Wellness means something different to everyone, yet it remains a shared pursuit. It spans the physical, emotional, and mental dimensions of our lives, shaping how we show up in the world.
In a time where life feels increasingly demanding and digital noise surrounds us, nurturing wellness is more essential than ever. Embracing well-being allows us to build resilience, find balance, and live with intention.
Noozhawk’s annual Wellness Guide recognizes this multifaceted journey and offers a space to explore it more deeply. This year’s edition is designed to empower our readers with guidance, inspiration, and actionable tips to enrich their personal wellness practices.
By spotlighting local wellness leaders and businesses, we aim to connect our community with the tools and support they need to thrive. Through candid conversations and shared expertise, we hope to ignite new habits and help our readers prioritize their health from the inside out.
In this interview, Noozhawk spoke to Kathy Gruver with Kathy Gruver Coaching, to learn more about the meaningful work they’re doing in the Santa Barbara community.
Kathy Gruver Coaching
Question: What motivated you to start this health and wellness business, and what inspired the specific services or products you offer?
Answer: I started doing medical massage and bodywork over 30 years ago and the more clients I saw the more I realized they were looking for a health partner not just someone to put an elbow into the knot. I started studying more and more and became a Reiki master, a hypnotherapist, a coach, and most recently, a psychedelic coach.
The more I learn and grow, the more I’m able to support others by sharing what I’ve discovered. I recently enrolled in 150 hours of continuing education—not because I need them for certification, but because I’m a lifelong, curious learner. My drive is simple: the more I know, the more people I can help.
What began as a general life coaching practice has evolved into something much more expansive. Over time, I’ve integrated couples coaching, Internal Family Systems, Compassionate Inquiry, psychedelic preparation and integration, and most recently, spiritual coaching.
As my own journey of growth and awakening continues, I feel called to share the tools and insights I gather with others who are also seeking.
So yes, I can still find and release the muscle that hurts—but I can also help someone navigate relationship struggles, workplace communication challenges, or a spiritual crisis.
My current offerings include medical massage, life and couples coaching, psychedelic integration coaching, Reiki, hypnotherapy, and spiritual coaching.
Q: Can you provide an overview of the unique value proposition of your business and how it distinguishes itself in the crowded wellness market?
A: What truly sets me apart is the depth and breadth of my training across multiple healing modalities. While I know many skilled massage therapists, coaches, and hypnotherapists, it’s rare to find someone who weaves them all together into one cohesive, intuitive practice.
With over 30 years of experience, I’ve built a toolbox that allows me to meet each client exactly where they are.
I’ve had massage clients walk in and leave after a deep coaching session. I’ve had executive coaching clients arrive expecting to talk strategy—only to end up unpacking a personal conflict from that morning. This fluidity is what I call “dancing in the moment,” and it’s where the real work often begins.
It’s a privilege to hold this kind of space. My work doesn’t just live in my office—it shows up in my workshops, in my books, and in front of audiences around the world. I’ve written eight books on stress, communication, and wellness, and have spoken to over 350 audiences globally, including two TEDx talks.
My personal journey also informs everything I do. I lost my mother at 18, and I’ve faced the heartbreak of losing loved ones to suicide. I’m also a dancer, a trapeze artist, and an aerialist—which means I know firsthand the connection between physical injury, emotional resilience, and mental health.
All of these experiences have shaped how I support others—whether they’re healing, growing, or simply looking for what’s next.
Q: How do you ensure that your services or products align with current health trends and consumer needs?
A: For me, it really comes down to having a wide range of knowledge. If something’s trending in health and wellness—or even just starting to surface—I’ve probably heard of it, studied it, or have it on my list to dive into soon.
When more clients started coming in with grief, I took three different grief courses. After losing a family member to suicide, I sought out trainings on post-suicide growth. And because pretty much everyone carries some form of childhood trauma, I got certified in early childhood trauma techniques.
I try to stay tuned in to what my community needs and make sure I have the tools to support them—while always staying in my lane as a coach. My goal is to show up informed, present, and ready to meet people where they are.
Q: What strategies do you employ to maintain a high standard of quality and consistency across your offerings?
A: For me, it always comes back to learning and growing—both in what I study and in how I create the space where healing happens. I’m always making little upgrades to my office. Lately, I added sound healing tools and some lovely new furniture to make it feel more inviting and supportive.
I really listen to my clients and make sure each session lines up with what they’re hoping to get out of it. Whether we’re doing coaching or bodywork, consistency is a big part of real healing.
I’ve got a good memory when it comes to my clients—I notice the small changes in their bodies, and I can usually recall things we talked about even five sessions ago. And I take notes too, just to keep everything on track and make sure nothing gets missed.
Q: How do you approach customer feedback and incorporate it into improving your business?
A: Especially during massage, I want to know if what I’m doing is working. More pressure, less pressure, different music, less talking, more heat. The whole idea of bodywork and coaching is to customize to the needs of whoever is in front of you.
Q: How do you stay informed about regulatory changes and industry standards relevant to your business?
A: I’m a member of the International Coaching Federation and also the Institute of Coaching through Harvard. So, for my coaching practice I am definitely up on what is happening in the industry.
The ICF is the gold standard for coaches and I keep up with my certifications and follow their guidelines. I’m also a member of several other organizations for massage, hypnosis, and psychedelic research and regulations.
Q: What role do partnerships or collaborations play in your business strategy, and how do you select potential partners that align with your brand values?
A: I don’t have formal partnerships in my practice, but I’ve built strong relationships with professionals in complementary fields. Over the years, I’ve received referrals from chiropractors, physical therapists, and even orthopedic surgeons who trust the work I do.
I also keep a go-to list of trusted practitioners I refer my own clients to—everyone from esthetians and physical therapists to chiropractors and specialized surgeons. It’s important to me that my clients get the full circle of care they need, even if it’s something I don’t provide.
I’ve had times in the past where I say, “I can’t help you with what you need, let’s find someone who can.”
Q: Can you discuss any plans for expansion or diversification of your health and wellness business in the future?
A: Right now I’m incredibly happy with my offerings. Being that they are so diverse I do not see changing anything major in the future. I will certainly be expanding my education which will enhance my current offerings of coaching, massage, hypnosis and Reiki.
Q: How do you envision your business evolving to meet the changing needs and preferences of consumers in the health and wellness industry?
A: I’ve been pretty much ahead of the curve in health and wellness since I started my practice in Santa Barbara in 2002. I like to stay informed of current trends in wellness and new modalities and systems that can help people in my orbit heal and be the best version of themselves.
Q: Finally, what do you believe sets your health and wellness business apart from competitors, and how do you maintain a competitive edge in the market?
A: What sets me aside as a coach is my ability to listen deeply and hear even below the words of what my client is saying. It’s about recognizing tone and intention in many cases.
Also, given my background in various techniques and systems I often have a tool in my toolbox to pull out no matter what my client brings to me. It’s really about being present to what my client is bringing and how I can be open to holding space for that need in that moment.
For me, it always comes back to a deep dedication to learning—because the more I know, the more I can support the people who come to me. I see myself as a lifelong health partner. Some of my clients have been with me for over 25 years.
I’ve seen them through all stages of life—from being single to getting married, to supporting them through pregnancy and birth. I’ve helped long-time clients recover from strokes, navigate a breast cancer diagnosis, and so much more.
It’s not uncommon for me to think of a client and reach out just to check in. My commitment to both growing in my craft and showing up for my clients runs deep.
On a practical level, I keep my fees reasonable and maintain a warm, welcoming space in the heart of Santa Barbara. Whether you’re just visiting or plan to stick around for the long haul, I’d be honored to walk alongside you on your health and healing journey.
Click here to learn more about Kathy Gruver Coaching.
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