I wasn't always in shape. Nor did I know what healthy eating was.
I filled my belly when I was hungry with the foods I liked.
That's it. Simple.
But what I didn't realize was that the food I was eating (or not eating) directly related to how I was feeling, and after I ate my kraft dinner or burnt grilled cheese sandwiches I always felt tired (man, I've sure come a long way!).
I was bullied growing up and in my teen's I took to the gym- insecure and not knowing what to do, I watched the big muscle guys working out and copied them.
I was beginning to gain confidence and I started volunteering to help others with their workouts while I was also getting in shape.
But my eating never changed then. Not until I turned 20.
At the time, I was kickboxing quite competitively. I was really good, and wanted to find a way to improve my performance.
So instead of buying supplements, I applied to work at one of the largest supplement retail chains around at that time, GNC.
Once hired, I was hooked on learning! I was looking at every supplement and asking myself "how this would improve my performance."
You see, I did it for selfish reasons at first.
It was all for me and although I was retaining so much value, I was retaining it for me.
It wasn't until I had a husband/father come into the store with joint pain. I knew all about joint pain prevention since Kickboxing is hard on the bones, so I was able to help him out with his supplement needs.
1 month later, he came back with an unbelievable review! The stuff I recommended worked!
Do you know how much joy and happiness one will receive when they help to serve others?
I didn't know at the time, but now I do.
It is addictive!
After that, I was on fire!
I wanted to help more and more people while continuing to excel in nutrition, fitness, and supplementation.
A year later, I was managing that supplement store and making a difference in hundreds of customers' lives.
In 2008, I graduated as a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and I became hyperaware of how food affects our health. This was the golden ticket I needed!
This was before nutrition was 'sexy' so I took advantage of it and began working with clients on their health and physical performance while I was in college getting a Diploma to be an Assistant to Physical and Occupational Therapists.
I achieved what I call my Holy Trinity- I became an Internationally Certified Personal Trainer, Registered Holistic Nutritionist, and I became integrated within the hospitals as a "Rehabilitation Assistant".
I worked in the hospital and was able to understand, collaborate and integrate with other professions.
What I didn't know then was that by understanding western medicine, while focusing on healing with food and supplementation, I gained a profound respect for those practicing Western Medicine, and although I may not agree with some of the approaches, it became integral to have them on my side for the sake of my clients.
There are very few Nutritionists who will call the family doctor of a client and collaborate with them and their prescriptions and how they interact with food and supplements.
I became a Hybrid. I am one of the few.
And then, disaster hit. My life turned upside down when I received a phone call telling me that my best friend of 23 years had suddenly passed away from a heart attack- he was only 35 years old.
It was hard to take. It still is. But now the death of my best friend has given me a new outlook on health.
Have you ever heard the saying, "You Are What you Eat?"
It's not true.
"You Are What You Digest" is more accurate, and furthermore, what you digest has a direct effect on certain organs and systems of your body.
For example, if you don't exercise, your lymph nodes can fill with toxins and your B.O. can become horrible! (That's just an example, but true).
So I created a health assessment.
It determines what systems in your body are out of balance and not functioning at their best.
And the best part: Anyone who has it can re-use it anytime they like!
It's a way to help you identify the level of health your body is experiencing, and even if someone doesn't have noticeable symptoms, they could be just on the surface, ready to erupt!
This assessment has changed the way I can help my clients. Having a network of doctors, physical therapists, Occupational therapists, Dieticians, and other professionals makes my approach a 'Western Holistic Nutrition' approach- one that proves to be very successful with my clients.
I also created the 'Nutrition Vault' so that anyone can who wants to start making healthy choices can do so by going here without having to spend hundreds of dollars on a 1:1 coaching program.
It has all of my secrets and tips to maintaining ultimate health.
Losing my best friend was the worst thing that happened to me, but it has opened my eyes to the different systems we have in our body that need to be in tip top condition to perform.
If they arn't in good form, disease and symptoms pop their ugly little heads out.
And what's the best part about healing your internal systems?
