Hi! I'm Marisa...
...and I'd love to make health and wellness SIMPLE and straightforward for YOU!
My Approach and Beliefs
1.) Mindset. “We are shaped by our thoughts.” This is a mantra and saying I have in my clipboard and if you read it, and reread it, you can understand how POWERFUL your thoughts are. Many times, when it comes to living a healthy, balanced and life well lived is less about the broccoli and more about your thoughts and emotions. I work hard at managing my thoughts, not stopping them. Perhaps changing them so they in turn change my beliefs and this changes my brain to send the right, healthy signals to my body. I teach you more about mindset through meditation, breathwork, and mindfulness techniques.
2.) Flexibility. "Change is the only constant." I know that what works one day, may not the next. Or what works one year may not work the next. Our diets should not be static. The seasons remind us of this, and we have to be able to adapt what we eat, when we eat, our exercise regime, even mindset techniques, based on what else is going on with our lives. I teach you to be in tune with your body and your life, and look at what you really need, on a day to day basis, building resilience so you can be flexible during fluctuations of life.
4.) 80/20 Rule. “Everything in moderation, even moderation.” Life isn’t perfect, and we want to enjoy the not so healthy treats, or “bad habits” on occasion. That’s OK! I’m a firm believer that what you do 80% of the time is WAY more important than trying to strive for 100%! 80% is the habits, 20% will be the occasional thing, and that is moderation.
5.) Foundations.- “Get the fundamentals right and the level of everything you do will rise.” The answer is simple. Nutrition is actually NOT confusing. It is just about eating whole, nourishing foods. I can teach you what exactly are healthy foods that will work for YOU. That's it. The foundations are simple, and all the diets, gimmicks, fads, supplements, and gadgets are just extras. But first, and most important, is having a strong foundation of healthy habits that work for your own, individual body and life.
My Approach and Beliefs
1.) Mindset. “We are shaped by our thoughts.” This is a mantra and saying I have in my clipboard and if you read it, and reread it, you can understand how POWERFUL your thoughts are. Many times, when it comes to living a healthy, balanced and life well lived is less about the broccoli and more about your thoughts and emotions. I work hard at managing my thoughts, not stopping them. Perhaps changing them so they in turn change my beliefs and this changes my brain to send the right, healthy signals to my body. I teach you more about mindset through meditation, breathwork, and mindfulness techniques.
2.) Flexibility. "Change is the only constant." I know that what works one day, may not the next. Or what works one year may not work the next. Our diets should not be static. The seasons remind us of this, and we have to be able to adapt what we eat, when we eat, our exercise regime, even mindset techniques, based on what else is going on with our lives. I teach you to be in tune with your body and your life, and look at what you really need, on a day to day basis, building resilience so you can be flexible during fluctuations of life.
4.) 80/20 Rule. “Everything in moderation, even moderation.” Life isn’t perfect, and we want to enjoy the not so healthy treats, or “bad habits” on occasion. That’s OK! I’m a firm believer that what you do 80% of the time is WAY more important than trying to strive for 100%! 80% is the habits, 20% will be the occasional thing, and that is moderation.
5.) Foundations.- “Get the fundamentals right and the level of everything you do will rise.” The answer is simple. Nutrition is actually NOT confusing. It is just about eating whole, nourishing foods. I can teach you what exactly are healthy foods that will work for YOU. That's it. The foundations are simple, and all the diets, gimmicks, fads, supplements, and gadgets are just extras. But first, and most important, is having a strong foundation of healthy habits that work for your own, individual body and life.
So, how did I get here??
It's been a great journey, but a journey indeed!
Flashback to the 70’s.
I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, during the microwave and processed foods revolution, and we were embracing every bit of it. (I still remember that first microwave- Wow, what a revelation!) While I grew up on too much Fruity Pebbles, Snickers, and Hot Pockets, I was lucky to have a mom that was an incredible cook, so I did learn to appreciate food.
Fast forward to 1999.
I moved to Chicago in my 20’s and worked as a CPA in the corporate world for about 7 years. After a few years of practicing yoga and training to become an instructor, I decided to take a career change and become a full-time yoga teacher. The inherent self-discovery of yoga led me to increased awareness of my body's feelings and reactions, an improvement in my eating habits, and a keen interest in all things related to nutrition.
Then came the healing.
During those years, and despite my best efforts for (what I thought was) a clean diet, I was always feeling tired. Suggested by a friend I visited a holistic practitioner and the healing and self-discovery begun; figuring out what foods worked for me and which ones didn’t.
After getting married, we had a difficult fertility journey that resulted in a successful pregnancy through alternative methods of Chinese medicine; diet and nutrition; and other natural modalities.
And this is when I discovered my passion and intended path.
It's been a great journey, but a journey indeed!
Flashback to the 70’s.
I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, during the microwave and processed foods revolution, and we were embracing every bit of it. (I still remember that first microwave- Wow, what a revelation!) While I grew up on too much Fruity Pebbles, Snickers, and Hot Pockets, I was lucky to have a mom that was an incredible cook, so I did learn to appreciate food.
Fast forward to 1999.
I moved to Chicago in my 20’s and worked as a CPA in the corporate world for about 7 years. After a few years of practicing yoga and training to become an instructor, I decided to take a career change and become a full-time yoga teacher. The inherent self-discovery of yoga led me to increased awareness of my body's feelings and reactions, an improvement in my eating habits, and a keen interest in all things related to nutrition.
Then came the healing.
During those years, and despite my best efforts for (what I thought was) a clean diet, I was always feeling tired. Suggested by a friend I visited a holistic practitioner and the healing and self-discovery begun; figuring out what foods worked for me and which ones didn’t.
After getting married, we had a difficult fertility journey that resulted in a successful pregnancy through alternative methods of Chinese medicine; diet and nutrition; and other natural modalities.
And this is when I discovered my passion and intended path.
My Education, Training, and Experience.
I went on to study nutrition through the Nutrition Therapy Institute in Denver, CO, where I got education on anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, nutrients, digestion and detoxification, weight management, etc. I also become certified as a Holistic Health Coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, where I studied more than one hundred dietary theories and a variety of practical lifestyle coaching methods.
I have numerous yoga certifications like Hatha Yoga, Svastha Yoga, Prenatal Yoga and Fertility Yoga. In addition, I have studied (and used!) meditation and breathing techniques for stress management. I am a also certified as a Mindfulness and Mindfulness Meditation Teacher through Yoga Renew.
I started my health coaching practice in 2014 where I helped many clients of different ages and health conditions to heal. My education, counseling experience, and my own journey, especially now as a midlife woman going through my own body changes and challenges, has equipped me with extensive knowledge in holistic nutrition, health coaching, and women's health. Drawing on these skills and my knowledge of different dietary theories, I work with clients to help them make lifestyle changes that produce real and lasting results.
But why can I help? Because I’ve been there, and I've worked with them.
I know how frustrating and exhausting dealing with health issues is.
I’ve struggled not only with low-energy and fertility- but with anxiety, insomnia, digestive issues, and hyperglycemia.. It hasn’t happened all at once, and the healing process has been a journey. It's been small, but meaningful changes over a long period of time that has brought me where I am. I have also helped many clients heal and reach their health goals through the same approach of developing small, often simple, but meaningful habit changes that will help YOU heal as well. I'm here to teach you how.
I went on to study nutrition through the Nutrition Therapy Institute in Denver, CO, where I got education on anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, nutrients, digestion and detoxification, weight management, etc. I also become certified as a Holistic Health Coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, where I studied more than one hundred dietary theories and a variety of practical lifestyle coaching methods.
I have numerous yoga certifications like Hatha Yoga, Svastha Yoga, Prenatal Yoga and Fertility Yoga. In addition, I have studied (and used!) meditation and breathing techniques for stress management. I am a also certified as a Mindfulness and Mindfulness Meditation Teacher through Yoga Renew.
I started my health coaching practice in 2014 where I helped many clients of different ages and health conditions to heal. My education, counseling experience, and my own journey, especially now as a midlife woman going through my own body changes and challenges, has equipped me with extensive knowledge in holistic nutrition, health coaching, and women's health. Drawing on these skills and my knowledge of different dietary theories, I work with clients to help them make lifestyle changes that produce real and lasting results.
But why can I help? Because I’ve been there, and I've worked with them.
I know how frustrating and exhausting dealing with health issues is.
I’ve struggled not only with low-energy and fertility- but with anxiety, insomnia, digestive issues, and hyperglycemia.. It hasn’t happened all at once, and the healing process has been a journey. It's been small, but meaningful changes over a long period of time that has brought me where I am. I have also helped many clients heal and reach their health goals through the same approach of developing small, often simple, but meaningful habit changes that will help YOU heal as well. I'm here to teach you how.
Want to know more? Here are 10 "fun facts" about me.
So now that you know more about me- Check out my services, or contact me for questions.
- I live in our organic farm in southeast Wisconsin with my husband and 2 daughters.
- I've developed a love for plants and gardening in my midlife.
- I am an avid non-fiction reader. I love reading and listening to nutrition, health, or mind/spirit books and podcasts. I love learning about it so much!
- I LOVE to cook, and there is ALWAYS vegetables or a side salad in our meals.
- I couldn’t live without avocados or chocolate.
- We love to travel. To begin with, our family is spread out among 5 different states (including Puerto Rico)!
- My favorite place in the world is St. John in the US Virgin Islands. We used to go every summer for almost 30 years, and it has a special place in my heart.
- I'm a natural skeptic. I question everything. Which I believe in my field- it's a GREAT thing!
- I hated sports as a kid, and I LOVE to exercise now.
- Nature, and my daughters, are my BIGGEST teachers in life.
So now that you know more about me- Check out my services, or contact me for questions.
|
|
|