personal health coaching

Personal Health Coaching focuses on specific health issues like the ones listed below. We’ll develop an individualized plan that works with your lifestyle, addresses your barriers, and supports your ability to make healthy changes. Using this approach, we’ll work together as a team to reach your health and wellness goals…

“I was self-conscious of my eating deficiencies and worried about long term implications. I needed someone to provide accountability and help me set realistic steps towards my goal. Heather helped me make small and incremental changes and reconsider foods I previously rejected. I've learned to observe how my energy and mood affect my eating decisions, and account for those when planning for the week. It's been great, and I've learned about myself through the process.”

- David

Functonal nutrition

Have you struggled to reach your health and wellness goals? 

Functional Nutrition coaching uses a “whole person approach” to address genetic, medical, lifestyle, and environmental factors that impact your health. 

We’ll develop a plan that includes personalized nutrition, a fun and effective activity program, and strategies to manage stress, sleep, work/life balance and other barriers.

My specialties include:

  • Risk Factor Reduction (Lipids, Pre-Diabetes, Hypertension)

  • Healthy Weight Management

  • GI Issues (IBS, IBD, Reflux)

  • Food Allergies/Sensitivities

  • Autoimmunity (Thyroid, RA, Migraine, Chronic Fatigue, Eczema, Allergies)

“As a functional nutritionist, Heather is extremely knowledgeable in the latest technology and research, combining her exercise physiology and coaching skills with her passion for finding the source of imbalance in the body.  She is a joy to work with and has helped me to recover and manage my health issues through diet, sleep and lifestyle changes.  I have improved and learned so much, and really appreciate having the knowledge and motivation to stay on track."

- Michael

sports nutrition

Running your first half marathon, cycling your first century, or trying to optimize performance for competitive sports? Or maybe you’re a seasoned athlete who struggles with muscle cramps, chronic injury, stomach issues, or poor recovery? 

Then learning to fuel, hydrate and train are keys to your success. 

Sports Nutrition coaching can help you:

  • Maximize energy and performance

  • Address barriers to training (chronic injury, low energy, muscle cramping, etc.)

  • Achieve optimal body composition 

  • Fuel adequately during endurance events

  • Optimize recovery from hard workouts

“For years, I enjoyed health articles written by Heather in NW Runner magazine. I decided to work with her, and her holistic approach to whole-body health has been so much more effective than just looking at nutrition. She is extremely knowledgeable and advises me on nutrition, supplements, and methods to improve my diet and exercise. She listens carefully to my questions and conducts research to provide the best recommendations. As new challenges have developed with age, she continues to provide recommendations and guidance for overcoming these issues. I’ve greatly enjoyed working with her and consider my life has benefited from our relationship.”

- Lewis

disordered eating

Working through disordered eating issues is a challenging process, often requiring extended treatment with a multi-disciplinary team.  As a specialist in nutrition, exercise and behavioral counseling, I work with physicians and mental health professionals to guide clients along a path to recovery.  This includes:

  • Helping clients understand their nutrition needs for health and recovery

  • Developing and monitoring an individualized eating plan

  • Optimizing “Energy Balance,” including return to appropriate activity

  • Working towards a healthy body image and positive food relationship

“My blood sugar had reached the “pre-diabetic range” and I wanted to lower it. Heather helped me not only meet that goal, but also increase my protein intake as a vegetarian. I appreciate her supportive approach. I never felt shamed or scolded for my eating habits. As someone with a previous eating disorder, this accepting approach allowed me to look openly at my behavior, instead of getting defensive. I also valued her holistic, Functional Nutrition approach.”

- Leslie

Food Sensitivities

Food sensitivities can play a role in many health issues but are challenging to identify since reactions can be both “delayed and dose-related.”  Common complaints such as digestive issues, heartburn/GERD, migraines and headaches, joint pain, fatigue, and some skin and respiratory issues can be caused by an immune reaction to foods, additives, or chemicals in the diet or environment. 

The Mediator Release Test (MRT) provides a functional measurement of diet-induced sensitivity. It quantifies your body’s inflammatory response to a variety of foods and chemicals. Based on your results we will develop a low-reactive diet, aimed at reducing inflammation and limiting symptoms. MRT testing can help to identify food and chemical sensitivities, which can be a lengthy process using standard elimination diets.

“When I first met Heather, I was a mess… constant congestion, puffy weepy eyes, and GI issues. She suggested we use the MRT test to identify food and chemical sensitivities. To my utter shock… I had many! We developed a plan including “low reactive” foods, and identified alternative foods and recipes that did not give me issues. Within one week, my constant congestion and need for nasal sprays was gone. I sleep better and feel like I have my life back!  I highly recommend working with her.”

- Kurt