ABOUT
HI, I’M KIM!
I wanted to give you a little insight as to who I am and what drives my passion for nutrition. First, I want to tell you a story…
As a coach, I get a lot of people who assume I’ve been fit, healthy and mentally stable my entire life. “It comes easy for you”, “you’re genetically blessed”, “you’re naturally athletic”. I’ve heard them all.
Listen, I get it! This shit can be hard. The pressure we face to look and perform a certain way can be overwhelming. Every day we are pressured with the next fad diet or quick fix, from companies simply trying to capitalize on our vulnerabilities. Not only will this influence you to behave in ways that result in physical ailments, but it can easily alter your mental state as well. The number of us who battle mental illnesses, eating disorders, obesity, binge eating or addictions is… heartbreaking. It’s real, and I know this because I’ve fallen victim to it.
In my late teens and early 20’s, the pressure to look a certain way led me to partake in several behaviors that I would now classify as disordered. Restrictive eating, excessive exercise, binging, you name it. This then led to immense guilt and “quick fixes”. Nobody close to me knew about my actions, as there often are little to no signs. I was a bright student, strong athlete and I carried myself in a happy-go-lucky manner.
Fast forward to the year I spent in Australia. Traveling and living in a small space with your two best friends leaves little to no room for those disordered behaviors. The restrictions and binging continued however, causing me to gain 50lbs in only 10 months. To say my mental state took a hit during this time would be an understatement. I then began using food and alcohol as a coping mechanism.
Returning home, I jumped into college life. And by that I mean - I got a student loan that was spent entirely on booze and recreational drugs. On top of this, a close family member passed away which sent me into a spiral. A spiral of addiction, mental health issues and physical derailment. I was lost.
So, what came next? I’ll tell you what! A swift kick in the butt. A surprise intervention by my closest people and a forced change in my daily routines and behaviors gradually led to a very positive change in my mental and physical state. I didn’t realize it then, but this is the turning point of where my passion for helping others was ignited. Feeling so lost and out of control is scary. I never wanted another person to feel the way I did, so if I could be that helping hand or even the first step in the right direction for someone, you better believe I was going or jump at the opportunity!
And this is how I planned to do it…
MY PHILOSOPHY
Establishing a Strong Foundation
Here is what I have learned through my own experience… Your progress and success depend greatly on your surroundings and the people you choose to spend your time with. These factors not only influence your daily habits, but also your routines. These two things are the foundations that support your overall health and wellbeing. Understanding how to build and implement these foundations on a regular basis is what will ultimately result in you reaching your goals AND sustaining them!
So, where is one to start? I know it sounds hard, it sounds like a lot of work, and it sounds like it’s going to take some time. I hate to break it to you - but all of those things hold some truth. My advice? Get someone who can help guide you, teach you, educate you and hold you accountable to lay those foundations in a way that suits your individual lifestyle. Do the leg work! It will be worth it.
Yes, you can take the newest magical pill, or strain yourself in the gym for 8 weeks while cutting your calories drastically in order to reach your “goals” quicker. But, I can guarantee that unless you implement long lasting changes that are consistent and maintainable, you will 100% land right back where you started. Taking the time to educate yourself is going to diminish the influence that diet culture has over you, and increase the confidence that you have in yourself.
Gradually making small daily changes to your behaviors and environment, establishing a strong foundation, and learning how to implement the fundamentals is what’s going to keep you consistent. Once you have shown consistent adherence in these areas, you will be well on your way to obtaining, sustaining and surpassing your goals!
MY QUALIFICATIONS
I have always been a fitness lover; consistently expanding my knowledge in the sports & fitness industry. In 2013, shortly after my “intervention”, I became a crossfit level one instructor at a local box. I was later approached by the owner of the gym to help run a nutrition program. I soon realized my passion in the health & fitness industry was for nutrition itself.
In 2014, I completed my Precision Nutrition level one certification, as well as a PN certification in Exercise Nutrition. I was instantly hooked on the science and foundation of proper nutrition, which led me to obtain further education through level one, level two, and a Virtual Food Coach certificate with Balance Habits. With the knowledge I obtained, I first started by improving and developing my own nutrition habits. It didn’t take long for me to realize just how big of a role proper nutrition plays not only in performance and appearance, but also the positive effect it has on mental health and our overall well being.
From 2014-2020 I worked as an Individual (small and large) Group Nutrition Consultant under the guidance of other nutrition and fitness professionals. During this time, I accumulated a vast compilation of nutrition knowledge, tactics and coaching strategies as well as business strategies which helped me create a business model that aligned with my morals and beliefs. In March of 2021, I did one of the scariest, most exciting and fulfilling things I’ve ever done… I launched my very own company - Optimal Nutrition!
My goal is to not only teach the foundations of proper nutrition, but to assist people in creating a healthy, maintainable lifestyle. I’ve created an educational program that will gradually teach you the ins and outs of the nutrition world, all while assisting and guiding you through the mental roadblocks of establishing new habits and routines. I believe in the importance of building a trusting relationship with everyone I encounter and I hope to change the lives of many through nutritional guidance and coaching.
