COPY ME with Sam Ciccone 🍵

The Holistic Health Coach on feeling good from the inside out and the best sourdough pizza in Philly

Jun 20, 2025

Today I’m launching a new interview-style vertical over here in my little Don’t Copy Me corner, aptly named Copy Me (!!). Here, we allow copying. When I started this newsletter, I knew I wanted to have an interview component as I am nothing if not nosy (plus, as some of you may know, I used to interview people for a living). Keep reading if you, too, enjoy getting an inside look at someone else’s “why”.

So excited to kick off this series with my former wellness coach, Sam Ciccone. I reached out to Sam at the start of 2024 and knew immediately after our 30-minute intro call I wanted to work with her. The program that followed taught me what “doing the work” actually means. It’s not always easy, nor is it supposed to be, but it is a peaceful, reflective journey that brings you a little closer to self-actualization. Working with Sam pushed me when I needed it most; she held up a mirror to habits, behaviors, and routines that no longer made sense, while helping me create ones that did. I still reference some of our coaching docs and resources when I’m feeling particularly stuck (the power of honest journaling!).

We’ve kept in touch via Instagram, where her posts are always a breath of fresh air in the often clogged up scroll of curated-to-perfection statics and reels. I’ve especially loved her weekly series detailing how she’s striving to feel physically and mentally her best from the inside out. I think we all could benefit from doing a little more of that. Earlier this week Sam was kind enough to sit down and chat with me on a gloomy morning in Rittenhouse Square Park about her unique coaching approach, blocking out the noise, and of course, her favorite spots in Philly. So many takeaways from this, prepare to bookmark. ENJOY!!!

You launched your coaching business 2 years ago. What led you to taking that leap?

I always knew that I wanted to be an entrepreneur because I ran my own painting business in college, and I always thought entrepreneurship was so cool, but I didn't think I was capable of doing it. I took the safe route: a degree in finance and going into sales. Once COVID hit, I took that pause to be like, Wait, do I actually like this? And the answer was no.

I hired a life coach, and we were working through things like: What do I actually want? What are the limiting beliefs and the fears and the things that are holding me back? Health coaching kept coming up in different ways, and once I started researching coaching programs, I was like, I want to do this. I did it while I was working full time, and I didn't plan on actually leaving corporate. But as I went through it, my teachers were running their own health coaching businesses, and I was like, well if they can do it, maybe I can do it, too. By the time I graduated from that program, I decided to quit my corporate job and just go all in.

I think there are pros and cons to being corporate versus being self-employed, but doing something you’re passionate about…

Yes, 100%. It’s worth it when you have a deep “why”.

What is your “why”?

I want to help people feel healthier and happier. The wellness space can feel overwhelming, especially with social media, so I want to make it more empowering. I believe in an individualized approach. I believe in balance and enjoying life, and that small, consistent changes can truly add up. You don't have to overhaul your whole routine in one day. That's at the core of everything I do.

How have you carved out your own lane?

That was a lot more challenging at the beginning, especially when I was thinking about: what is my mission, my brand, my niche. I gave myself permission to figure it out on my own as I worked with clients and did workshops, and like, what really lights me up? What results are my clients getting? What are they coming to me for? I work with women in their 20s and women in their 60s. I work with men. Anyone!

What are some of the highs and lows you’ve experienced since launching Sam Ciccone Wellness?

The highs can look like finishing a coaching session and just being like, I get to be here to support someone as they work on their goals and work through their challenges…really most of what I do I love. Also, collaborating with other people in the wellness space, whether it's doing a retreat, a group coaching program, or a workshop. Solopreneurship can be lonely, and I know you know that too, but having people and meeting people that are also doing the same thing makes it feel more normal and keeps you going.

And the low moments…well, the fear, because you're responsible for everything. Like, if I never get another one-on-one client, and my business fails, and I have to shut down. Those fears can creep in for sure.

I feel like that’s relatable to a lot of people who may want to work with you. You are a coach, and you know, you try your best to be the best version of you every day, but you're not perfect either. And I remember that from working with you…it didn't feel like this unattainable process.

I appreciate you saying that. I also struggle with these things, and I'm also working through them. So anxiety, for example, that's something that I've dealt with and still deal with from time to time. And a lot of girls who see me also struggle with anxiety. I wouldn't be able to relate if I didn't go through it myself, so I try to have that perspective.

Breathwork is a big part of your business. How did you get into that?

I was recommended to try breathwork by a therapist because I was having really intense flying anxiety. And so she taught me box breathing, 4-7-8, and other breathing practices to do on the plane. I was like, Oh, this works, this actually helps calm my nervous system in real time. And then I started doing Wim Hof breathwork and more active styles. I did a somatic breathwork journey, which was incredible. I've never felt that connected to my body before. I just fell in love with it. You can feel the shift right away, and it only takes a couple minutes. It’s a free resource that anyone can do anywhere.

When I started coaching, I knew breathwork could be a way to help my clients go even deeper. So I did a certification and learned how to guide somatic breathwork and simple breathing techniques. I introduce it to my clients — they can always book a one-on-one breathwork session. But I also like guiding group breathwork journeys because it's really accessible for people. So I've been doing them once a month at In Flow Studio in Fishtown, and I'm starting to do it at Whole Health Studio, which just opened on Pine Street. Ashley, the owner, is incredible.

I like that you mentioned it's free, it's accessible. You can do it anywhere. Have you always been into wellness and nutrition?

I've been into it for a long time. It started with a very unhealthy relationship with food and body image. My first introduction to actual nourishment and nutrition was about 12 years ago through Kimberly Snyder, who wrote The Beauty Detox Solution. She talked about how food can be really nourishing, which was my first step in healing my relationship with food. This turned into obsessiveness with health for a while, which is why I'm so about balance now.

It’s evolved over the last 12 years to look a lot more holistic. I believe nutrition is just a piece of it, and it's not as important as I used to think it was. If I go out and get pizza, it's not going to ruin everything. But caring about our internal world: Are we actually happy? Are we actually fulfilled? And how's our nervous system feeling?

I love the 80/20 lifestyle that you preach. That was a core tenet of our sessions last year. It's so easy to get fixated on the 80% and then it can quickly turn into 100%, but it's so unattainable. Have an ice cream cone. It’s summer.

And actually, it's nourishing your soul. When you you enjoy what you're eating, whether it's the pizza or the ice cream or whatever — that's not what we know as a “health food” — but research shows that it actually does digest differently. We're in rest and digest, versus fight or flight. And so I believe it's not just what you eat, but also how you eat, and letting yourself enjoy life.

What advice do you have for those who are just starting to prioritize their health, especially from a more holistic point of view?

Number one, give yourself permission to experiment, even when it comes to a holistic approach. Breathwork really works for me, but maybe you're more of a journaling person or a meditation person, and so allow yourself to not just do something because you think you should, but rather, does this actually impact me? Is this something that I can sustain?

I would also say small steps. You don’t have to change your nutrition and mindset and sleep and workout routine and start regulating your nervous system. Start with one thing and get consistent with that first. When we keep the promises we make to ourselves, we build confidence over time. Maybe it's five minutes of meditation in the morning and just keeping that promise to yourself. You can continue to add from there.

It’s always a good reminder to not wake up and be like: I'm changing my entire life today.

Yes, it can be tempting! But then we stop and we lose that trust with ourselves.

What does mind/body alignment look or feel like to you?

It feels like ease and nervous system regulation. I've worked with a somatic coach, and I really like Internal Family Systems as well.1

I always see these things online of like, “this is a regulated nervous system”, but it's not realistic to always have a regulated nervous system. We're all going to get triggered, but it's how quickly you come back to yourself. It’s building out your own toolkit that works for you and building that internal trust and safety, instead of looking for it elsewhere. Knowing that you can rely on yourself. I also love, from IFS, inner-child work. I think it's really impactful.

I remember the bounce back rate from our sessions. Because it’s like, If I fall off, as long as I just have these systems in place to get back to myself and what makes me feel good, that’s OK.

It's so important.

OK, getting more into fun questions. What do you love most about living in Philly?

I’m from Pittsburgh, which feels like the middle of nowhere. I love that Philly's very East Coast and very close to other cities. I also love that there's a major airport here. That's important to me because I love to travel. The food scene here is really amazing, I think it's one of the best in the country.

What’s a recent standout meal you’ve had?

Vernick on Walnut Street. I never had an interest in going there, but my fiancé booked the reservation, and it was one of the best dining experiences I've ever had. Their kitchen is incredible. And I also love Suraya and Kalaya.

People don't really think “wellness” when they think about Philly. Do you think there's a solid wellness presence here?

I definitely think there is a solid wellness presence here. There are places that are opening that are more that LA style; there's this place opening this week or next in Ardmore, and it's LA-style reformer Pilates.

I go to the Sporting Club at the Bellevue, so that's where I’ve been spending most of my time since I've been a member. Before I started my business, I wanted to attend more workshops, so I found things like soundbaths and pop up Pilates here and there. I think the best thing is going to one thing, and then it snowballs. Once you get integrated, you start to find out about more things.

You have to search a little harder to find what's going on.

Yes, exactly.

Getting into some rapid fire questions. What's your go-to coffee or tea order?

If I'm going coffee, I love a cortado or a quad shot half caf, or a nice latte with a little house-made syrup. And if I'm getting a matcha, I like it with almond milk or coconut milk and some honey. The Orange Bergamot Matcha at Rival Brothers right now…

Best pizza in the city?

Pizzata. They do it with sourdough and it raises for 72 hours. It's a really good quality one. I do love Angelo's, and I also love Beddia.

SAME.

The Angry Pizza?

Yes! And the vibes and the salads…

The bean salad!

Best thing ever. Something you’re looking forward to?

My wedding! Which is in less than three months. Being with my closest friends and family, and just getting to spend those days together.

Biggest social media tip?

I would say consistency, but find your consistency. I heard a lot of things when I started, like you have to post six days a week, and I was like, that sounds like my worst nightmare. My consistency is three times a week, maybe four, and that works for me.

Something I'm working on is being less rigid and more spontaneous with it.

Biggest takeaways from your 20s?

You can have and achieve all the things that you think will make you happy and still not be happy. Happiness is really that inside job first. You also can't hate yourself into who you want to be. You can't hate yourself into the body that you want, or the person that you want to be, or the business that you want. Self-compassion first, always. And take risks!

Top 3 pantry must-haves?

Good quality olive oil, salt—

Sea salt?

Yeah, Redmond or Celtic. And apple cider vinegar.

A wellness ritual you can’t live without?

Just recently, I've been loving my journaling practice again. It’s one of my absolute favorite things.

A huge thank you to Sam for being my first “Copy Me” interviewee!!! I had so much fun reuniting and picking her brain. Learn more about Sam’s 360, attainable approach to wellness coaching on her website — a mindset shift is on the other side, I can attest to that <3 Follow her on IG for recipe and wellness inspo, and deepen your breathwork practice with her guided YouTube videos.

Tell me who I should interview next in the comments or send me a message, all ideas welcome but local to Philly would be ideal.