My journey to becoming a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach- 

3 years & counting....

It all started in March 2016 when I decided to do a bikini competition. Typing that now seems funny to me, because it was SO FAR from what I wanted or needed at the time but I didn't know that then. I had always admired elite athletes and the discipline and drive that it took to achieve that high level of fitness or performance. Knowing what a difficult time I have gaining muscle mass, I chose the bikini division since the other divisions would require me to pack on more muscle. When I told my family, I could hear the concern in their voices , knowing my history of an eating disorder. I assured them I was doing this "the right way" , I would be fine & I decided it was now or never since I was closing in on age 45. Fast forward 6 months, 20 pound weight gain, then 18 pound loss, many miserable nights either stuffed full(build phase) or grumbling stomach(cut phase), 7 days/week in the gym, LOTS of tears and no social life. I did the competition in September 2016 and can confidently say it was "one and done" for me. Being back stage during that competition, hearing ALL the disordered comments about food and fitness, I decided then and there I wanted to be a part of the SOLUTION going forward and no longer part of the problem.

I spent weeks researching Health Coach certification courses, speaking with reps from a few different organizations and trying to figure out the right path. There was sooo much information to consider- and I am really good at overanalyzing things. 

I started with the ACE Health Coach certification in September 2017, since that was the most credible, financially accessible certification I could manage at that time. Moving on to Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certification in March 2018, then another ACE Certification- Behavior Change Specialist.

Love of learning is my #1 character strength, go figure.

All this time, I didn't know what I didn't know. There is SO much more to coaching than just getting certifications and acquiring knowledge.  I knew I wanted to pursue Functional Medicine in some capacity so again started researching courses that included practical skills in addition to online instruction. I still had to sort through how on earth I could afford the multiple thousand dollars for the training. I told myself it wasn't meant to be and continued going to my 9-5 and trying to build a coaching business on the side.

As with the bikini competition, I finally decided it was now or never, and never wasn't an option. I applied for a personal loan so I could attend Functional Medicine Coaching Academy health coaching course. Anyone who has taken classes while raising a child and working full time knows that it isn't easy to find time, but you do it. You do it because you love it all and can't imagine giving up any of it. Now that I am 1 month away from graduation I can honestly say I have grown SO much over the last year and the ladies in my class are some of the kindest people I have ever met. 

You have one chance at life. If you are feeling pulled or called to do something, don't give up. Don't quit because it's going to take too much time or might be too inconvenient. Don't quit because you see no way you can afford it. Don't quit because of analysis paralysis.  You have no idea whose life(lives) you will change or impact because you chose to be brave enough to face all the doubts and fears and chase your dreams.