Kimberly Ashton Brings Healthy Change to Shanghai

Prior to enrolling at Integrative Nutrition, Kimberly Ashton was working in corporate events management and marketing communications.

Although a successful career allowed her to collaborate on projects ranging from the Beijing Olympics to the Shanghai World Expo, Kimberly aspired to use her communication skills to raise awareness about the importance of good health and proper nutrition. She began to research holistic health programs and realized that IIN could offer her exactly what she needed to achieve her dream career.

Learn how the Health Coach Training Program inspired Kimberly to co-found Shanghai’s first health food store and create a business that promotes the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

What led you to explore the Health Coach Training Program?

After studying some TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and food therapy and seeing the transformational effects on my health and skin, I started reading and buying books. Paul Pitchford's book “Healing with Whole Foods” inspired me to want to become an "integrative nutritional therapist" and I found IIN and enrolled.

Which topics and modules were most beneficial for you?

I loved the whole course, it was very eye opening, varied, and has led me to pursue my areas of interest as well as helping my clients in my health coaching practice. I am both a raw food and macrobiotics fan, and digestive wellness is something that I want to specialize in.  I particularly enjoyed David Wolfe, Paul Pitchford, Sally Fallon, Dr. Mark Hyman, and Deepak Chopra.

What projects are you currently working on?

I currently run and co-founded a new business in Shanghai, China called Sprout Lifestyle. We are Shanghai's first healthy food ingredients store and demo kitchen running food education workshops. We have also just opened a new takeaway cafe and are the only place that sells cooked brown rice to go! I also do health coaching with clients, corporate group clients, and wellness coaching via phone. I'm all about "growing healthy habits" through my business, speaking, media engagements, and coaching.

What makes you and your practice unique?

We are the only business in Shanghai/China doing this! We don't have anything like Whole Foods or Trader Joes or organic stores. Food education and raising awareness about nutrition is something very important and unique, as is accessibility, and we are making healthy foods (simple things like unsalted nuts, seeds, and dried fruit) available to our customers. We also provide support with our growing health community and engaging events. Many customers call us a mini "Whole Foods" in Shanghai.

What do you love about your work?

The fact that work doesn't feel like work. Every day I go to "play" and enjoy, whether it is at my retail store, my new café, or coaching with clients. I love seeing inspired clients, customers, and workshop attendees and their enthusiasm for improved health and well being. I love being around like-minded people and helping those that need support along their health journey.

Connect with Kimberly:

On her website