FROM A NUTRITION COACH: KENNY
As nutrition coaches, we have the privilege of building close relationships with our clients as we help guide them towards their goals - be those related to aesthetics or fat loss goals, performance goals, or goals of optimal health. Along the way, as we work on building a better relationship with food and our habits, we get to share parts of our stories that are relevant to our coaching styles. We’re taking time this year to share more about us, our nutrition journeys and transformations, our road to becoming nutrition coaches and educators, and the amazing clients we have the privilege of working with.
HOW I BECAME A NUTRITION COACH
As a teenager, I discovered that eating well and lifting weights improved my sports performance, which led to a desire to learn more about fitness and nutrition. I graduated with a degree in Exercise Science from Utah Valley University, completed internships in strength and conditioning, and obtained my Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification. I briefly considered a career in collegiate strength and conditioning until I realized I didn't want to be exploited for free labor. Instead, I continued coaching at a CrossFit gym, which not only paid me but allowed me to do what I loved.
While coaching there, I met and married my wife Kate. We moved to Memphis, TN, where Kate grew her business, and I continued coaching CrossFit full-time. As her business grew and grew, I stopped working for others and started working for her, and then we moved to Oaxaca, Mexico, where I transitioned from in-person coaching to online coaching.
MY FAVORITE PART OF BEING A NUTRITION COACH
I love being a nutrition coach because 1) it allows me to follow a passion that I have had since being a teenager and 2) because everybody eats and nutrition has such a huge impact on the quality of people’s lives.
By helping clients gain knowledge about nutrition, they become empowered to overcome their anxiety around food, enjoy indulgences without guilt or shame, and increase their chances to live longer healthier lives. With a better understanding of how to take care of their bodies, they can also maximize their enjoyment of life's experiences and maximize those extra years.
MY OWN PERSONAL NUTRITION JOURNEY
Thankfully I’ve never had a bad relationship with food, just a misinformed one. For example, I read a Muscle and Fitness magazine in high school and learned that I needed to eat 100x more protein than I was already eating (not literally 100 times more, but it felt like a significant increase). This info actually helped; increasing my protein intake helped me build more muscle and lean out, and I even remember my football coaches saying that I “looked good”.
Another example: I distinctly remember starting CrossFit and thinking that I needed to cut out carbs and eat paleo so I could lean out. I remember eating dinners of steak, nuts, and cheese. This strategy was obviously awful for high-intensity exercise like CrossFit, and my training suffered so I quickly introduced carbs back into the mix.
I have more examples, but I’ll stop there. Over the years these learning opportunities have increased my knowledge of nutrition and taught me what works in real life, what is a fad, and what is sustainable.
MEET MY CLIENT: Marti
Marti was already well-versed in fad fitness and nutrition when she began working with me, but lacked a deep understanding of nutrition basics. Her specific goal from working with me was to learn about tracking macros and gain a greater understanding of the food she was eating.
Despite facing many challenges such as frequent traveling, demanding work, and attending multiple parties and events during the holiday season, Marti was able to make progress toward her health and fitness goals. This was due to the knowledge and guidance she received, which helped her navigate these situations with ease. As a result, she was able to enjoy her travels and events while improving her sleep quality through the implementation of evidence-based strategies.
Working with Marti was incredibly fulfilling for me as a nutrition coach. Witnessing her overcome her food anxiety and live life to the fullest was a testament to the power of education and self-empowerment.
In conclusion, becoming a nutrition coach was a natural progression for me, stemming from my teenage passion for fitness and nutrition. It's a career that has allowed me to help others and make a positive impact on their lives. Through coaching clients like Marti, I've seen firsthand how education and self-empowerment can lead to significant improvements in health and well-being. It's a privilege to be able to guide people toward a better understanding of nutrition and help them enjoy a healthier, happier life.
We are committed coaches who work with committed clients and love nothing more than helping our clients find a sustainable approach to nutrition that allows them to work towards their goals without white-knuckling their way through yo-yo diets. Learn more about our KLN team here!