MORE about me
I am a sterling silver jewelry store owner, ex-competitive Crossfitter, current recreational bodybuilder, dog and cat mom, and frequent jet-setter. I am only able to do so much day in and day out thanks to my supportive partner, Kyle, who has kept me fed and reasonable since we met at a CrossFit gym in 2015. I was born and raised in Santa Cruz, CA spent my middle school and high school years in a small town in the Sierra Nevada foothills, and have called Olympia, WA home base for the past 14 years. When I’m not at my store helping customers, on my computer or phone supporting clients or completing continuing education, traveling to buy jewelry, at the gym training, or prepping food for the following days of doing all of the aforementioned. I like to be immersed in a good book or television series with my little family next to me on the couch.
I often feel like I have lived a hundred different lives: I went to college for English and film studies with the aim of pursuing a PhD and becoming a professor…only to end up discovering a passion for nutrition and fitness after getting my undergraduate degree, while also falling into a family business that my dad happened into circumstantially in the twilight of his life. I once would have done (and pretty much did) anything to be the smallest version of myself, but now I want nothing more than to have a body and presence that takes up space.
I used to feel self-conscious about how many paths I have gone down, but as I have gotten older, I have realized the gifts these dichotomic narratives have given me: the ability to relate to and empathize with more people than I might have otherwise and the ability to pivot as new paths present themselves. I am nothing if not the poster child for change. It can feel like an insurmountable challenge to pursue a new way of thinking or being, but my personal experiences and education within the nutritional space have made me a coach who is known for helping my clients bridge the gap between recognizing their potential and embodying it.
certifications + experience
Precision Nutrition Level 1
Health Mindset Coaching Certified (HMCC)
Former CrossFit Level 1 with 3 years coaching experience
Former USAW Level 1 with 3 years coaching experience
Completed Chrissy King’s Anti-Racism for Wellness Professionals Course
Bachelor of Arts, The Evergreen State College
MY NUTRITION JOURNEY
Like all girls raised in the 90s, I was bombarded with the media’s message that all women should have flat stomachs and thighs that didn’t touch, which certainly wasn’t criteria that my body fit. In elementary school I was teased regularly for being bigger than all of my peers, but I used my size to my advantage as a multi-sport athlete and my parents did their best to help me fit in with my friends as much as possible when it came to the clothes I wore (which wasn’t easy since I couldn’t shop any of the same stores). It wasn’t until I reached high school and decided to move away from athletics in favor of academia and other electives that I became overly preoccupied with my appearance. This -- no doubt stemming from the perfectionist personality I had had my whole life -- ultimately culminated in me being diagnosed with anorexia my junior year and, soon after, bulimia and binge eating disorder.
Having gone from 108 lbs at my lowest to 200+lbs at my highest all in the span of 2 years, I recognized that I didn’t feel good in my body at either of those extremes. I spent an unplanned gap year between high school and college finding joy and purpose in my life again, and with that shift in my mental health came a shift in my eating habits that brought my body back to a setpoint it recognized. However, I was still finding myself wanting to keep a finger on the pulse of any and all fad diets under the guise of figuring out what was “most optimal” for my health, even (and especially) once I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2009 during my sophomore year of college. Multiple hospital stays and harsh medication side effects made me realize that my quality of life depended upon me re-envisioning my definition of health. I took up strength training at a local gym and quickly fell in love with how it made me look and feel. Then, on the recommendation of a friend in 2012, I walked into a CrossFit gym for the first time and became instantly enamored with the competitive community atmosphere.
Although a strict paleo diet helped to get and keep my Crohn's disease in remission, my progress with both training and body recomposition had long been at a standstill. In 2015, I became acquainted with flexible dieting and tracking macros and experienced a tremendous amount of success across the board by adding foods I had loved and missed back into my diet in quantities that aligned with my goals. Wanting to fine tune even further, I hired a nutrition coach in hopes of realizing my goals of becoming the best athlete I could be while still prioritizing overall health. My physical and mental transformations inspired me to become a certified nutrition coach in 2018 and begin working with clients who are eager to optimize their own lives by developing nutritional approaches that are both effective and sustainable. Even though I’ve moved away from competitive CrossFit and found a passion for training more specifically for hypertrophy and aesthetics as life has gotten busier, continuing to expand my knowledge within evidence-based nutrition for both myself and my clients remains my top priority.
WORK WITH JILDA
what my clients have to say about me
TARYN W., 33 YEARS OLD
“When Jilda began working with me, I was like every young naive woman looking to have abs in a bikini. I was new-ish to the gym and I could barely spell “macronutrients.” Once I began to take her guidance seriously, I really started to see a shift in not only my performance in the gym, but how I viewed food and its effects on my body. Jilda has walked me through long maintenance periods and coached me through a successful bulk/strengthening cycle, where she reassured me all the food intake was going to do its job. She didn’t lie: I saw over 100lbs in total of PRs! When I was ready to lean out and try a bodybuilding to give my body a break from years of CrossFit, Jilda was able to shed about 15 pounds from me. Jilda is a mad scientist when it comes to understanding nutrition and how my body responds to not only food, but lifestyle stressors as well. The best part about working with Jilda is she’s more than just a coach. She’s also been a great teacher in all things nutrition and health”
“Right from the beginning, Jilda was relatable, helpful, and understanding, and made changes to my approach based on my preferences. I loved having her as a coach because she taught me that I didn’t have to be perfect with food in order to meet my goals. She was also very supportive during a stressful time of my life and gave me a lot of things to think about outside of nutrition, and I believe this holistic approach has helped me a lot and I’ve come a long way in my journey towards wellness. If you want to join and work with a nutrition coach, I highly recommend Jilda and KLN for your goals - the coaches are so knowledgeable, compassionate, empathetic, and WILL work with you no matter your goals or concerns.”
“I’ve always struggled with my relationship with food and the thought that food is the enemy. I struggled with my self image and was not happy with the way I was treating my body. After much thought, I decided the only way I would be able to fully understand my relationship with food and be held accountable was to get professional help.
After working with Jilda, I quickly came to the realization that food is my friend, and my macros are there to help me feel the best I can. Having Jilda by my side has made this lifestyle change enjoyable and obtainable. I not only feel better physically, but my relationship with food has gotten to a much better place. I don’t think of food as “good” or “bad” anymore, but as a way to fuel my body in ways it needs while still being able to enjoy my favorite foods.”
“I can’t express how much I enjoyed working with Jilda. She guided me through my first cut and helped keep me committed to my goals. Not only have I gotten leaner and improved my performance in the gym, but I’ve also gained so much knowledge and self-awareness about myself and how to listen to my body.”
SARAH, 27 YEARS OLD
“Jilda was my coach for almost two years and in that time always provided me with helpful feedback, advice, and positive nudges. Her coaching was critical in nursing me back to a more healthy and sustainable diet, and helping me get into the best shape of my life!”
“Jilda helped me get comfortable with tracking macros when I initially had reservations about it by helping me understand that it is a tool to help build awareness rather than one to use to pass judgements. She also helped me with my mindset around working out. Jilda is a compassionate coach and if I ever shared why I may not have gotten close to my goals on a given week, she validated my feelings and helped me work through those obstacles. I feel confident in my ability to manage my nutrition and exercise habits to reach my goals because of the knowledge Jilda provided me”
FEMALE, 33 YEARS OLD
“Jilda’s personalized approach made all the difference. She took the time to understand my unique habits, needs, preferences, and challenges. I loved being able to discuss what I had coming up (trips, events, meals out, etc.) and create a game plan to both enjoy (not overly restrict) and still stay on track with my macros. These lifestyle changes were not always easy for me, but being able to reflect together with a very patient and understanding nutrition coach made all the difference. It allowed me to make small changes each week that felt manageable and sustainable! Jilda always helped me keep my goals in mind which is exactly what I needed.
I seriously wish I had hired a coach sooner. I gained so much confidence from working with Jilda. I can physically see and feel a difference in my body, and I also have the tools and knowledge to maintain it. The best part is that the door is always open, so when life changes and I would like some help again, Jilda will be my first call!”
JILDA’S QUICK FACTS
ROLE
Nutrition coach, business owner and manager, designated scout for the best restaurants in every new city visited
BORING CREDENTIALS
Precision Nutrition Level 1; Health Mindset Coaching Certified; Bachelor of Arts
GO-TO DRINK
Topo Chico with lime
NON-GUILTY PLEASURE
Peanut butter straight from the jar with a spoon
WALK OUT SONG
“Sabotage” by Beastie Boys
FUN FACT
I was a BIG kid: I was 5’10” and had a size 11 shoe by the time I was 10 years old (and haven’t grown a centimeter vertical since!)
COACHING SUPERPOWER
I was once described by a client as a “mindset ninja”: I know how to ask the right questions that get my clients uncovering their own solutions to overcoming their biggest hurdles. My role as a coach is to give clients a safe space to step into their agency and make decisions that work for where they are currently at, but also challenge their beliefs of what they are capable of.
on instagram: @jildalamb
