Over the last 27 years, we’ve licensed over 130,000 well being, vitamin, and health professionals. Every month, we acknowledge considered one of our distinguished graduates who use what they’ve realized to encourage others and make a distinction.
Meet our graduate for the month of April, Laura Heflin, an AFPA Certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant.
How did you initially develop into taken with well being and health?
On the age of 19, I discovered myself scuffling with borderline anorexia. My relationship with meals and my physique was very poisonous, and I actually was depressing. The psychological and bodily stress I used to be below and the large quantity of weight that I misplaced ultimately triggered a hormonal imbalance in addition to anxiousness and despair. I misplaced my menstrual cycle utterly for half a 12 months, and I had no vitality or willpower to stand up and do something that was required of me. At some point, I awoke and realized, “there needs to be a greater approach to be match and in form.” So, I made a decision I might discover it. I started researching what a wholesome grownup human physique required to thrive, and I discovered myself changing into enthralled with the various superb and therapeutic meals and treatments that had been at my fingertips and had been all alongside. I finished counting energy and proscribing myself from sure meals teams, and I started spending a lot of time within the kitchen creating recipes that had been plant-based, anti-inflammatory, and balanced (all of which will be seen on my weblog and in my guide Reside Wholesome With Laura). Inside just a few months, I obtained my glow again, my vitality elevated, my hormones leveled out, and I returned to a wholesome weight. I then realized that meals was not the enemy, however as a substitute, it was a robust therapeutic software for my physique. My husband noticed how blissful I used to be and the way passionate I had develop into about well being and wellness, and he inspired me to get licensed so I may assist others. So, ten years in the past, and after a lot analysis, I got here throughout AFPA, and inside six months, I used to be licensed as a nutritionist and started serving to others discover freedom and therapeutic. Ten years in the past, my firm Reside Wholesome With Laura LLC was born.
What certification did you select, and why did you select AFPA?
I selected the Vitamin and Wellness Advisor certification as a result of it was developed across the perception that I already knew to be true, and that’s that meals will be the very best type of medication or the worst type of poison. In our tradition, we focus so typically on the fallacious facets of 1’s weight loss program, and we focus a lot on the size. So, I used to be enthusiastic about altering our society’s mind-set and redefining what “wholesome” actually means by using my certification and utilizing it as a possibility to be a voice.
What was your profession like previous to changing into licensed?
I used to be a enterprise main, and on the time, I used to be working as a receptionist for my dad, who’s a household doctor.
What’s your profession like now?
I’ve my very own workplace house inside my dad’s workplace. He’s a widely known household doctor within the Fredericksburg, VA, space, and he refers sufferers to me typically who he believes can discover therapeutic holistically by way of their weight loss program versus medicinally. I’m additionally the vitamin spokesperson for fit20 USA in addition to a three-time revealed creator as of this month.
What are your favourite components of your profession?
I like serving to my shoppers rediscover a wholesome relationship with meals in addition to their our bodies. I additionally love instructing them tips on how to tune into their very own physique’s distinctive wants. I like listening to their constructive suggestions on how their vitality and general high quality of life have elevated too!
How has changing into licensed with AFPA impacted your life?
I really feel so empowered now to assist others, and I simply love making a distinction! I additionally, by way of serving to my shoppers, am much more so reminded to handle myself, particularly as a busy, working mom of two. I do know that I can’t afford to burn out if I need to make an affect (I dive into this subject fairly a bit in my second guide, Mama, You Nonetheless Matter)!
Do you may have any consumer success tales you wish to share?
I had one girl just lately who was advised that on the price her diabetes was going she may seemingly have everlasting organ harm and be reliant on insulin for the remainder of her life. Inside three months of working with me, she was down thirty kilos. She has been advised that inside just a few weeks, she ought to be capable to get off of her insulin utterly. She additionally has expressed to me that since beginning with me, she has felt higher than she has in years, and she or he feels that she has lastly gotten her life again.
What recommendation do you give others fascinated with changing into licensed?
Dive all in. Don’t be afraid to work arduous. Get excited for all that’s to return, and provide you with an organization title, brand, and social media web page. Know what you imagine, and be passionate in sharing these beliefs along with your consumer. Keep in mind, you’re allowed to be distinctive, and also you don’t have to show in the identical fashion as every other nutritionist. Don’t be afraid to problem your shoppers and maintain them accountable in a sort manner. You’ll be able to educate all of them you realize, however keep in mind, it’s as much as them to implement the adjustments and do the work. Lastly, have your lesson plans, consumer questionnaires, and handouts organized, and safe workplace house that you’re happy with and that’s private to you.
To attach with Laura, comply with her on Instagram for extra data or go to https://www.livehealthywithlaura.com/ to study extra.
