Congratulations to our Leadership in Health Coaching Award recipients for the HCTP September 2018 Spanish-supported 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!

Josefina Mendez

Buenos Aires, Argentina

What were you doing prior to enrolling at Integrative Nutrition?

Before enrolling at IIN, besides working as a television producer, I would share recipes through my Instagram account and take courses and workshops on healthy eating. But I felt that I lacked something else – to be able to integrate everything, have more knowledge about holistic nutrition, and above all be able to apply it to myself and my family.

How did your life change after enrolling?

Receiving this certificate transformed me from the deepest of my being. I learned to find myself and to respect myself, to accept myself and look for my best version. I learned to listen to myself, connect with my being and body, and outline what is best for me, my family, and those around me.

It helped me relate to more people who are on this same path. It opened doors for me, new possibilities of work. It calmed my mind and, at the same time, energized it. I understood who I am.

Alina Ileana Miró Quesada Stark

Lima, Peru

What were you doing prior to enrolling at Integrative Nutrition?

Prior to enrolling, I was working in a typical job from 8 to 6, totally stressed and lost. I just sat at my desk, watching people, all stressed, screaming, problems, the only thing that I wanted was to finish the day so I could go home. Sundays and Mondays were terrible, Thursdays and Fridays a little bit better, Saturday was my only “happy day.” The only thing that I thought was, there’s got to be another way.

How did your life change after enrolling?

After enrolling, everything started to change. I started training with two friends, got a part-time job that let me read and study, and believed that before enrolling I didn’t have any of both. I began to see that something more was out there, and for the first time I knew that to be able to keep on going I had to be in perfect relation with myself. I started training and eating, not to lose weight, like I always did. I started to train and eat to feel better. I just wanted to feel good with myself.

Maribel Rodríguez Arbonés

Zaragoza, Spain

What were you doing prior to enrolling at Integrative Nutrition?

I was looking for a program like Integrative Nutrition to sign up for. Previously, I had managed to reduce stress I was suffering and which was already affecting my health by taking new decisions and actions such as quitting a job I didn’t like, establishing time for myself, starting to frequent nature more, reading many books to learn on my own, and practicing mindfulness meditation along with Tai Chi and Chi Kung. That's how I realized the importance of taking care of our health and well-being. Later, I created a website dedicated to the healthy lifestyle, and at the same time, I started to sell some aromatherapy and organic cosmetics products online. But I was alone with all that, and it didn't work out well for me.

How did your life change after enrolling?

My life has completely transformed. I have been able to prioritize myself, love myself, and know myself better. I cook a lot more at home, and we eat real, quality, nutrient-dense foods. I have more energy and vitality. I have been able to achieve my personal and professional goals. And I am very happy to be part of this wonderful community of people who have inspired me and with whom I have learned so much and continue to learn.

Maria Paulina Chica Ortega

Medellin, Colombia

What were you doing prior to enrolling at Integrative Nutrition?

I have worked for an industrial company for 12 years. I have been in different positions related to my professional career: production planning, operations planning, and my current position: logistics and warehousing.

How did your life change after enrolling?

My life has done a 180°. I started and since the first day I knew this will change my life. I am grateful of all that I have lived as an engineer and in my profession, but Health Coach was my life purpose, my passion. I knew that I needed to make a life decision because I did not feel great in my current position. And life has given me the signals, and the company where I work after a production center closure offered me last June to leave the company in December 2019, so that’s my time to be a Health Coach 100 percent. To focus and create my business as a Health Coach, to be an entrepreneur and help other people in many aspects of their life.

Jacqueline Esquivel Torres

Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

What were you doing prior to enrolling at Integrative Nutrition?

Coming out of the symptoms of pneumonia, very weak physically and emotionally, and with the responsibility of taking care of my little son of a year and a half. At the same time, going through the duel of the loss of my first child (January 24, 2016).

How did your life change after enrolling?

IIN was an important part of knowing the path I should take to rediscover my life from love and care toward me. I gained knowledge of primary and secondary food that I had never heard.

After three months of enrolling at IIN, I lost 15 kilos, my food allergies disappeared, and I managed to have an energy that I had never had before. IIN motivated me and gave me tools, which I complemented with the follow-up of a nutritionist. Currently the habits that are essential in my new lifestyle are meditation, practicing physical activity, and being aware of the foods that nourish me.

Claudia Tabche

Oshawa, Canada

What were you doing prior to enrolling at Integrative Nutrition?

Actually, my life took an important turn with the change of country. I was a housewife doing things to keep me busy and productive. During this period, my husband also started with a bout of diverticulitis. It was at this time when I listened to the doctor and told him that we could overcome the health situation with a change in diet. At this time, I asked my husband to trust me because I was going to investigate and study to find a solution.

How did your life change after enrolling?

Of course, it was a spectacular and wonderful change where I discovered so many things about myself. I have seen changes in other people, and I also felt strongly I, too, could develop knowledge and confidence in myself. I could help others better their lives and be happy through the satisfaction they felt over self-improvement. I have grown personally and am thankful for the commitment I made, and I finished with a passion to carry this out.

Silvia Solera Castillo

Heredia, Costa Rica

What were you doing prior to enrolling at Integrative Nutrition?

Before entering school, I was teaching home cooking classes mainly to women who were domestic helpers.

How did your life change after enrolling?

With the program, lectures, assignments, and Coaching Circles, I was able to understand my own motivations, challenges, and strengths. But the biggest change was to learn to listen, without judging and with full attention. Letting the answers be heard by both parties has been the most powerful gift I have ever received.