Welcome to my Journey!

A new fire was lit inside me about a month ago when I was given the opportunity to expand my duties at work and take over the salad bar. After some thought I decided it was time to learn more about nutrition and health. That decision led me to the Institute for Integrative Nutrition’s Health Coach Training Program.

For a little background, I was born and raised in the greater Seattle area. I grew up with the privilege of eating three balanced meals a day. And more often than not it was a freshly cooked dinner every night. I don’t remember having fast food until I was in high school. Racing between school soccer practice and club practice. I think that was the beginning of my roller coaster of emotions with food, nutrition, and my weight.

I played two years of soccer while in college, playing six days a week, in the best shape of my life. After another two years I graduated and continued down the expected path of finding a job in an office. I worked nearly 15 years in various office rolls. Trying to find something that would inspire me. Inspiration never came and I found myself eating my feelings.

I’ve tried numerous fads, “diets”, and exercise programs. Some worked, for a little while, but I always rebounded to my starting weight. Or worse, I gained even more. In January 2020 I got back to the best shape of my life, completing 5-6 HIIT routines a week at a local small gym. A few short months later the world shut down due to a global pandemic.

I found myself working from home for 18 months. Incredibly unhappy at a desk, eating my way through the pandemic. Eventually, with millions around the world dying, I decided my mediocrity was not something I wanted to continue. So I decided to pursue a dream I’ve had for years, baking professionally.

So in September 2021 I took a shot and applied at a job I probably wasn’t qualified for. Turned out the culinary world was pretty desperate for anyone who was willing to show up. Off I went on my new adventure. I fell in love with baking professionally. I was making new pastries, things I had never dreamed of making, and excelling.

I worked my way through a few bakeries, trying to find the right blend of personalities to match mine. Turns out it was actually on a business campus catering team. I started learning how to display food to look inviting and appetizing.

It’s been a month since taking over the salad bar and I am truly in love. For the most part I work with what is available to me, making the most of any vegetable that comes my way. Learning different ways to dice vegetables. Finding dressings that might work well with a multitude of ingredients.

I will be on a year long journey to educate myself on health. From physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual avenues. I can’t wait to share what I’m learning and start coaching people who are on their own health journey.

Stay tuned.