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My Story

It all started when a wise person once told me food can by my medicine.  I thought that person was crazy, as I shoveled 3 or 4 prescriptions in my mouth.  Then I proceeded to eat a chocolate bar, a basket of bread, and a diet Coke. 

Ahh, how ignorance is bliss.  But now that I’m ‘in the know’, here’s my story…

I was one of those people who started dieting at age 15 (though I clearly didn’t need to) and bounced from one fad diet to another for the next decade.  I was always searching for that ‘one magic thing’ to help me reach my ideal weight, feel good, look even better, and never to have to worry about my weight or body image again.  I went to great lengths—purchasing gimmicky supplements, body blaster contraptions, about 100 diet books and more—but never did find what I was looking for.  In trying to reach my ‘perfect body’ I actually did much more harm than good.

Case and point: In 2005 a doctor told me I had a chronic, incurable (and PAINFUL) condition.  I was on multiple medications and still felt awful almost all the time.   He told me the causes of this disease were unknown, but intuitively I felt differently.  I began working with a holistic health coach and Chinese medicine practitioner, who identified systemic yeast throughout my body.  I started changing the food I consumed, and I also changed my psychological relationship with food. 

Incredibly, by eliminating toxic and inflammatory foods from my diet I transformed my illness, allowing me to completely regain my health. 

What I realized through my own healing journey is the profound truth in YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT.  We are a nation of obese, sick, disease-ridden individuals because we eat like crap.  Our food is a crappy quality.  And in turn we feel like crap.  So let’s cut the crap and start eating REAL FOOD!

When I realized how vitally important it was to fuel my body with high-nutrient foods, I ditched the crazy diets and started my quest for understanding how to truly eat healthy without restriction, deprivation, starvation, or spending hours and hours in the kitchen.

My passion and newfound wisdom about foods’ healing powers brought me to the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City. It's the largest nutrition school in the world. We studied every dietary theory, both eastern and western culture. As healthy as my body was becoming, it became even more so as I learned about my body and its individual needs.  I was finally able to kick my sugar cravings, restore my energy, relieve my anxiety, learn to love my body and my life, gain confidence, began to take time to care and love for myself, and now I teach others how to do the same. 

A big part of my nutrition and health philosophy was shaped by my work with a company called Eat Right America, and specifically, from the guidance of the former Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Joel Fuhrman.  If you aren’t familiar with him yet, look him up.  He was the person who made me see first-hand that a person with chronic, life-long conditions, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, allergies, migranes, and obesity can completely heal with food.

I could go on for another ten pages, but the bottom line is this.  If you’ve actually read this far, please call me.  We need to talk about how you are going to take control of your health and your weight for now and forever.

What’s your health and nutrition philosophy?

Fox Health Coaching is all about teaching busy, but determined nutrition-minded people figure out once and for all how to choose, prepare, and eat healthy foods that will heal, not hurt them.  It’s about embracing nutrient-dense foods as the norm, and foregoing the drive-through syndrome. It’s a wake up call, a revolution of sorts…and it starts with the TRUTH.

So, how’s this for a WAKE UP CALL?

 Much of our food is doused with disease-promoting chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and/or administered genetically modified growth hormones and antibiotics.  Ninety-plus percent of the ‘food’ we eat is really processed, packaged, fatty, fried, excuses-for-food, and it has more ingredients we can’t pronounce than ever before. We eat sugar in excessive amounts—which creates toxic addictions and breeding grounds for yeast and other conditions. 

We are not separate from what we eat. Our food is absorbed into our bodies at a cellular level, creating our blood, bones, organs and tissues. If our food supply is carcinogenic and unhealthy, then SO ARE WE. Yikes!

The Standard American Diet is one of disease and destruction, and we have to do something about it, pronto!

I do believe that we have made great strides with our food, but we are still eating too much -refined and processed foods and factory farmed animal products.  We haven’t learned how to make better foods a part of our daily lives. One thing I know for sure is that to reach our ideal weight or vibrant health, we need to change our current eating habits and make wise choices.  They can taste good.  You can do this!

My programs help busy, determined men and women first prioritize themselves as numero UNO, no more taking the backseat when you work with me (as in, kids, family, work, friends, baseball, take precedence over making change).  And next, we work on integrating pure, natural, healthy foods into your diet.  

I am going to help unleash the REAL you.  The real you is a body without major amounts of toxicity and inflammation.  It’s a body that thrives on fresh vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, seeds, and more.  The REAL you will eat REAL food, not packaged, processed, fast, fatty, fried, crappy food.    

So are you a licensed dietician? Nutritionist?

I’m neither/nor.  A licensed Nutritionist or dietitian will assess the nutritional needs of individuals, establish goals and objectives that meet nutritional needs, and provide nutritional counseling in health and disease. They create a specific plan based on their findings.

The programs that I offer will teach you what certain foods do in your body, and how to prepare them.  We won’t dwell on fat and calories.  Instead, we will assess the quality of the food you are eating, and learn how to purchase, cook, and eat the best food for your body and your kiddos growing bodies as well.   

But there’s more. Because we are actually more than just what we eat.  We are a product of our life—our family, friends, career, passion, finances, spirituality, all of it.  So I help you nourish every aspect of your life, so you can find true health and happiness.

Who are your clients exactly?

My clients are mostly busy active men and women who are tired of continuously searching the internet and bookstores to learn how to feed herself and her family for a lifetime of health and wellness.  These clients usually come to me feeling bad about their health or the direction their family is taking in terms of nutrition.  They are addicted to something: McDonalds, sugar, lattes, cigarettes, etc, etc. They are often overwhelmed and have tried LOTS of things that have not worked. They have trouble implementing changes that they really want because they are so busy. Most of them struggle with sugar cravings, energy loss, weight gain, and are worried about having poor health in the future. They want to fit into the jeans that slipped on effortlessly two months ago, to have control over their cravings, to learn to cook quick healthy meals, to have better skin, hair and nails, less anxiety, rid themselves of depression, have more peace, better digestion, lower cholesterol, less gas and bloating. Basically, they just want their body to really work for them, without deprivation or hunger.

What types of personality do you work with best and what is expected of me?

I work best with clients who know what they want and are willing to work for the results—vibrant health, ideal weight, and a family who is eating nourishing, healthy, healing foods.  My clients are busy—but they are determined to figure out how to finally take care of themselves and their families so they can get on with life already!

This isn’t Jenny Craig or Slimfast.  I won’t ask you to subscribe to eating boxed foods and crazy gimmicks.  What I help you with is making life shifts—so it’s important to be willing to be a little patient and trust me and the process. My approach is not about a quick fix. In my experience some changes are quick, but others may take time.  And so, if you are looking for the diet of the day, you might want to close your website browser right now.

For what type of person is this program NOT going to work?

If you’re looking for a subscribed diet, this isn’t for you.  I will give you specific suggestions, ideals, and ideas, but I will never tell you what you can and cannot eat.  That is deprivation and restriction, and it has been proven to not work in the long term.  If you require specific nutritional planning for a serious medical condition, this is not for you.

What exactly is your Program and what does it include?

A holistic approach
I practice a holistic approach to nutrition, which means that I look at how all areas of your life are connected. Does stress at your job or in your relationship cause you to overeat? Does lack of sleep or low energy prevent you from exercising? As we work together, we look at how all parts of your life affect the whole.

No one diet works for everyone
The concept of bio-individuality is that each person has their own nutritional needs. So, when the experts say, “dairy is good for you” or “fat is unhealthy,” it’s too much of a generalization. One person’s food is another person’s poison, and that’s why fad diets don’t work in the long run. I look at your age, health, activity level, blood type, metabolic rate and personal preferences to determine your dietary needs.

Everything is food
Healthy relationships, a fulfilling career, regular physical activity and a spiritual practice are essential forms of nourishment. When these “primary foods” are balanced, what you eat becomes secondary.

Integrative Nutrition Pyramid
The Integrative Nutrition pyramid depicts a balanced approach to nutrition: more high-quality, organic vegetables, fruits, complex carbohydrates, protein and water; less meat, milk, sugar and artificial food. The pyramid is surrounded with the primary food circle, the parts of life that satisfy our hunger for living and create a balanced life.

So, your program is a step by step way of looking at everything we just talked about above.  I teach you about food—how to recognize real food, how and where to buy, prepare, cook, and create foods your entire family will love.

But we also work on the psychology of food…and believe me, there is a HUGE psychological dynamic to eating.

What results can I expect?

You can expect to:

• Take the guesswork out of what is healthy, what’s not, and how to find the right foods for you and your family.
• Learn the best food choices that will help you find a future of health and wellness.
• Become excited and eager to implement food and lifestyle recommendations, and you will feel good about doing something positive for yourself.
• Actually make changes that have been difficult for you in the past.
• Develop healthier habits that become lasting lifestyle changes
• Learn that eating healthfully doesn't mean sacrificing taste.
• Become more in tune with the foods your body needs.
• Get peace and freedom around food and learn not to beat yourself up.
• Achieve your specific health and wellness goals that have eluded you in the past.
• Be happier with your body.
• Enjoy life more.

How quickly can I expect results?

Every body is unique, and each person moves at a different pace.  It also depends on what your goals are! The effort you put in is equal to the results you get back. Most clients report an increase in energy by the second session. The most significant results for the majority of clients come by the third month.

How will we work together and what do the programs entail?

Well, it depends!  We might ‘work’ together when you purchase one of my results-based ebooks.  Or you might take a group teleclass.  And if you’re really itching for one-on-one help, you will enroll in my ultimate Makeover Program.  There are lots and lots of options, so you’ll never feel left out.

More information please! How long are the programs?

I have a few different programs, ranging in length from 6 weeks to 4 months. 

My signature program is four months long. I have tested various lengths and have found that it takes at least this amount of time to make lasting lifestyle changes. I don't want my clients investing their time and money in a program that won't yield a lifetime of results. My clients are usually amazed by the amount of incredible changes they have achieved with ease by the end of the four months. Having a program of these lengths allows us to ensure that changes you make in month 1 or 2 are still being implemented in month 3, 6 and beyond.

I also offer an 8 week fast track to fat loss—which is a super consolidated version of my 4 month program. 

What are your coaching programs like?

As a new client, you have different options to choose from, depending on how quickly you want to see results, how much time you want to speak to me directly, or based on your budget level.  See the tab on this website labeled ‘services’ for program and pricing information.

Where are you located? Do you only work with local clients?

My office is located in Shrewsbury, Missouri, but I work with over half of my clients by phone. I have found that coaching by phone is extremely effective.

Do you accept credit cards?

I do, and generally speaking, I prefer to only take credit cards or checks.  You can either pay on a monthly basis or pay for the whole program at once. It's totally up to you. Clients who choose to pay in full enjoy a 5% bookkeeping discount, and are the only exception in which I will accept a check.

OK, I know which program I want. How do we get started?

Great! The first step towards reaching your goals is making YOU a priority. If this feels like the right time to focus on YOU and your needs, then go for it.

Here's what you do: Contact me at melissa@foxhealthcoaching.com to set up a consultation.  During this session we will get to the heart of your goals.  We’ll figure out what needs to change for your to be happy, and how we can get there.  I’ll tell you about my programs in as much detail as you would like so we both know you are ready for this life changing experience.  Once we’ve chosen a program that will work for you,  we'll set up a day and time to start our coaching.  I’ll send a welcome packet to you in the mail, and we will get the ball rolling to reaching your goals asap.  It’s as simple as that!