Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions 〰️
What are your qualifications?
I am a certified personal trainer through NASM and a national board-certified health and wellness coach. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Education with an emphasis in Health Promotion from the University of Texas at Austin. I later earned a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Texas Woman’s University in Houston and worked in outpatient rehab helping patients restore functional use of their upper extremities.
After becoming a mom to three daughters, my passion shifted toward helping women, especially moms, balance caring for their families with caring for themselves. I became a certified ADAPT functional medicine health coach through the Kresser Institute and passed the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching exam in 2020. I also completed a 200 hour yoga teacher certification, and most recently became a certified personal trainer through NASM.
My motto is simple: never stop learning and never stop growing.
What can’t a health coach/personal trainer do?
Health coaches and personal trainers are not doctors. I cannot diagnose, treat, cure, prevent, or heal any medical condition. My role is to provide guidance, support, and strategies to help you build healthy habits, improve strength, and reach wellness goals safely and effectively, but medical care must always come from a licensed healthcare professional.
Are services covered by insurance?
Unfortunately not.
Is a referral needed?
No, but I am happy to work with your physician to implement the healthy lifestyle changes he/she recommends. For example, if your doctor suggests you try an elimination diet to explore food sensitivities, I can help you with that process. Another example would be if your doctor says to improve sleep due to an inadequate cortisol awakening response, I can help support you with needed behavioral changes.
Why do I need a trainer or a health coach?
Behavior change is hard. Only 6 percent of Americans engage in the top five health promoting behaviors: not smoking, getting regular exercise, consuming less or no alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, and getting enough sleep. This is not usually a knowledge issue. It is a life is complicated and busy issue. That is where a health coach can come in. YOU are the expert on YOUR life, but in order to implement lasting changes, sometimes you need support, encouragement, and accountability. Maybe you need someone to brainstorm realistic ways to make new habits fit your specific situation. Maybe your doctor has given you a “to do” list, but you are already feeling maxed out with your regular “to do” list.
As a certified personal trainer, I can also provide the tools, structure, and guidance to help you build strength and confidence through movement. Whether your goal is more energy, better health, or simply feeling strong in your own body, I would love the opportunity to come alongside you. Regular life can be hard, and changing it can be even harder, let’s do it together!
What does a health coaching session look like?
Do I have to eat a paleo diet?
No. My training focuses on a nutrient dense diet that uses a flexible Paleo template. Listening to your body’s feedback will help guide you towards the template on which you thrive. You are in charge of your diet. Your dietary template may include keto, intermittent fasting, autoimmune protocol, or limitations due to food allergies. No one dietary template fits all! While I don’t prescribe diets, I can support your desired changes based on what your doctor recommends or what you feel best suits your needs.