Client Success Story: Sam A.
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 Sam 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 one of Taylor’s main goals was to prioritize her own health and wellness. Taylor is the classic example of someone who will give, give, give before she cares for herself — which most of us can probably relate to! As a teacher, she would selflessly give to her students and her family, leaving little room/time for herself at the end of the day. During our time together, it was amazing to witness her starting to practice putting her own wellness at the top of her priority list. She built consistent, small habits with her food and exercise, and it really paid off!
Keep reading to learn more about Sam and her inspiring Food Freedom success story.
FEATURED INTERVIEW: SAM
8-Week Food Freedom Mentorship Client (1-on-1) x 2
What has been your biggest accomplishment during our time working together?
The biggest accomplishment over the last 8-weeks is changing my relationship with food. It feels as though the entire health world is telling us that carbohydrates are bad for you and eating chocolate will result in becoming obese. Being flooded with information like that ends up making us consumers feel guilty for eating anything outside proteins and veggies. I have spent decades trying to change my relationship with food but nothing has ever worked. It only took me less than two months with Julie to truly feel good about myself when I ate carbs and chocolate. No food is bad for you in moderation. She taught me that I didn't have to feel guilty about eating foods that taste delicious and to (dare I say) enjoy the garlic bread and dessert at dinner time! There's a strategy behind everything of course and the one she promotes works for me and I LOVE feeling happy about eating whatever I choose to eat!
What made you decide to join the 8-week mentorship (TWICE!)?
The very first conversation I had with you made me join the program. I thought you were going to tell me to eat 1500 calories a day and to stay away from high sugary foods. You weren't there to tell me I should lose weight but to work on the relationship I had with food and how I felt about myself. You then shared your own personal struggles and experiences making you sound human and not just another woman who rocks a perfect body and has a pretty face. As shallow as that sounds, it's how a lot of people view strangers.. at face value and don't see the real person inside. You too were vulnerable in the initial conversation with sharing your story which in return made me feel more comfortable to share mine.
Where do you think you'd be/how would things be different if you didn't sign up for the program?
Had I not signed up for the program I would still be struggling with my relationship with both food and myself. I always thought food was the problem and if I could just get a grasp on that relationship, I would be living free. HOWEVER, I learned that food was the easy part, it was the unravelling of the sub-conscious that was the hardest. This is why diets and 'lifestyle' changes haven't worked with me in the past because I was just blindly following a suggested eating plan. If it wasn't for Julie, I would be doing the exact same thing and not changing the way I saw food and more importantly, saw myself.
What would you tell someone who's on the fence about joining?
If you're on the fence about joining I would tell you to give it a shot. Why? Because I too was on the fence. The skepticism of this actually working, does she really care about me or is she just trying to make money, the price of having a life coach isn't cheap (especially when you just lose your job due to a pandemic and have no idea if you'll ever go back to work). I GET IT. TRUST ME! I was on the fence because of all of those hesitations I listed above. I cannot convince anyone to join but I can provide my insight, so here me out for a second. I have been through the obesity stage of my life, I have adopted an eating disorder and have lost all the weight and then some, I have even done the fitness challenges and running festivals that have kept me in fantastic shape but throughout all of those experiences, I have never been truly happy with myself or with food. Let me say that again, I have never been truly happy with myself or relationship with food. Make the investment in yourself and believe in the process and I PROMISE you that you too will end up happier as a person after working with Julie in just a short amount of time. Our girl had a baby so she is taking some time to herself and despite not officially working with her anymore, she still checks in and leaves voice notes and is my biggest cheerleader. If she didn't care about her work and her clients you would feel like a business transaction.. not a close new friend.
What's the biggest difference you've noticed physically, emotionally or mentally?
The biggest difference I have noticed is definitely in relation to the mentally and emotionally side of things. Everyone's experience is different but I personally wanted to focus on the mental and emotional side of myself. Because of this, Julie made a point to centralize our work around becoming more emotionally and mentally aware of situations happening in life and how to navigate through them in a positive way. I am much more consciously aware of what's happening and always going one step further asking the 'why'. When that fails, I relate back to our notes and discussions that we've had and remember how to keep moving forward based on previous discussions.
What are you MOST proud of?
I am MOST proud of asking for help. I really opened up to a stranger and in return was able to get the most out of working with her. The truth of the matter is, everyone goes through some seriously f*cked up things. YOU SHOULD need to ask for help. You are human and reaching out for some support from someone who isn't in your inner circle could seriously help save/transform your life. Don't ever feel ashamed for asking for help. Asking for help is a STRENGTH..not a weakness.
Thanks for sharing your story, Sam! We are super proud of you!