About Chrystal
I grew up eating junk food. Nutrition wasn’t a word I was familiar with. It never even occurred to me that I’d one day be a health, fitness or nutrition coach.
My mother, as wonderful as she was, wasn’t much of a cook and healthy eating just wasn’t anywhere on her radar. Most of the meals we ate came from a package of some sort. Vegetables consisted of canned or frozen peas, carrots and corn. The only real whole foods we ate were potatoes – always boiled and mashed or baked in the microwave; and for fruit we had apples and oranges. I might have believed those were the only fruits that existed at one point. I don’t much like apples or oranges these days – though admittedly, they are starting to grow on me again.
I was also the loudest complainer when it came to school outings that required any distance of walking or hiking. I didn’t do any sports, choosing to spend my extracurricular time learning to smoke, drink alcohol and party instead. I had no idea that each of us is truly an athlete by birthright. I certainly wasn’t. I didn’t realize how much control we had over how healthy we were and felt in our own skin, or what a huge impact little changes we can make will have on our very own lives. I had no idea how much better I could feel, by simply changing up my nutrition a little. Now that I’m somewhat familiar with these concepts and I’ve changed my life completely, it’s my goal to help introduce you to a better quality of life too.
All the way into early adulthood I wondered when I was going to lose my baby fat. I was never obese, but I wasn’t the stereotypical thin girl either. I didn’t feel healthy and I definitely didn’t have control over what I ate.
I have a distinctly sharp memory of my young girlfriend and I, each buying a tub of Pringles chips. We opened them together and I watched as she ate just 2 or 3 chips and then put the rest aside for later. I finished mine in one sitting all the while wondering why she didn’t have to finish her open container the way I had to finish mine. I just couldn’t resist. I wasn’t done until the chips were done. I understand the drivers behind this behavior now, and I’m proud to say I don’t suffer those compulsions anymore, though disordered eating is definitely something I successfully battle just about every single day. I have put in the practice, building the skills to form habits that give more control over it than it has over me now.
In 2009 my mother died on her 55th birthday. Her death was caused by addiction and preventable, lifestyle-based disease. Approximately 70% of all deaths are caused by preventable, lifestyle-based choices. It is now my goal to help change that number. Through mourning my mom, my focus switched to my own personal health. I quit smoking and started a gym regime. I had no idea what I was doing when I went to the gym, but I went every single day and did my best on the machines. I copied what I saw other people doing and learned to love the endorphins that I got after a good cardio workout. I took an online course on Fitness and Nutrition that whetted my appetite for more. At 31 years old, I quit my office job and went back to college to become a Registered Massage Therapist. I left the big global gym and found CrossFit 5 years ago. I’ve since become a CrossFit Level 2 Trainer, a Certified ACE Personal Trainer, a Certified WAG Nutrition Coach, a Precision Nutrition Level 2 Master Coach, a PN Sleep, Stress Management & Recovery Coach and a Certified Girls Gone Strong Women’s Coaching Specialist.
I continue to learn new things because not only does it make my quality of life better, it allows me the opportunity help you make your quality of life better. And that’s where I really thrive.
About Coaching
My goal as a nutrition coach is to help people change their lives for the better. Good nutrition (combined with adequate exercise and plenty of rest), has the power to reduce illness and prevent the onset of multiple common diseases like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. By taking little steps in the right direction towards a deeper sense of health, you can look, feel and perform better in all aspects of you life.
It’s your life and I want to help you make the best of it.
I offer direction, support and accountability.
I want to be your ally on your path to good health and fitness. All too often when people embrace a journey for betterment they are met with opposition from their close friends and loved ones, instead of support. Family and friends can sometimes be discouraging, even destructive to a person’s goals. Sometimes it’s because they don’t understand the motives. Sometimes it’s because change is scary. Sometimes, it’s because they don’t think they could make the changes themselves and feel a little bit of jealousy as they watch you do it. Sometimes, they just don’t know how to offer support. Whatever it is and whether or not this is your reality, I want to work with you in finding a strategy towards better health that best fits your life. I want to brainstorm solutions with you, and celebrate your successes by your side.
You do not have to go at this alone.
I recognize that each of my clients is a complete individual with their own distinct body and physical abilities. Each of you has unique past experiences, perspectives, likes, dislikes and attitudes. You come with a different set of skills and varying knowledge-bases, and all with individual wants and goals. I want to get to know you, the real you so that we can put your priorities, agenda and needs first in creating a custom strategy that moves you towards reaching your goals.
