages us to continuously assess whether our thoughts and behaviors are truly serving our goals. There is no rigid dogma—only what is effective for each person’s unique journey. This approach allows for constant growth and adaptation, giving people the confidence to evolve without fear, knowing that the power to shape their lives lies within them.

As a coach, I guide people through this process of self-discovery and change. Because NLP transformed my life for the better, I am passionate about sharing these tools with others. When someone gains confidence, clarity, and a deeper sense of fulfillment, they uplift those around them. I may not change the world single-handedly, but I do believe in the power of people to create positive change. When given the right support and tools, individuals can thrive—and in doing so, they naturally contribute to a happier, healthier world.

At Fierce and Free Life Coaching, my mission is simple: to help people unlock their potential, embrace joy, and pass that light forward. One person at a time, we can build a world that is more empowered, connected, and full of possibility.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My journey into life coaching wasn’t easy, and to be honest, when I started, I had no clear vision of what it would look like. All I knew was that I wanted to help others experience the same sense of possibility and transformation that I had. But translating that passion into a tangible career? That part was far from straightforward.

At first, I wasn’t familiar with life coaching as a profession—how it worked, how to structure my services, or how to market myself. And as a sex coach, the challenges were even greater. I quickly discovered that talking about sexuality and pleasure made it nearly impossible to advertise on social media platforms. My content was often flagged or restricted, and people kept advising me to use coded language to bypass censorship. But to me, that felt like a betrayal of my message. How could I help people release shame and embrace openness if I had to censor myself at every turn?

On top of that, I was never much of a social media user to begin with, so the idea of pouring all my efforts into an online presence—just because that’s what others said I should do—felt exhausting and inauthentic. Eventually, I realized that if I was trying to do something meaningful while making myself miserable in the process, the message wouldn’t land. My work had to feel aligned with me.

That shift in perspective changed everything. Instead of forcing myself into social media marketing strategies that drained me, I leaned into what felt natural and enjoyable—leading workshops, writing, and creating real conversations around personal growth. It wasn’t about playing by someone else’s rules; it was about finding my own way to connect with people who needed what I had to offer.

I also struggled with promoting myself in general. Marketing always felt pushy to me, and I resisted the idea of constantly selling my work. But then I kept reminding myself of something my sister—an NLP master who started her own business at 21 and now has 25 employees—once told me: You have to think of your efforts as attempts to help people. If people don’t hear about your work, how will they ever get the help they need? That mindset shift made all the difference.

What I’ve learned along the way is that success isn’t about following a predetermined formula—it’s about staying true to yourself while finding ways to reach and serve others. My coaching is built on that belief. I help people break free from limitations, rewrite their stories, and step into their own power, because I know firsthand how transformative that journey can be. And if there’s one thing I want the world to know, it’s this: Change is always possible. The path may not be easy, but when you embrace it fully and authentically, the possibilities are endless.

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.
If my best friend were visiting, there’s no question where I’d take them first—Venice Beach. It’s my all-time favorite spot in LA, and whenever family or friends come to town, that’s the place I want them to experience. When I first moved here 11 years ago, I spent an entire week just soaking in the energy of Venice, and I still love it just as much today.

There’s something special about the mix of people—artists, skaters, musicians, free spirits—and the magic of seeing dolphins play in the waves as you walk along the shore. We’d grab fries dusted with flavored salt from one of the boardwalk stands and watch the skateboarders pull off tricks at the park. But the real highlight? The sunset beach dance circles. It’s one of the most authentic, beautiful experiences in the city. People show up with their own instruments and create spontaneous, vibrant music. Some join in and dance, others just watch and take it all in, but it’s this incredible coming together of people from all walks of life, sharing joy through music and movement.

For nightlife, my go-to is The Abbey in West Hollywood. It’s hands-down one of the best places in the city for a night out. No dress code, no pretension—just a place where you can show up exactly as you are and be welcomed with open arms. The music is fantastic, the food is delicious (which isn’t always the case with nightlife spots!), the entrance is free, and the lines move fast. And of course, the dancers are gorgeous.

The rest of the week would be a mix of classic LA adventures—hiking up to the Griffith Observatory for that unbeatable city view, Santa Monica Pier, and a road trip up the coast to Malibu (especially Point Dume) for a beach day. LA has so much to offer, but for me, it’s about the places that feel alive—where people are expressing themselves, connecting, and sharing an experience. That’s what makes this city special.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Every journey is shaped by the people, ideas, and experiences that come into our lives at just the right moment. For me, one of the most pivotal influences was Emily Nagoski, a brilliant sex educator whose book Come As You Are completely transformed my understanding of sexuality, pleasure, and self-acceptance.

I was in my early twenties, working on my undergraduate degree in gender and sexuality studies, when I first read her book. At that point, I had already been deep in a personal journey of self-love and self-acceptance. I had learned so much about communication, emotional resilience, and the specific challenges that people—particularly women—face in a patriarchal world, from body image struggles to sexual trauma. Yet, despite all my knowledge and confidence, there was one area that still felt elusive to me: sexuality. And I knew I wasn’t alone.

So many of the young women around me—self-assured, outspoken, strong—were still held back in their intimate lives by barriers they couldn’t fully articulate. They were having unpleasurable experiences, carrying shame, or struggling to let go, even when they deeply wanted to. I had recognized that this was a cultural issue, but I couldn’t quite explain why or how it worked—until I read Nagoski’s book.

She put the science behind what I had intuitively felt for years. Her explanation of the sexual excitation and inhibition systems was a revelation. Suddenly, all the pieces fell into place. It was, as she describes in the book, the kind of discovery where you can no longer understand how you ever missed it in the first place. Her work didn’t just answer my questions—it ignited a fire in me. I knew I had to use this knowledge to help others the way it had helped me.

That inspiration led me to start a campus club offering sex education to college students, something I couldn’t have done without the incredible support of Emily June—a close friend, a fellow student at the time, and now a fellow life coach specializing in transitions and new beginnings. Her insight, encouragement, and passion for helping others were invaluable in those early days, and it’s been amazing to watch both of our coaching journeys evolve in different but complementary ways.

That experience led me to sex coaching, and eventually, when I discovered NLP, I realized my impact didn’t need to be limited to sexuality. While many of my clients still come to me for intimacy and relationship challenges, the tools I use now allow me to help people in all areas of life—empowerment, confidence, personal growth, and beyond.

So, my deepest gratitude goes to Emily Nagoski, whose work set me on this path; to Emily June, whose friendship and shared passion continue to inspire me; and to all the clients who trust me with their journeys. Their growth fuels my passion every day.

Website: https://fiercefreecoaching.com/

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

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.