Because I always say i’m going to update the blog more — here goes!!

I don’t wanna be one of those people who says “life has been crazy!”

But actually, life has been crazy — in all the best ways. I am in the final semester of my accelerated MBA program, and I’ll be done full time in May, with just one course left to take the month of June. I am amazed at how quickly this program flew by, and even more amazed I actually get to say I have my MBA this summer! I could not be more grateful I decided to choose this path post grad with my Bachelors in Environmental Studies. I’m currently working part time as a social media strategist, part time as a receptionist at a community college, and part time as a content curator for a small coffee company. I run my Beautycounter Biz on the side, and also recently picked up more freelance clients. I love staying busy.

I’ve always been somewhat of a “multipotentialite.” That’s not a brag for even a second — because in a lot of ways I think it comes with challenges. Multipotentialite is a term coined by Emilie Wapnick to describe individuals with many interests and creative pursuits. We have many paths, and we pursue them all, either sequentially or simultaneously (or both). For more on that, watch Emily’s incredible Ted Talk. I think it sums up just about everything I’ve ever misunderstood about myself.

Emilie Wapnick: Why some of us don't have one true calling | TED Talk

I’m 4 months into an incredible part time job as a social media strategist for a marketing and design agency. I work fully remote and create my own schedule. I am passionate about the work I do for clients, and always excited to take on something new at work — whether that be email campaigns, graphic design, PR work, different forms of marketing, or unique certifications to gain new knowledge and skills. I truly love my job, which is why I accepted a full time offer come May. I am thrilled to be a part of such a fun, motivated team of people — and I absolutely love that we never stop learning.

As I wrap up my MBA, continue to do freelance work, and prep to go full time at my current position in just a few weeks, I can’t help but wonder if my “multipotentialite” persona has started to define how I lead my life and continue to shape my future — and I’m totally okay with it.

the big news

Yesterday I made a decision to enroll in a year long health coach training program through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. My mom attended IIN when it was an in person program in NYC, back when I was just six years old. What she gained from the program changed my family, and though I didn’t know it at age six, altered the course of my future. Food played a pivotal role in my life from a young age. Organic, whole, local foods became the norm after my moms experience at IIN, and an emphasis on balance and the “90/10” (occasionally more like 80/20) lifestyle was what helped me to understand our relationship with food, health & general wellness, and how important it truly is. Integrative health and nutrition became a lifestyle, and one I’m forever thankful for.

As a child I dealt with asthma and numerous allergies. As I grew up, and holistic & integrative health became a core part of our lifestyle as a family, we started seeing a chiropractor. Within a few months of regular visits, I was able to discontinue nebulizer treatments. I still go to the chiropractor monthly.

Food was always an interesting battle. As a child I dealt with numerous allergies. In middle and high school I cut out gluten, dairy, and refined sugars. I tried the autoimmune protocol “diet,” and attempted other nutritional changes in hopes of relieving all different symptoms I had been experiencing. All of these diet and lifestyle changes impacted me positively, and working with a functional medicine doctor changed my perspective on how we interact with food and how so often we don’t recognize the connections between our mental health and food. I didn’t end up sticking with any one “lifestyle” (I hate the word diet) specifically, but I’m grateful to have learned what I did about myself, my relationship with food, and my body. I am grateful I had the knowledge (& means) I did to create these changes and find what worked best for me during that time. Having the resources and ability to meet with holistic health coaches, nutritionists, and functional medicine doctors, has helped me get to the root of my symptoms. It’s helped me identify the relationship between the foods we eat & anxiety, the ways we move our bodies & stress, and more. It’s helped me pinpoint who I am as a person & what I need to live my life wholly & unapologetically.

What works best for me is balance. Through my mom and through my own passion and interest for food, I’ve learned how powerful it truly is to have balance in the way we eat, the way we move, and the ways in which we go about our daily lives. I was briefly vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free, and refined sugar free (all at different times) & what I have found works best for me is a real, true to its core, balanced way of eating that includes ALL food groups. I switched out the processed bread for my Nannies homemade sourdough or locally baked Sourdough (but I also will 100% order chicken parm or a burger out to eat:). I eat dairy free ice cream at home because I enjoy it — but I will also have my dairy queen blizzards & Somerset ice cream because it makes me happy. I love making my coffee at home but I will 110% drink Dunks when I forget to make my own, or because sometimes you just crave that familiarity, you know? Balance. is. key. And indulging will forever be good for you. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

My family has always placed an emphasis on buying local, shopping small, and indulging when we want to. For a few years we raised our own pigs and chickens for slaughter. At the time, I don’t think I recognized how truly incredible this was — our animals lived a happy and healthy life on our own little farm, and then they became food for our family. We knew exactly where they came from (our backyard!!) and what they ate. After we stopped raising our own animals, we continued to purchase from food cooperatives and local farms to continue our support of buying local & shopping small. Knowing where our food came from was, and still is, key.

At age 16, I got a job at a local juice bar. My job helped me learn more about the power of whole foods — and how different veggies, fruits & superfoods effect our bodies & provide us with nutrients so vital to our wellbeing. I was lucky enough to work a part time job through high school that I absolutely loved and was so passionate about.

My homeschooling journey also led me to this decision. I have to say my favorite part about being homeschooled was the endless field trips. Homeschooling was all about soaking up situations, trying new things, and leaning into daily life experiences. The idea was that the world was our classroom & our science labs were our backyards. Though it sounds cliche, I don’t think there’s anything I’m more grateful for. The perks of homeschooling are endless — one of my favorites being that I was able to learn from so many moms — moms who were nurses, teachers, yoga instructors, business professionals, and more. For example, I started yoga classes in middle school, because a homeschooling mom was an instructor at a local studio. She taught a yoga class at our co-op, and I later attended her classes at the studio as well. Yoga is again a huge part of my life today. I was introduced to cooking classes by a mom who loved to cook, science classes by a mom who worked as a nurse, and more. I took theatre courses and nutrition classes at community college just because I wanted to. Homeschooling is the true definition of lifelong learning — and it’s a huge part of the reason I decided to enroll in Nutrition school at IIN — because I’m not ever going to be done learning. I am hugely passionate about Integrative health, wellness, and balanced living, so I’m choosing to nurture that passion — just like my mom (and every homeschooling mom out there:) would’ve told me to do.

and that’s what got me here.

Food changes everything, but our health is determined by much more than just the food we eat. We also have to work to nourish the areas of our lives that feed our soul, like fostering positive relationships, having fulfilling careers, and finding joy and purpose in what we do. This is what integrative nutrition really is. It’s the integration of all dimensions of our well-being to create true health and happiness. And I can’t wait to dive further into how integrative nutrition plays a role in my life, and eventually help others find the answer to that question too.

I start school (again!) in September and couldn’t be more excited for this next step. Cheers to unleashing the wisdom and potential to nourish, heal and thrive in our own ways. 🤎

p.s. greens are good for you but forget to eat the chocolate cake :’)

Anna