Superstar Graduates

IIN definitely changed the course of my life. Before attending the program, I worked for a handbag company in NYC and probably would have stayed the course in that industry. IIN gave me the confidence and belief that I was in control of my life and could go after my dreams. There is no doubt that I would not have started Purely Elizabeth, had I not had my experience at IIN.

I am now the founder and CEO of Purely Elizabeth, an all-natural and organic food company. I started the company in October 2009. We focus on using the most innovative, nutrient-dense ingredients on the market like chia, quinoa, amaranth, kaniwa, coconut sugar and coconut oil, while making the products taste absolutely delicious. We recently released the first Probiotic Granola on the market and a Grain-Free Granola! The past seven years since starting Purely Elizabeth has truly been life changing on so many levels.

I love that the industry we are in truly has an effect on people’s lives. It’s pretty rewarding to hear feedback that our products have helped customers live a healthier lifestyle. It’s also amazing to be surrounded by such like-minded individuals. The industry is filled with passionate people who are happy in what they are doing.

Unlike a lot of people who sign up for IIN, I had never heard of the school before I joined, but I was hungry to try new things and I had always had an interest in health. At the time I was working for a global software company and my financial success outweighed my personal fulfillment. I became aware that success couldn't be created in the soul by money alone. 

As soon as I began the IIN course everything started 'clicking' into place for me. The supportive and multi-dimensional overview of what we were learning, such as multiple dietary theories and the holistic nature of health was leading me back to what I had been raised to know was the truth. 

I began blogging at The Whole Daily about my journey while still studying at IIN. I completed my study with IIN while on maternity leave and by the time that ended I had created a profitable online health business that allowed me the freedom to choose to stay home and work on what I had found I was most passionate about, supporting people to health.

IIN was the beginning of it all really. I know life is sliding doors, but without IIN I would probably be desk bound in a city high-rise doing work that I wasn't passionate about and ferrying my kids to and from daycare right now. IIN was the pivot point to my whole life changing for the better.

I learned at a young age that the happiest, most successful people I encountered, were also the healthiest and most open to improving themselves.  This naturally led me to explore personal and professional development books, tapes and programs. I then became extremely passionate about health and wellness. So I set out to learn as much as possible about how to experience extraordinary health. I received my Bachelor of Science degree with a Major in Exercise Science and Health Promotion from Florida Atlantic University and continued my education at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition along with intensive self-study. I’ve read literally hundreds of books covering health, wellness, mindfulness, exercise and nutrition and feel blessed to be able to share my knowledge with the world.  I get to inspire and instruct others on how to improve their lives through making healthier choices. I’m living my passion while making the world a healthier, better place.

Prior to enrolling at Integrative Nutrition, I worked on the Wall Street trading floor at Morgan Stanley. As a serious athlete, I always scoffed at yoga’s hippie ineffectiveness, but initially tried it as a way to diversify my 60 miles of running a week. I quickly got addicted, and after few years of daily practice and study, I began teaching friends yoga and meditation for free.

Soon, colleagues and friends began asking for nutritional help. Then it hit me - there was not a lens for wellness that was effective and realistic, one that understood working hard and playing hard, as well as the extreme stress of office life and modern living. I decided to quit my job to start I.AM.YOU., the first ever 360 degree lens for wellness based on yoga, nourishment, mindset, and music and wrote a Best Selling book with Penguin Randomhouse, RETOX. I have since exited the business, and I am now consulting wellness businesses and entrepreneurs full time.

We all have different bodies that change throughout the phases of life. Integrative Nutrition allowed me the freedom to learn about various nutritional theories and apply them as I saw fit for my clients and myself. Integrative Nutrition gave me the confidence to stand by the decision my body was telling me to make. IIN is about the freedom of doing what works for you.

After I joined IIN at 16 years old (the youngest person to join at the time!), I started my first yoga Facebook page called SkinnybyTara. After a while I took what I learned at IIN and from my education with a BS in Food and Nutrition to start a practice as the recipe developer, yoga instructor, and lifestyle blogger that I am now! My story is still being written and every day I feel blessed to wake up and live this life.