Meet Jennifer
“What do you want me to do, to do for you to see you through?”
Robert Hunter
I am a biologist and an educator, and I have additional training in holistic health, nutrition, yoga, and meditation. I trained as a holistic health and nutrition coach at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, which is the only nutrition school integrating all dietary theories to combine the knowledge of traditional philosophies like ayurveda and macrobiotics with modern concepts like the glycemic index/load, anti-inflammatory diet, and raw foods diet.
- Certified Holistic Health Coach, AADP, Institute for Integrative Nutrition (2010)
- Certified Yoga Instructor, TRY for Life: Therapy, Reiki, Yoga (2003)
- Graduate Certificate in Postsecondary Education, University of Akron (2004)
I hold three degrees in the biological sciences:
- Ph.D., Miami University, Oxford, OH (2009)
- M.S., University of Akron, Akron, OH (2004)
- B.S., University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (1998)
My Personal Story
My personal health story begins in childhood. I don’t know exactly what I was looking for, but I recall a struggle and an awareness of my relationship with food even then. I became a vegetarian at age 10, started seeing a nutritionist during high school, and continued to experiment with various iterations of vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and omnivorous ways of eating and cooking during college and into the present.
After 7 years in graduate school, I found myself struggling with a collection of health problems – insomnia (a lifelong struggle), chronic fatigue, migraines, weight gain, and extreme difficulty focusing, to name a few. I felt overwhelmed, frustrated, and helpless. Not only did I need to get some sleep and feel better so I could get my work done, but I also knew that it was time to put myself and my health first, and for real this time.
I reached out for some support, and less than 1 week after implementing a few key changes to my diet and lifestyle (suggested by my herbalist/health coach), I felt incredible! All of a sudden I was sleeping 8 hours each night. I was productively writing my dissertation (and enjoying doing it). I felt positive and happy. I had tons of energy (like being super-caffeinated). My frequent migraines disappeared (I’ve had only 3 in the past 3 years). I started losing the weight, and had almost no food cravings. And it all happened after making a few small adjustments.
That was several years ago. I still believe that healthy food and lifestyle choices make the biggest difference in our lives. I also know that it’s a process, a lifelong process. But the first step is to begin that process, to get some support and guidance to help you figure out what works for you.
My mission as a Health Coach is to support you and to stretch you. I’ll help you set and achieve your unique health goals, and tap into your body-mind’s ability to heal itself and maintain a state of wellness. I want to help you feel great.
Contact me today to take your first step in a healthier direction by scheduling your Breakthrough Strategy Session.
