As told by founder Monica Schwingel
Our Story:
During a challenging chapter in my life, I found myself carrying more weight than ever before. Trapped in an abusive relationship while caring for a young child, I felt utterly stuck. The excess weight mirrored the heaviness in my personal life. Determined to reclaim control, I turned to dieting, opting for Weight Watchers. Although my initial attempt failed, I persevered, shedding over 50 pounds on my second try, empowering me to break free from the abusive situation and embark on a new career path.
However, the aftermath of weight loss and discontinuing Weight Watchers brought unexpected challenges. I began scrutinizing every morsel within a points framework, categorizing foods as “good” or “bad,” and imposing severe restrictions. My self-worth became entangled with clothing sizes and scale numbers. When the points system plateaued, I embraced veganism, not for ethical reasons but as a means to shed more weight and shrink further. It spiraled into an unhealthy fixation, marked by intensified restrictions and a fear of food—a descent into disordered eating.
Then came my salvation: nutritional therapy. Through it, I unearthed food sensitivities exacerbated by my vegan diet, alongside glaring nutritional deficiencies. Transitioning to a whole-food, nutrient-rich regimen resolved my gut issues and elevated my energy levels while banishing brain fog.
Years of yo-yo dieting had exacted a toll on both my physical and mental well-being, obscuring my true self. I lived tethered to calorie counts, points systems, and dietary restrictions, unable to fully inhabit the present moment. But through nutritional therapy, I gleaned a vital lesson: prioritizing holistic nourishment over arbitrary metrics like scale numbers or clothing sizes. It’s about embracing foods that nurture my body, support gut health, and uphold balanced blood sugar levels—fostering a sense of overall well-being, both mentally and physically.
While your journey might not mirror mine, if you’re grappling with a sense of disconnection from yourself, regardless of your unique background, nutritional therapy could hold the key to your well-being.
My philosophy is utilizing the power of whole, nourishing foods to facilitate healing within ourselves. My mission is to educate and empower you on the principles of sound nutrition, guiding you to fuel your body in a way that optimizes your health. By the end of our journey together, my aim is for you to experience a profound sense of balance and well-being coursing through your being. Ultimately, I strive to equip you with the knowledge and confidence to take charge of your own nutritional journey and emerge as a truly empowered individual. This exemplifies the essence of being nutritionally empowered.
In my free time I love to spend time with my husband and two daughters, paint, hike, listen to music, teach dance fitness at the recreation center in town, snowboard, paddle board, and of course, discover new and delicious foods!
Education and Certifications:
B.S., University of Colorado at Boulder
M.S., CSU-Global Campus
Nutritional Therapy Practitioner
Restorative Wellness Practitioner Level 3