HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING WHAT YOU DO AND HOW DID YOU GET TO BE A HOLISTIC HEALTH COUNSELOR?

To answer this question, it is probably best for me to share with you my journey to wellness.

I grew up studying dance so I was always at the studio with other tall, lean girls. I also went to a lot of performances watching beautiful dancers with “perfect” bodies on stage. I knew I didn’t have the “best” body in relation to my dancing peers, but I was considered thin most of my life.

After college, when I decided to work “behind the scenes” in marketing and public relations, I found myself always comparing my body to the dancers I worked with…they were skinnier, their thighs were smaller, their legs were longer, their abs were tighter, their arms were more sculpted, etc., etc. For a while I laughed at my comparisons, telling myself, “Of course the dancers have better bodies, they are paid to take care of their bodies.” At the same time, I buried myself in my work, because I thought, “that’s what I’m paid to do.”

I felt blessed. I had a dream job with a world-renowned dance company and had opportunities to travel around the world with dancers whom many believed were the best in the world. People always told me how lucky I was, and I felt lucky. But, I paid a steep price for my “luck.” Essentially, I was married to my job. I worked around the clock – early morning into late night, brought work home with me and went to the office on weekends. Vacation and sick days were really just work days but not in the office.  I felt like I was on a merry-go-round at the fair…going ‘round and ‘round with no end in sight.

There were so many days when I was so tired, but I “put myself together” to be a great representative for the company. A new skirt, a bright sweater, a pair of high heels and some make-up and I looked like the executive I was paid to be. On the outside, it all looked good; on the inside, I was a wreck.

After a few years like this, the stress and pressure began to take their toll. I convinced myself I was eating healthily because I didn’t eat red meat or fried food; I drank tea instead of coffee and ate oatmeal for breakfast instead of sugar-y cold cereals. But, it was the “little” snacks I was eating for bursts of energy that were destroying me inside—a chocolate chip cookie on my way to a performance because I was too overwhelmed to give myself enough time to eat dinner, some candy on the way home from a performance so I had energy to get more work done late at night. Thus, my addiction to sugar began.

Literally, the sugar “high” kept me going during the day when I was so tired from only five hours of sleep. Soon, the constant highs and sugar crashes brought on fatigue; then, I had no energy to get to the gym. But, I was still carrying on my workload, reaching goals and achieving success, so I kept up the crazy pace.

One day in mid-2003 I was getting dressed for work and realized my clothes were getting tight. The judgment and comparisons began again…did I look “okay” in these pants? Was I too fat for this dress? Did people think my “butt” looked big as I walked out of the room? I realized I needed help to stop this vicious cycle, but I didn’t know where to turn. I wasn’t looking for a “traditional” diet plan; it wasn’t necessarily that I was overweight (though I was desperate to lose ten pounds). What I needed was a guide to help me re-structure my life. I was searching for the elusive work-life balance so I could relax more, exercise, practice yoga and make time for healthy meals, and I wanted to be happy and healthy in my own body—while maintaining my status as an accomplished executive.

A friend referred me to an amazing woman – a spiritual guide and nutrition expert – who changed my life. When we first spoke, she asked me about my eating habits and then asked about my lifestyle: career, relationship (I was married for a little over two years at this time to a wonderful man), exercise and spirituality. She asked me how I envisioned my future, what I wanted in my life, how I wanted to feel, what I believed in and whether or not I thought I could have everything I wanted. Suddenly I realized, with her guidance, anything was possible. I knew I had found the path to my own wellness through her holistic approach to life.

She wasn’t just going to tell me what to eat to lose weight; she was going to hold my hand as I embarked on a journey to discover myself. My life was no longer going to be about what other people expected of me or what I should do, it was going to be about what I needed to be happy. I began reading books on spirituality, then about nutrition; I made a commitment to practice yoga and go to the gym. My husband helped me prepare nutritious, healthy meals and simple snacks to carry around with me so I wouldn’t “need” sugar for energy.

Soon I began to notice changes – I was less anxious and able to manage stress, I was waking up earlier in the morning so I had time for the gym, I lost 15 pounds and was happier at work—and felt peaceful and calm.  My relationship with my husband was better than ever and I worked hard at the office, but implemented appropriate boundaries so that work didn’t take over my life. Best of all, I discovered I didn’t need sugar for energy or to feel good – healthy meals and satisfying snacks, a solid relationship, sleep, a rewarding career and a spiritual practice all kept me grounded and fulfilled.

WHAT IS A HOLISTIC HEALTH COUNSELOR?

I am a nutrition expert, wellness authority and supportive coach. I will review all aspects of your life with you, not just the foods you eat. A holistic approach to health and well-being incorporates nutrition, physical activity, relationships, career and spirituality to determine the best healthy habits for an individual.

WHO ARE YOUR CLIENTS EXACTLY?

The majority of my clients are dynamic, busy professionals who want to make lasting lifestyle changes to achieve optimal health and wellness. Though they are successful, they’ve realized that something is missing in their lives—they are not happy about their weight and/or unhealthy eating habits, they don’t get enough sleep and suffer from low energy and fatigue, they know they want to exercise but can’t find the time.

HOW ARE YOU DIFFERENT FROM OTHER NUTRITIONISTS?

A nutritionist or dietitian is trained to assess the medically accepted and understood nutritional needs of individuals and establish subsequent priorities and goals for healthy eating.

I have been trained by world-renowned leaders in all dietary theories. I am committed to finding the best food options for your optimal living. I don’t tell you what you “should” eat; together we will determine which foods nourish your body and keep your mind clear and focused. I will help you to understand your personal relationship to food and help you shift from self-sabotaging behaviors to choices that will nurture your mind, body and spirit.

WHAT TYPE OF PERSONALITY DO YOU WORK BEST WITH AND WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME?

I work best with clients who are ready and willing to make changes for their health and well-being.  Often my clients don’t have a lot of time to devote to self-care, so they come to me to learn simple, manageable steps they can take to feel their best at all times. As long as my clients are committed to themselves, they will achieve their desired results.

FOR WHAT TYPE OF PERSON IS THIS PROGRAM NOT GOING TO WORK?

This program is not going to work for individuals who are not serious about making changes in their eating and lifestyle habits. It isn’t appropriate for someone who is only interested in counting calories and grams of fat, carbohydrates and protein.

WHAT EXACTLY IS THE BRAVO! WELLNESS SYSTEM AND WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE?

Achieving optimum wellness for yourself begins with making your health and well-being your number one priority; understanding what foods nourish your body and what lifestyle choices best suit you.  Then, you have choices to make to adopt a way of life that enables you to perform at your best every day.  The System is a series of proven steps to guide you on your wellness journey:

  1. Embrace self-care
  2. Crowd out processed foods
  3. Include healthy foods in daily meals
  4. Intensify your physical activity
  5. Eliminate distraction/clutter
  6. Make sleep a priority
  7. Activate a spiritual practice
  8. Nourish relationships
  9. Create balance
  10. Express gratitude

DOES THIS REALLY WORK?

Absolutely! My clients are able to make noticeable, lasting changes because the program is adaptable to each individual’s goals.

WHAT RESULTS CAN I EXPECT?

  • Gain a clear understanding of healthy food choices and which ones are best for you
  • Your ideal weight
  • Understand and reduce cravings
  • Abundant energy
  • Mental clarity
  • Restful sleep
  • Develop an exercise/movement routine you look forward to doing every day
  • Improve self-confidence
  • Loving relationship with spouse/partner, family and friends
  • Better communication skills because you understand your needs more clearly
  • Feel comfortable in your body

CAN I CONTACT SOME OF YOUR FORMER CLIENTS TO SEE WHAT IT’S LIKE TO WORK WITH YOU?

I encourage you to do your research to make sure you believe working with me is right for you. Please review my client testimonials and, if you’d like, let me know with whom you wish to speak. I will provide you with contact information.

HOW QUICKLY CAN I EXPECT RESULTS?

This depends on several factors including your personal situation and the effort you put into following the plans and strategies we discuss together. Most often, clients see results after the first couple of sessions including reduced sugar cravings, more energy, mental clarity and weight loss.

HOW CAN I GUARANTEE MYSELF THAT I WILL REALIZE MY HEALTH AND WELLNESS GOALS?

First and foremost, make a commitment to yourself that YOU are the most important person in your life. Promise to make self-care a priority. Make sure you understand the recommendations we discuss during our time together. Be honest with me – if something is not working, let me know so we can make changes.

HOW WILL WE WORK TOGETHER AND WHAT DOES THE PROGRAM ENTAIL?

Bravo! Wellness, LLC will provide you with unprecedented support as I am 100% committed to your success. During our one-on-one coaching sessions, we will discuss your needs and I will provide support and guidance so you can make appropriate nutrition and lifestyle changes.

During the course of your program, you will receive handouts, recipes, articles and other valuable information to support your transformation.

In between sessions, you have access to me via e-mail. Please allow 24 hours for a response, though I often respond sooner.

DO PEOPLE EVER RE-UP?

Indeed, some clients choose to continue.  I have added a special option for clients who wish to continue their wellness journey, making it comfortable and affordable for them to explore more healthy options to support their lifestyle.

WHAT ARE YOUR COACHING PROGRAMS LIKE?

Bravo! Wellness coaching packages were created for dynamic, busy professionals who are ready to take a no-excuses approach to living their lives to the fullest and being the best they can be every day. The programs cover a four-six month period so that you have time to reach your goals safely and have the support you need to maintain your new nourishing, healthy lifestyle. You decide which program is right for you, and then we design a customized plan that lets you perform at your best every day. Bravo!

Bravo! Wellness – MAVERICK PROGRAM

All the help you need, exactly when you need it.

This option is for mavericks – one of a kind, unique individuals – who work best outside of a routine or want to move extraordinarily fast. It’s also for those who prefer not to wait until a scheduled appointment to move forward and like to set their own schedule. We plan our calls when you want them, for as long as you want them, and as often as you need them, for up to two full hours per month. (Of course, we can schedule more than two hours in a given month during your program; the additional time will be billed at a preferred rate.) For consistency, we can break this up into four 30-minute, weekly calls. [Remember, this is Bravo! Wellness, not Sprint or AT &T; rollover minutes do not apply.]

The MAVERICK Program provides personal guidance and accountability so you always feel as if your hand is being held by a friend. Because of this celebrated care, MAVERICK is our most popular program.

Bravo! Wellness – ESSENTIAL PROGRAM

This program is for high achievers and self-starters who want consistent nutrition education and lifestyle support. With this option, we schedule two 30-minute calls per month, every other week, to get you moving quickly, keep you on track and eliminate any obstacles currently in your way so that you can look and feel your best every day. With the steadfast support of The ESSENTIAL Program, you will achieve results faster than you would on your own.

DO YOU ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS?

Yes. It is easy to set up recurring credit card payments so you don’t have to worry about invoices and bookkeeping.

OK, I KNOW WHICH PROGRAM I WANT. HOW DO WE GET STARTED?

Great! Please complete the health history form on the site. I will review it and contact you to set up a wellness schedule for you. Bravo!

If I’m not sure I’m ready to get started, how can I sample your work at low cost to see if it’s the right solution for me?

Subscribe to my E-zine. With each issue you will receive nutrition and wellness tips and encouragement to life your best life.

Let’s get acquainted – email me at and we’ll set up a time to talk, either over the phone or in person. During this time, we can discuss your wellness goals and I can explain how Bravo! Wellness can address and support your specific needs. This opportunity to get acquainted is complimentary.

OK, I’M READY TO DO THIS FOR MYSELF, BUT I HAVE A COUPLE OF ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. MAY I CALL YOU?

I will always make myself available for individuals who are ready to make themselves a priority. Email and we’ll arrange a time to talk.