Congratulations to our Leadership in Health Coaching Award recipients for the HCTP August 2018 Accelerated class! Integrative Nutrition believes in, supports, and celebrates all our incredible graduates for spreading the ripple effect of health and happiness in the world. The Leadership in Health Coaching Award was created to recognize the amazing accomplishments of our graduates, specifically those doing outstanding work that aligns with Integrative Nutrition’s core mission. Learn more about the winners below!

Hilary Hinrichs
New York, New York

What were you doing prior to enrolling at Integrative Nutrition?
Before IIN, I was working at a job in NYC that was not fulfilling me. I was a fashion designer and felt after two years that I chose something that did not align with how I want to live my life. I was always very interested in helping people but had no idea where to start. I began a blog that was full of healthy, plant-based recipes but still felt like I was missing something.

How did your life change after enrolling?
I feel so happy now as a business owner! IIN gave me the courage and knowledge to let go of my old beliefs and begin to see that what I always dreamed to do is possible! I feel much calmer since the program really is a personal journey as well!

Rachel Clum
Medina, Ohio

What were you doing prior to enrolling at Integrative Nutrition?
Prior to IIN, I had just re-entered the workforce from being a stay-at-home mom and was (and still am) working as a part-time marketing assistant for a commercial real estate group.

How did your life change after enrolling?
I've always been conscious about food and exercise, but I've found myself to be more relaxed and try to incorporate more meditation and yoga or stretching into my routine. It's good to slow things down a bit.

Natalie Almond
Adelaide, Australia

What were you doing prior to enrolling at Integrative Nutrition?
I worked full-time in a marketing and event role at my local council. My job was to promote the business center we had created for companies to have an inexpensive place to base their business (co-working). It was also a hub for trainings, workshops, and corporate events.

How did your life change after enrolling?
So much. So, so much. My whole entire life changed. What I thought I knew best for me wasn't anywhere near enough. I entered a calm world, where information was at my fingertips and I was constantly motivated to get up in the mornings and learn. Although at times it was overwhelming knowing so much information, I knew enough to feel confident to start coaching. I started providing free health consults, and it just went from there! The more people I had to talk to, the more confident I got and the more motivated I was to learn.

Winnie Chan
Kuala Belait, Brunei

What were you doing prior to enrolling at Integrative Nutrition?
I was working as a CPA for multinational companies in Australia until I moved to Brunei Darussalam in 2018 and became a homemaker.

How did your life change after enrolling?
This course has been life-changing for me. I have since been able to unlock my passion for wellness, particularly in preparing healthy meals at home, exploring spirituality, and focusing on physical activity. I am at the healthiest stage of my life and have not taken any medication since. I am grateful that my husband and I are expecting our first child this year. My new skills are going to be invaluable in our purpose of nurturing a healthy, loving, and happy family unit.

Peggy Rojas
Tampa, Florida

What were you doing prior to enrolling at Integrative Nutrition?
I was a stay-at-home mom with a part-time job as a fitness instructor and Beachbody coach.

How did your life change after enrolling?
My life changed so much after enrolling – so many aha moments. Life was making sense, and something spectacular happened! I started believing in myself, I felt an awakening of my true self, and I got the tools to help others in a deeper manner.

I'm now creating my own programs and reaching out in new avenues I've never considered before. Dreams come true.

Geraldine Lescs
Palma de Mallorca, Spain

What were you doing prior to enrolling at Integrative Nutrition?
I used to be a marketing manager in the IT & media industry for 15 years before resigning to be with my first daughter. I decided then to work on my own as a marketing and communication consultant, dealing with marketing strategy, brand design, and storytelling. I wanted to be free in my job and control my agenda. I needed a more balanced life to be present with my daughter, my family, and myself. I started to study nutrition.

I've been passionate for years about communication, innovation, events management (sport and music), and media (still dreaming to have my radio broadcast one day). I was working in the Indian Ocean, Réunion Island (French island close to Mauritius island), dealing with a very rich multicultural environment.

How did your life change after enrolling?
Huge changes. First, without following any diet, just changing my habits (and I already had a healthy way of eating), I lost 5kg more than the weight I had before my pregnancy. It was not an objective at all – it just happened!

I was a sugar addict. My cravings have deeply changed (definitely less sweets) and are more rare. I have identified very specific emotional situations when they come, and I can control them.

Another major change is my confidence. I was not confident at all, very shy, didn't mean to talk about me, despite choices in my life I can be proud of. Thanks to IIN, I feel stronger and I know what my role is. I don't tell people anymore that I used to be a marketing manager in big companies – I’m a Health Coach :-)

Megan Dennis
Canal Winchester, Ohio

What were you doing prior to enrolling at Integrative Nutrition?
Before enrolling at IIN, I was working for a small logistics company as the director of finance. (I still do while I get my full plan into action, so I can still financially support my family.)

How did your life change after enrolling?
There are so many ways that IIN changed my life already. There were so many different ideas from so many points of view that it really helped me to speak to a lot of the varying ideas people have about food and nutrition. I also have more confidence in my ability to help others and have a huge tool kit to do so! My coworkers come to me with questions for health and are trying to become healthier. My ripple starts at my current job, my friends, and family. The change reached past me and to my husband. He has taken our healthy new lifestyle and foods to work and people are asking him questions. He has changed, too. Our little family is having an impact with lots of people, and it's exciting to think about where we can be in a few years.

Avernelle Fagg
Loganville, Georgia

What were you doing prior to enrolling at Integrative Nutrition?
Banking is something that came naturally to me. Although Corporate America is not what I envisioned for my life, I worked as a banker for more than 30 years. Fraud analyst for one of the world’s largest banks was my most recent title. I enjoyed the position because it allowed me to interact with our customers who were adversely affected by a devastating crime. I was helping people who were in harm’s way and needed my assistance. My work doing outreach in the community and abroad was, perhaps, even more fulfilling. As an advocate for inner-city children and touching the lives of the less fortunate, I found my niche.

How did your life change after enrolling?
“Physician, heal thyself” seems to apply here. The modules have given me comprehensive health and wellness tools, which I must apply to my own life if I am to be successful in helping others. I began a plant-based diet the first month of the program and lost 28 pounds. The thoughts on bio-individuality have changed my way of thinking and have also improved my health. I take no prescription medicine, supplements, or sleeping pills. IIN has been a lifesaver, and I hope to maintain this lifestyle.

Sally Melor
Nottingham, United Kingdom

What were you doing prior to enrolling at Integrative Nutrition?
Prior to enrolling at IIN, I was working as a children’s dietitian in the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. I had worked there for over 22 years and gained significant experience in my understanding of diet and disease. I worked predominantly as part of a multidisciplinary team treating children with cancer. It was a privilege to work closely alongside such an amazing team and to be able to support the children and their families through such grueling treatments; though it could also be heartbreaking at times.

How did your life change after enrolling?
My life changed after enrolling in more ways than I could have imagined. My personal eating habits have changed, as have those of my family. We have moved to a predominantly plant-based diet and largely away from processed products. I have embraced the concepts of bio-individuality and primary food and have shifted my personal health focus beyond just diet and fitness to include prioritizing sleep, self-care, spirituality, and relationships.

I am now a passionate advocate of diet and lifestyle medicine and am convinced that this has the power to radically change our population’s growing health problems by shifting focus from alleviation of symptoms to tackling the root causes.

Marilyn Younessi
Tarzana, California

What were you doing prior to enrolling at Integrative Nutrition?
I was a realtor for commercial and residential properties.

How did your life change after enrolling?
IIN has brought an organic and holistic lifestyle in my path. Through my integrative health education, I have been enabled to change the path of so many in my community and hopefully internationally in the years ahead.

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