Hello! I am pretty excited about this… I decided to become a Health Coach through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. I have actually thought about this for YEARS and years . But then ol’ RER took off and kept me super busy and I kinda pushed it aside.
Recently it’s been nagging at me again. I am obsessed with learning about health and food and balance and helping people. I really want to take my knowledge further. And I want to align myself with others who are passionate about healthy living.
My personal issues with binge eating and more recently hypothyroidism, have required me to do tons of research, self care and trial and error to find out how to keep myself healthy. It’s been a very long journey to learn what my binge eating triggers are and how to fuel myself in a healthy way.
I’m still working on eating the best diet for my thyroid issues (a recent blood test actually showed my T4 is now low – in the past it was just my T3). My family physician doesn’t have a ton of information on the best nutrition for thyroid issues and has always encouraged me to read up on it myself. I feel like becoming a health coach in combination with overcoming my own obstacles open up an opportunity for me to help you/my friends/strangers in the supermarket…
I know I have so much to learn. But given my personal experiences, I have so much to share. And after researching the program and their instructors I decided to just go for it!
I have signed up for the next session starting in July. It’s a year long virtual program. I was lucky enough to hear about a Memorial Day discount that took a lot of $$$ off tuition and IIN is offering to give that same discount to anyone who signs up and mentions me (Monica Olivas not necessarily Run Eat Repeat, but maybe that would work too). I did a lot of research so if you’re interested you can also email me monicaolivas@gmail.com with your questions.
So yeah… let’s see how this goes!
Related… now I have to mention this to Ben as I just realized I didn’t tell him yet. Monican is busted!
In other news…. Florida is still hot and beautiful and fun! I had to stay inside for most of the morning to get work done, but I’m planning on heading back out to take a walk and soak up the salty air right after I’m done with this post.
And Corey and I went snorkeling yesterday! Sadly I went at the worst time and it wasn’t very clear. I did see some Sheepshead fish! But I should try it again asap!
Question: When was the last time you went snorkeling?
Fun fact: I’m too scared to do SCUBA diving. For now, at least but might try it soon. On the other hand, for those who are into scuba diving, it might be more than beneficial to avail products like that Diving Computer.
This sounds perfect for you 🙂 Congrats.
I’m so excited for you! I’ve had my eye on the IIN for several years as well, and I’m determined to get around to it one of these days. You’re going to do great!
Regarding how to eat in a way that cares for the thyroid, which is a journey I embarked on 1.5 years ago, I would suggest reading Dr. Sarah Ballantyne’s and Dr. Datis Kharrazian’s books. They’ve done the most research on thyroid and diet, and I’ve personally followed Sarah’s plan and seen a reduction in my symptoms that meds never touched in 6 years. Dr. K is expected to release some ground breaking info on the topic in the next year or so.
Best of luck in school!!
Thank you Stephanie! I really appreciate this.
Congrats! I used to be a Personal Trainer even though I do not do it as a job I still you the knowledge for myself and blog. This will be a great opportunity for you.
Congrats! I already know that you’re going to be great at this since you’ve been doing it for yourself for so long already! Way to go!
How exciting for you Monica!! Good luck in this new endeavor. I’ve thought about this too but life just always seems to get in the way. Maybe I’ll shoot you an email with some questions I may have.
I have been thinking about the IIN program forever – it really really interests me! Congrats to you! I will probably do it some day but just started a new job so it will be awhile. I did do the Plant Based Certification through eCornell last fall – it is the one T. Colin Campbell established – I LOVED it! Good luck and keep us posted 🙂
I have not snorkeled in forever – it’s so fun tho! I did scuba before too – its fun but way better in an ocean than a lake – the lake (where I got certified) was scary!
PS – you and Ben are so cute – love the pic!
Monica: I’m a nurse who’s done a crap load of research on hypothyroidism and nutrition. FYI there’s a strong correlation between the Whole30 program
and better thyroid functioning. Hope this is helpful 🙂
Congratulations on your decision, Monica! I am finishing up the IIN program this month, and I have loved it! I’m in the process of changing from a 20 year corporate job to full time health coaching, and I’m so excited! There’s such a need to help others, and I think you’ll be great at it! Best of luck – I look forward to following your journey! (wow, sorry for all the exclamation points – I guess I am really excited for you!) 🙂
How exciting!! I’ve met/read blogs of a lot of health coaches from IIN and they all seem to have loved the program!
Congrats!! You will love IIN! I’m graduating in July! It’s been truly life-changing.
This is awesome! I struggle with binge eating every day it feels like… I’ve been so good but then yesterday M&Ms were on sale and I bought a bag of peanut M&Ms AND a bag of peanut butter M&Ms… and ate them both by this morning. I haven’t done anything this bad in so long and I feel horrible! I’m definitely looking into health and nutrition more. You’re very inspiring! 🙂
I’ve dealt with thyroid issues my entire life and recently had my thyroid removed. I’ve found, through trial and error, that what works best for me is a gluten free diet combined with lots of lifting weights. It’s a pretty well known fact that lots of cardio isn’t the best activity for an underactive thyroid. After years of running, running, running I switched to CrossFit and Paleo with dramatic results. I had way more energy, felt better, and finally lost the weight I wanted gone for so long. I take a combination of levothyroxine and armour thyroid, so a natural medication and a synthetic. The combination raises both my T3 and T4 levels and overall has left me feeling really great compared to only a synthetic medication.
Also, your doctor sounds clueless and I would suggest getting a referral to an endocrinologist or better yet, since you’re in California, I’m sure there are lots of Naturopathic doctors in your area who would be more helpful. Your thyroid being underactive is a serious health concern and because I didn’t take mine seriously for way too many years, thank you college, I ultimately think that’s what caused me to need to have it removed. Good luck!
That sounds like a great program–way to go after it!! You should totally try scuba diving, it is a blast. I am super claustrophobic and scared of sharks, but I absolutely love it! Snorkeling is always a blast too, have fun 🙂
Good luck with your program! I think it’s great whenever someone wants to further their education, especially when it’s something you’re passionate about. I think you’ll do wonderful because, as you said, you’ve had to research so much and do it alone for so long.
The last time I went snorkeling was in January when we were in Jamaica. I also will not go scuba diving. It freaks me out!
That’s pretty exciting. I know a few people who have done the course and loved it but I don’t know anyone who has gone on todo the coaching part. Good luck. I think you’ll do great.
I live in Miami so we are in/around the water a lot. My kids are too young to scuba but they both snorkel. We haven’t done it yet this summer … On the to do list!
SO SO SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!!!
glad you are making the time as you’ll rock at this.
Best of luck with this – it’s so exciting when you set your mind to something new. I love a good plan !
Ah yes the snorkeling panic attack of 2008….I was in Bermuda. Saw a turtle and freaked out. Swam back to the boat. I’m a wuss. It was a huge turtle. Lol.
Go Monican! 🙂 You have to do what’s best for you! 🙂
The last time I went snorkeling was in 2007 in the Bahamas! 🙂
That’s awesome that you’re following a goal and passion for healthy living, Monica. I wish you the best of luck with this new endeavor and hope you are able to conquer your health issues as well and help others. Enjoy your time in Florida! 🙂
Jealous of the snorkeling! I just went snorkeling in a lake near my house yesterday (where I usually swim). While it was nothing like blue ocean water, there’s still really cool stuff to see. Morning and late afternoon is usually the best time.
Just go for a scuba class! I was nervous, but by the end of training I was comfortable with it. I had a small freak out the last time I went but I was just with my hubbs (not a group like normal) and in a lake with very little visibility (5 feet in good parts, could barely see my dive watch in others). Training kicked in and we got through it, but… yeah… clear blue water with a dive master is easy peasy. Do it!!!
Good luck w/ your new chapter! I admire your willingness to share your nutrition struggles on your blog. I recently decided to take the plunge and start a blog myself and it is definitely scary to be transparent about your struggles. You have definitely inspired me! Keep it up!
I have been interested in doing the IIN courses. How much is the program? I’ve been on their website but cannot find the pricing info. When does the program start? Am I too late?
Congrats! I looked into that as well a couple years ago. I love nutrition and I might look into it again, but right now I just got my NASM certification and am focusing on getting clients for that. Way to go; I look forward to reading all about it!
Last summer…in the Cayman Islands. For 6 days. It was glorious and beautiful and I was the color of lobster when I was done. So worth it though.
I truly loved the teachings of IIN! I feel like even though I had a nutrition and food bachelor’s degree from college with a concentration in dietetics, that it really expanded and elaborated further on holistic nutrition. You’ll learn about a lot of different diets, that’s for sure! I found it interesting. Good luck! Oh, and the Pauly D photo there with BUSTED is cracking me up. Love me some Pauly D