Our Health Coach Feature series shares the inspiring stories of Integrative Nutrition Health Coaches who are cultivating positive health choices and educating others to live more wholesome lifestyles. Join us twice per month on the IIN Blog to read more about what brought our grads to IIN and what they’re up to now!
Karen Dame is an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, the founder of Healing Solutions Health, LLC, and the owner of The Beet Lady. Karen struggled with health issues and chose to say no to the prescription she was handed and instead took a holistic route to finding better health. At the same time, her son became sick with Lyme disease. She began to read, study, and learn the ins and outs of what a diet can do to improve health conditions. Through this discovery and education, she is helping others make better choices in their diet and lifestyle. She then used the knowledge to develop The Beet Lady – a variety of beet superfood products to help increase health and performance while detoxing the body. You can find more from Karen at www.healingsoultionshealth.com and find her products at www.thebeetlady.com.
Q: What were you doing prior to enrolling at Integrative Nutrition?
A: I had just completed two certifications in wellness consulting and holistic nutrition when I started IIN. At that time, I was an at-home mom, raising my two children.
Q: What led you to explore the Health Coach Training Program?
A: I felt like I wanted more education and met someone who had graduated from IIN previously with a thriving health coaching business that I found intriguing.
Q: How has your life changed since becoming a Health Coach?
A: Since graduating, I have started two businesses, Healing Solutions Health, LLC, and The Beet Lady. I work one-on-one with clients, give talks, and run several Facebook groups for health, healing, and thyroid dysfunction. I also manufacture beet ketchup, beet marinara sauce, and beet superfood powders for individuals who are allergic to tomatoes, cannot have nightshades, or just love beets. My son has Lyme disease, and he developed food allergies as a result, which was the impetus for my having to create new recipes to replace foods he could no longer tolerate. Beet ketchup and beet marinara sauce were two staples in our household that later became The Beet Lady business. The Beet Lady is currently in 50 stores around the country with a large and growing direct-to-customer business through my websites.
Q: Which topics and modules were most beneficial for you?
A: It’s been a while since listening to these modules, as I graduated in 2011, but I would have to say probably those modules where we learned about how food has a direct effect on health.
Q: What does a typical day look like for you now?
A: Busy! I try to balance working with clients, contributing to my Facebook groups, and manufacturing and filling orders for both Healing Solutions Health and The Beet Lady, so my days are jam-packed, but I love every minute of it.
Q: What makes you and your practice unique?
A: Probably my holistic approach to health and healing. Teaching clients the value of quality food, how food directly affects health, how to shop, and especially how to read ingredient labels.
Q: How do you help your clients be successful? Is there a recent example that stands out for you?
A: I’d say that it would be through educating them and conveying the importance of liver and gut function as the foundation on which achieving good health must be built. I developed organic, non-GMO beet superfood powders for liver, bile, gallbladder, and kidney cleansing. All contain real fruits that offer their own health constituents. I teach my clients the importance of cleaning and detoxing the liver every single day, and there is no better way to do this than through eating beets.
Q: What do you love about your work?
A: I love that I have the skills to help people achieve better health by making healthier choices, which puts their body back in balance, which means they feel better.
Q: How have you seen the need for Health Coaches change over the years?
A: People need to be able to put their trust in someone other than their doctor to educate and guide them along their path to healing. Health Coaches do this well.
Q: What’s your tip for balancing your family, work, and personal wellness?
A: The best tip I can give is to be organized and pace yourself. I have a plan for each day. Every morning, I spend time in the Facebook groups answering questions and providing help for members. I divide the rest of my time between clients and running The Beet Lady business while caring for my son who has Lyme disease.
Q: Tell us your favorite way to wake up each day!
A: I live in the desert, so every day I look forward to sunshine and blue skies. I have my coffee, then go for a walk, all before devoting time on my business.
Are you interested in becoming an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach? Click here to learn more!
