Education & Certifications
National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC)
Emotional Eating Psychology Certification, Institute for Integrative Nutrition
Integrative Health & Wellness Coaching Certification, Georgetown University
Nutrition & Healthy Living Certification, Cornell University
Master’s of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Santa Clara Leavey School of Business
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)., The George Washington University
ABOUT LAUREN
I believe a foundation of trust, openness, and honesty is crucial in establishing a successful coaching relationship. Each body has its own story, and, with every story, there is a different path to health and wellness.
Here is mine…
In 2008, after a trauma in college, I gained 50lbs within a 6-month time period. My history of disordered eating swung from one end of the spectrum to the other — from restricting to bingeing. The physicality of wearing my disordered eating for everyone to see was uncomfortable, shameful, and embarrassing. To friends and family, I had gained weight and just needed to eat less and workout more. They didn’t know or understand what was happening beneath the surface (not that they should have! I would have been mortified back then if they knew the truth). My disordered eating had always been there, the difference was that now it was physically visible.
I wanted the weight off but I didn’t know how to get out of the cycle that I had gotten myself stuck in. And, to be honest, I can’t say that I cared at the time if it came off in a healthy manner. You know the story, because so many have lived it. You decide to go on a diet. You restrict, you’re “good” (what does that even mean, btw!?) and you lose weight - quickly. I lost and gained back 30-35 lbs AT LEAST 5 times during my twenties. But the restrictive diet was never sustainable. I would always “fail,” feel awful about myself, and then binge - because what was the point, right? Then, you guessed it, I gained all the weight back and felt like a complete failure.
It wasn’t until I got pregnant with my first daughter that I was forced to confront my relationship with food in a way I had never done before. I slowly learned that there aren’t “good” and “bad” foods, and how to listen to my body and what it needs. It was a lot of work, but it was the most rewarding experience of my life. With time, patience, and forgiveness, I slowly lost the weight and kept it off (in a healthy, sustainable way)— but it wasn’t about the weight loss. It was about finally listening to my body and wanting to take care of it. For me, it was learning to give UP that control around food that actually allowed me to discover wellness and a comfortable relationship with food. Listening to your body is easier said than done, but it’s possible.
In 2020, I decided to take the leap, changing careers away from corporate America and finally pursuing something that has always been near and dear to my heart — Health & Wellness. I completed Georgetown’s Health & Wellness Certification program in March and sat for the NBHWC exam in October, becoming a nationally board certified coach! Helping clients overcome their health and wellness challenges and struggles, and reach goals they never believed possible, has been the most rewarding experience of my life so far.
This is MY story. Yours will be different and true to you. My role as your coach is to be your partner in assisting you to uncover your unique path to health and wellness, helping you discover what works for you and implement it successfully into your life.