Today we’d like to introduce you to Cody Cooper.
Hi Cody, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hello! My name is Cody Cooper and I grew up in Richfield, Minnesota. I am the youngest of 4 kids and have an amazing and supportive family. Here is a little bit about me and my journey.
Well–I graduated in 2008 from Richfield High School and then began my journey at Winona State University. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise and Rehabilitative Sciences and minor in Business Administration and graduated in 2012. To complete my 600 hour internship for my Bachelor’s, I moved up to Rochester, MN and started working at the Rochester Athletic Club as a strength and conditioning coach, personal trainer, and group fitness instructor. I also started working at ActivePT (a physical therapy clinic located inside of the athletic club) and served as the account manager. I had always been interested in the health and wellness industry, and had a passion for helping others live healthier and happier lives. I just had to find the “right” way to anchor it in, and start making a true and positive difference in this world.
I am part of the LGBTQ community. I came out my senior year of college after a friend of mine came out to me. For me, this was a HUGE step in my journey. To face my demons and stop running away from who I truly was, provided the necessary relief to begin a very deep and long healing process. It was as if every time I came out to someone close to me, a gigantic weight was lifted off of my chest, and it led me closer to loving myself and honoring who I am. This healing process, upon many other things, allowed me to move towards greater self-love, self-acceptance, and a deeper sense of trust in who I am. It revealed a new sense of strength that I didn’t know was inside of me. It showed me that in order to live an authentic life, you have to not only accept yourself for all that you are, but embrace yourself for all that you are. This is one of the foundations that I have built my career around, and a powerful aspect of life that I enjoy sharing with others.
About three years into my time in Rochester, my journey drastically changed. I went through many different health issues. I saw doctor after doctor and no one could tell me what was “wrong” with me. Sooner or later, synchronistically, Reiki came into my life. My partner at the time brought home a Reiki book and I immediately knew that this IS what I had been looking for. I ran upstairs and started reading the book. I was instantly fascinated and had an inner sense of knowing that this was going to be a pivotal part of my journey. Turns out, Reiki and spirituality were the two key components I needed to “heal myself” and move into greater love and acceptance for who I am. Within about a year of finding Reiki, I was just about “healed” of all physical ailments and had a miraculous turnaround. So let’s tie my reiki and health journey together.
I became certified in Reiki in 2014 which led to a profound spiritual awakening experience in 2015 with my mentor Barbara Cannon, at her shop in Sauk Centre, Minnesota– Heaven and Earth Essentials. That is a fun story, that I would be happy to share with you in more detail at a later date– but to sum it up, I had such a profound experience, that there was truly “no going back” to an ordinary reality. I had experienced something so spiritual and magnificent, that it would change my entire life and career path in a new and positive way.
I became certified in Reiki Level 1, 2, and Master Level by 2015 thanks to Teri Anderson, Lisa Thelen, and Steve Murray. My ailments started to go away and I started to experience greater health and wellness on multiple different levels.
Within 4 months of my spiritual awakening, my partner and I started A New Beginning– which is kind of funny, because prior to this awakening experience, we had no intention of doing so. It was as if I was catapulted into my soul’s purpose overnight.
Another side note and background information: the month that we started our new business, I also became sober–another pivotal part of my journey. I believe this was another essential step in embracing my true authentic self and building a stronger connection with my spiritual nature. I noticed that after I came out of the closet, I didn’t need alcohol as a coping mechanism anymore. I realized that alcohol was just a strategy I employed to cope with an aspect of myself that just needed a little extra love and attention. Once I made this realization, I was able to begin healing. I believe that when we are ready to transform and truly take ownership for our lives and our actions, providence goes to work on our behalf to help us get there. I have now been sober exactly 6 years. which is just one of the many blessings of this practice and career path. Reiki, meditation, and prayer continue to be a huge part of my sobriety and recovery process, and thank God that these tools were given to me when they were!
A New Beginning started with the vision to positively inspire and help others on their path through spiritual based practices that fuel the body, mind, and spirit. We wanted to provide a safe and sacred place for others to “heal themselves” while guiding and supporting them along their paths. We knew the power of energy medicine, intention, and a positive mindset– and the healing that could occur as a result. Our goal was to share this light with as many people as possible.
It was amazing to be a part of the transformational processes of our clients while building community in the Rochester area. We started offering Reiki, spiritual coaching, massage therapy, and other alternative and holistic healing modalities.
In 2017, I was introduced to the Akashic Records and completed my Akashic Record Training in Sedona, AZ with an amazing mentor, Amanda Romania. This training opened me up to one of the most powerful healing modalities that I have ever encountered and I have been utilizing the Akashic approach to life each and everyday since.
The Akashic Records truly work on “soul-level healing”–providing profound shifts in awareness. Just by working with this field of consciousness, one is able to transcend limiting thoughts, beliefs, and patterns, finding a greater sense of wholeness within.
Through this training, I was able to weave together a new service– helping others tap into their own Akashic Records to embrace spiritual growth and soul-level liberation.
The Akashic Record Sessions are one of my favorite services I provide, because within even one session, I have seen time and time again, people having complete breakthroughs that help them connect the dots and move forward on their healing journey.
These sessions help heal the SOUL, and go beyond the physical which I believe is the key to success. For anyone interested in learning more about the Akashic Records– you may enjoy my newest book– The Akashic Field: Finding Vibrational Resonance with your Soul. This is a great place to start to learn more about the Akashic Records and start working towards aligning more fully with your soul purpose and achieving greater levels of love, acceptance, and spiritual awareness.
The Akashic Records helped me begin my journey as a self-published author of 6 spiritual based books, specializing in introducing others to the spiritual realms, guided meditation, Angels, ascension, greater levels of consciousness, and all things spiritual! The Akashic Records taught me to tap into the spiritual realms to bring through and “channel” the information from the spiritual into the physical. My books have served as a positive outlet to bring through information and filter thoughts in a constructive way that I believe has supported my own healing process and the healing process of others.
One thing that is unique about my books is I didn’t spend hours upon hours critiquing my books. I surrendered my inner perfectionist and just allowed the information to come through. I made minor tweaks here and there, but trusted that the right information was coming through to support a purpose greater than myself. If I would have spent hours upon hours analyzing these books, it would have taken 10 years and it probably never would have felt complete. To keep it as authentic as possible– I just wrote freely. All I would do is set time aside to write, open my Akashic Records, and allow the information to flow through. It was a deeply liberating process of letting go and trusting–another thing I enjoy sharing with others.
So, back to Rochester. Rochester was a great stepping stone on my journey. There were good times and bad times, but ultimately great teaching moments that I will forever cherish for I learned so much. After our three year lease ended in Rochester, my partner and I made the difficult decision to both split in our romantic and professional lives. I believe the stress of owning a business, trying to pay rent for both a home and an office space took its toll on us. Thankfully, we handled this with maturity and made some changes through mutual love and respect. I decided to take over the business and move back up to the twin cities where I had family, and greater support. I ended up turning the business completely online and started meeting with clients virtually for spiritual coaching/akashic record sessions, guided meditation, and long distant reiki sessions, which began A New Beginning’s, “new beginning.”
Slowly but surely I began to find a following in the cities and my friends and family helped lift me back up and pushed me to continue to follow my goals and dreams. I had so many moments of wanting to give up, so many times I wanted to throw in the towel, but something inside me, a power greater than myself, said “keep going”. The love and support of community started to come into my life on a level I have never known before. My family and friends and new communities started to show me an unconditional love and support that will amaze me for the rest of my life.
My path began to shift slightly, and I was guided to start embracing the yogic path. In 2019 I started my 230 hour yoga teacher training at The Yoga Center Retreat in Saint Louis Park, Minnesota which led me to another one of my mentors, Jennifer Gray.
I took a leap of faith, followed my inner guidance, and began to land with a community of support that has become more like my “second family”. I finished my 9 month 230 hour training in June of 2020, and then immediately jumped into a 14 month 300 hour program at the YCR a couple months later. I had a deep realization through this personal growth journey that community was the big part of my journey that I was missing— having people that truly cared about me and wanted to see me succeed. It was a Godsend— a true miracle.
A New Beginning and I got hired at The Yoga Center Retreat in 2019 where I became an independent contractor— offering Reiki, meditation, yoga, and spiritual based classes. Some of the classes that I facilitate at the YCR are Reiki Training (Levels I, II, & III), Akashic Record Classes, and workshops focusing upon self-love, self-acceptance, soul purpose, and self-transformation. I also LOVE helping others begin to tap into the spiritual dimensions of consciousness, with a specialty and emphasis on Angels and helping others connect with their Angels and the Angelic Realms.
In 2019, I began receiving offers to lead and facilitate spiritual retreats guiding people through energy medicine, Angels, yoga, the akashic records, meditation, and various mindfulness techniques. I had an amazing opportunity to travel to Sedona, AZ with Erica Buck and her wonderful business EmergeSpa to lead retreats and even had the opportunity to fly out to East Hampton, New York to lead a mind, body, spirit retreat for Rejuvenation Dentistry and Dr. Gerry Curatola’s team of Doctors.
Plans are in the works for future retreats both locally and around the US— with the intention to help others embrace their health and wellness journey through spiritual based practices that I hold near and dear to my heart. Leading retreats is one of my favorite things to do, because we get to build community, hear other people’s stories, and find greater love and compassion for the soul’s unique journey.
Fast forward to the here and now.
I have spent the majority of my time teaching online and meeting with clients virtually since October of 2018- which has been a saving grace for my business. I was able to get a head start on creating a fully virtual business before COVID hit (which was one of the many silver linings of the transition from Rochester to the cities). With that said, I still plan to have a majority of my business done virtually now and long into the future, as it provides a new sense of comfort and connection, and allows me to connect with people around the world. I have clients as far as Sweden that are reading my books and booking sessions, and without the amazing upgrades in technology, this never would have been possible! Reiki has taught me that we are so much more than physical beings and I truly believe that we have the ability to connect with others, beyond space and time. Clients are able to feel the energy, regardless of if we are in-person or not. What a blessing!
I also am excited to announce that after three years of being without a “true home” for A New Beginning— A New Beginning is getting its physical “new beginning”. I have recently been offered a brand new healing sanctuary from a generous friend to begin in-person sessions again. The stars have aligned for me to be able to come back in-person with others, with a renewed sense of purpose. It has been a long time coming, and I am so incredibly grateful for all the support that has helped me keep going during this difficult time. Having an in-person option for those that are able to make the trip, will create a win-win for everyone involved! The new space is located in Richfield, MN and will be open on an appointment basis in the near future! My goal is to provide a healing sanctuary for others to come and experience a true sense of peace and belonging. I understand that these times have been tough on everyone, and I believe that sometimes all we need is a helping hand. COVID protocols will be enforced for now and I plan to do my best to create safety and comfort for all those able to make in-person sessions a reality.
My entrepreneurial spirit is alive and kicking and I am grateful to get back out there on a deeper level, positively changing lives, and joyfully serving a purpose greater than myself. I trust I will be guided and led exactly where I need to be and will reach the right people in Divine timing. Instead of visualizing my small business as my “main career”, I now intend for it to be exactly what it is, in each and every moment. The goal is heart-centered living and doing business with integrity. This is my philosophy and how I look at my career path. I believe that it doesn’t matter “what you do” for a living– it is about “how” you do it. I believe everyone has something unique to contribute, and as long as you are showing up as your authentic self, the right opportunities will arise. We are so much more than physical beings– and any chance I get to talk “spiritual” with others and share in healthy community, sign me up!
10 years in the health and wellness field has taught me so much, but I have a feeling I have just brushed the tip of the iceberg. I believe we are always learning, growing, and evolving in a way that is perfect for us in any given moment— and I am continuously humbled as I walk this path. I look forward to seeing how this path will continue to take shape over the years, and constantly practicing gratitude for all that I have and for all that is to come.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
To sum it up, I would say that the road since moving back to the cities has been particularly smooth, but my early days in Rochester were “quite bumpy”.
Starting out, like I mentioned, we had no intention of creating this business and 4 months later, we started our business, with the mentality that we will “learn as we go”. And, that is exactly what we did… we definitely learned. I am sure you can imagine the trials and tribulations of new business owners, starting a business after only 4 months, with hardly any planning going into it. But some of the more direct challenges that I went through are listed below. One side note– I view challenges as opportunities for growth. I try to find the silver lining in even the most challenging of circumstances– as you will see below.
Challenge #1: In 2017, only about 1.5 years of starting our business, we lost my father tragically to suicide. This was by far the biggest challenge that I have ever faced in my entire life. My world was turned upside down and I felt paralyzed. For those of you who have ever gone through loss, grief, trauma, etc., I am sure you can relate that when you lose someone you care about, you are changed forever. There is an inevitable part of you that is crippled with pain and discomfort and you can’t even imagine facing the world.
The day we lost my father to suicide, I was up at my parents’ home and heard the words, “you need to turn this into a positive”, clear as day. “That is the only way you are going to get through this.” Truly, those were the only words I could think about as I stood in shock, as my life crumbled before me. Shortly later, I had an epiphany– I realized that nothing in the world really matters besides the connections we make and the people we love. The world seemed so small and everything seemed so trivial.
Within a week, we had the funeral. I was asked to speak at my Dad’s funeral and I totally surrendered. I somehow gathered strength from the community and from something greater than myself to get up in front of all my loved ones and pay tribute to my father. I led everyone through meditation and we sent my father off to Heaven with hundred of balls of pure white light.
This turned into one of the strongest moments of my life.
Now, every time I am fearful or nervous to get on stage or speak in front of others, I remind myself, If I was able to get up at my father’s funeral and speak, I surely can speak in front of these people. The most challenging moment in my life has turned into my greatest source of strength– that provides me the courage to continue to show up and be seen in this world– while positively impacting as many people as possible.
Without this experience, I wouldn’t have learned so much about providing a safe and sacred space for others. It showed me how people can seem fine, and inside they may be burdened with more than they can handle. It reminded me of the power of kindness, providing a listening ear, and showing up for those that you love and care about. This has transferred over into my career and my business and are some of the founding principles that A New Beginning is built upon. It is my duty to provide a safe space for others where they can feel safe, secure, nurtured, and supported. In my eyes, that is one of the greatest gifts we can give someone.
I am still recovering from that loss, and still rebuilding my life and career since all of this happened. Grief and trauma are tricky things to navigate, but Reiki and meditation have given me hope that we are able to work towards peace and healing, no matter what we have gone through. This drives me to pursue this career path even more and share these healing modalities with others, reminding one another that we are always whole and complete, no matter our life experiences. We each hold the divine spark within us, and it is just waiting to be reignited, each and every moment.
Challenge #2: My partner and I split up the day we were moving out of our business space after our 3 year lease ended. I lost my business partner, romantic partner of 5 years, our space in Rochester, and my life in Rochester including our puppy and our home, etc. My life truly was turned upside down yet again, To say that I have gone to hell and back would be an understatement. It was a huge transition, but it provided me the opportunity to “make the business my own” and have a clean, fresh start. Even though I couldn’t see it at the time, this was one of the biggest blessings of my life. It allowed me to reconnect with friends and family, while fostering healthy relationships and positive support and growth opportunities. I was able to connect with more like-minded individuals and start building true and long-lasting community. Moving back to the cities was my saving grace. It was where my life and my business started to be brought back to life, and I am forever grateful for the divine intervention that brought it about.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
A New Beginning is focused on creating a sacred space for others to tap into one’s infinite wisdom and work towards healing on a soul level. We focus on all levels of health and wellness– including mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual. We focus on the body, mind and spirit as a whole, providing services that nurture one’s growth and positively support one’s healing process. At A New Beginning, we treat each person as an individual, knowing that healing is always unique to each individual.
Things you should know– I have been teaching and sharing the practice of energy medicine for over 6 years. I believe we are always learning and growing and I truly believe that energy medicine is the way of the future. I believe through energy medicine, we can reach the deepest aspects of our innermost beings, gently being guided back to our heart centers and our true authentic selves. This allows us to show up in the world more inspired and motivated to achieve all that we are here to achieve, while connecting with something greater than ourselves.
What makes our services unique are that all of our services weave in the power of energy medicine in some way, shape, or form. No one session is exactly the same either– and we employ a very intuitive approach for each session. It is always based on what the person needs that day. The key is to find balance within, to silence the mind, and come back to center. In this knowing, true and positive change can take place.
Anyone looking for peace and relaxation, personal and spiritual growth, and deep inner connection can benefit from our services. All you have to do is show up. Energy medicine transcends space and time, so we are able to connect with others regardless of the limitations of the physical world. I successfully meet with clients from all around the world with similar results, so if you are not in the area, a Zoom session is a great way to be introduced or continue your practice. I always say that you don’t find Reiki, Reiki finds you.
An important note– all of my services stem from a “spiritual” approach to healing. I believe the word spiritual means many different things to many different people. For the sake of what I share, “spiritual” to me means reconnecting to your inner truth.
It is a way of encompassing all that you are, in a heart-centered manner, that allows you to express yourself and come home to yourself on the deepest of levels.
Some of the services that we offer:
*Reiki (in-person and Zoom)
*Akashic Record Sessions (in-person and Zoom)
*Private and Group Yoga Sessions (in-person and Zoom)
*Infrared Therapy (in-person)
*Stretching and percussive therapy (in-person)
*Yoga Nidra and Guided Meditation (in-person and Zoom)
Most recently, I have been introduced to Thai Yoga Bodywork from Devanandi School of Yoga & Wellness with Peter Loeffler and have an intensive training with Tanya Boigenzahn from Devanandi in the near future. I plan to gently incorporate this into my practice in the near future as well.
If you would like me to attend and facilitate a spiritual retreat with you and your community, please reach out with inquiries. I would love to work with you to facilitate positive change!
I also am available to hold private Reiki trainings both virtually and in-person. If you have a group of 2 or more people that would like to become certified in Reiki, this is a great opportunity to dive deeper into your self-healing journey and/or begin to incorporate this healing modality into your practice.
What matters most to you?
Heart-centered connection. To me, it is all about connection and building healthy relationships that are meaningful. Learning to work with others and come together to facilitate true and long-lasting change is a passion of mine. Recognizing others as the divine spark that they are is one of the greatest blessings. To feel safe being seen and to truly see someone, that is what matters to me.
Pricing:
- Reiki- $55/30 min $66/45 min, $77/60 min
- Akashic Records Sessions/Spiritual Coaching: $40/30 min, $60/60 min
- 1:1 Yoga Sessions $60/60 min
- Yoga Nidra/Guided Meditation: $40/30 min $55/45 min
- Yoga and Reiki Combo: $70/60 min
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.anewbeginning.life
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cwcooper07/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anewbeginningllc
