Client Success Story: Ashley H.
Welcome to my Food Freedom Success Stories series, where I feature a client I’ve worked with in either my signature 8-Week Food Freedom Mentorship and/or my Yearlong Coaching Program.
This week, we’re covering the fabulous Ashley and her Food Freedom success story!
In my coaching programs, my goal is always to help my client develop a healthier relationship with food and her body. This looks different for everyone (as I cover in my book!), but Ashley’s main goal was to take an active role in her own life. Ashley and I instantly clicked — in fact, she was the ONLY client I worked with before/during/after giving birth to my son. I vowed to take a break from coaching unless I absolutely loved the client who inquired about my services, and to say I loved working with Ashley is a compete understatement. She was (and continues to be — she’s part of my Healthy & Happy membership!) a dream to work with, and I can’t wait for you to get to know her and learn more from her story.
Keep reading to learn more about Ashley and her inspiring Food Freedom success story.
FEATURED INTERVIEW: ASHLEY H.
8-Week Food Freedom Mentorship Client (1-on-1) & Healthy and Happy Membership Member
What has been your biggest accomplishment?
It is really hard to define one big accomplishment from the 8 weeks working with Julie. I believe the most rewarding accomplishment has been actually enjoying life as it is, finding peace and calmness within my world, and no longer feeling as though I am an outsider “watching a movie of life” unfolding in front of me. I am choosing the life I want to have over the life that I “should” have.
Another big accomplishment I have gained over the course of working with Julie is working on getting rid of the all-or-nothing mindset I have lived in for a very long time! It has helped me daily – I have accepted injury better because of this and allowed myself and my body the time it needs to heal; I make sure and move everyday even if it’s not exactly what I want it to look like; I make sure and do the things I WANT and NEED to do every single day even if they don’t happen as “perfectly” or as timely as my brain says they should. I am appreciating each day and how it unfolds instead of being so ridged.
Oh, and I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Iowa State University too
What made you decide to join the 8-week mentorship?
I was a bit desperate to find myself – I have been all of 2020 (or a lot of my life if I’m being 100% honest). Even before the dumpster fire called 2020, I was in the pits of my rock bottom when the universe aligned my life with the incredible Julie! I binged her podcast and kept hearing a quiet background voice telling me to reach out to her to find out more about her 8-week program. I NEEDED something magically life changing without a “magic pill” – I craved myself and building a healthy relationship with food and my body, but I gained so much more than just that!
Julie’s energy, vibe and willingness to help/teach through her programming radiates from her – I am forever grateful I took the chance on myself and worked with Julie!
Where do you think you'd be/how would things be different if you didn't change anything?
I don’t think, I know I would still be living in a pit of despair at the bottom of rock bottom if I hadn’t signed up to work with Julie.
What's the biggest difference you've noticed physically, emotionally or mentally?
I have removed so many barriers, aversions, and mindsets directed at food. I know I still have more work to do, but I am finally seeing the benefits of not being so consumed with food and food decisions - my days revolve around food less and less and I have been enjoying food again. I am eating the things I want to eat mindfully and using the GPF method and the +1 method to make healthy, nutritious choices while still enjoying the foods I love like chocolate. Removing food from “good” and “bad” categories has freed my mind from decision fatigue within food. It has allowed me to have less mental exhaustion overall thankfully
I have made shifts in my lifestyle and not just momentary changes – healthier habits, me-time every day, routines that allow me to flourish while keeping me grounded and on track for the life I want to be living. I am present in my relationships and just pure enjoyment of the people and things around me.
How is your life different now?
I have begun to LOVE myself and my life more than I ever have before!!!! – feeling less of life’s overwhelmingness but still feeling very productive and appreciating the relationships and experiences in my life.
What would you tell someone who wants to embark on the journey of Food Freedom?
The thing I would tell someone on the fence about joining this program to give them a final “push” would be – STOP putting yourself last! Change your priorities and your choices to love yourself enough to invest in yourself and the life you want!
Thanks for sharing your story, Ashley! We are super proud of you!