Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Kozimor-Perrin MS, RDN.
Amanda, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am a girl from New Mexico that went to school in Texas, and now find myself in Southern California (finally). I have my Masters in Nutrition, and learning how the body works or reading a journal article gives me life. A little nerdy, I know, but I accept it. I am a wife and mom that is trying to figure out life one day at a time. I love nutrition, and will never stop working to create a better space for people to take care of themselves. For the past six years, my husband and I have lived in Los Angeles, where we host our podcasts, meet with clients, and raise our sweet little boy and two sassy dogs.
I have been a Registered Dietitian for 11 years, and during that time there has been a shift in the world of nutrition – especially with social media becoming a more prominent source for where people get their health information. I am passionate about educating people about what is true in the world of nutrition, and that not every trend is right for them. I also focus on functional nutrition and truly believe every aspect of our lives affects our health. I believe in a full-circle approach when meeting with my clients. It is never about the number on the scale, it is about what is going on within our bodies, and working to find that out while striving to break the mentality that diet culture has put the majority of us into. Having a healthy relationship with food is becoming increasingly vital for anyone pushing to move forward in their health journey. I believe there is no such thing as “good” or “bad” food. Food is food.
We all have different needs physically, emotionally, psychologically, and nutritionally. There’s no such thing as a “one size fits all” diet, and when we break ourselves of the negative beliefs surrounding diet culture, we can start to focus on what we need as individuals. Where we all get into trouble is having distorted views of what is “good” or “bad,” and letting trends and fads dictate what we view as facts. This is what leads people to constantly switch diets and be subject to fluctuations in overall health. Food can’t have a moral value, and when we continue approaching it this way we increase the amount of guilt or shame we have when eating food that has been deemed “bad,” keeping us from reaching any health goal we have set out to accomplish.
I co-host a weekly podcast about health and wellness called Quarter Life Crisis, provide nutrition workshops in corporate, commercial, and private venues under my brand Purely Perrin, and meet with clients regularly via video chat, or in person. I will always find a way to work with someone, because I care about our collective well-being, and will do everything I can to help!
Has it been a smooth road?
No journey is ever perfectly smooth, but learning how to find my place in the dietetic world has been interesting and valuable. I began to work clinically, which I quickly realized wasn’t where my passion lied. I shifted to working with people individually so I could focus on their needs much more intentionally and specifically. It’s scary putting yourself out there and being on your own, but starting my own business proves to be worth it with each new person I help learn more about how to take care of themselves.
A common challenge I encounter is the amount of misinformation on social media. A lot of what you’ll find online isn’t rooted in science, but there’s a growing number of professionals working to have a voice and help people find what is right for them. Many people want you to think they can solve your problems without knowing anything about you, but I strive to help people understand the value in meeting with real health professionals who can make a plan that is right for you, based on your needs.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Purely Perrin Nutrition is my business where I meet with clients, provide workshops for corporate wellness programs, or businesses wanting to offer their clients something extra. I specialize in working with people who want to break away from previous eating habits and mentalities that have been preventing them from moving forward in their health goals. I also specialize in focusing on “not just the food,” but also a person’s spiritual, emotional, and mental state. Without all of them receiving attention, you will never feel your best.
I am the proudest of seeing a client be able to feel good by understanding how their body works, and how they need to be eating and approaching food to feel their absolute best. I truly care about my clients. I tell them from the first meeting that my goal is for them to gain education and know they can do this, rather than feeling dependent on me. I want to empower my clients and let them know they are capable of achieving these goals, and I am always here if they need some support along the way.
Quarter Life Crisis podcast is also something that I am very proud of. Me and my co-hosts, Kaitlyn Herman and Morgan Willett, are trying to help people of any age not feel alone while working through all things “health, wellness, and figuring your sh*t out.” We launched the podcast at the end of October 2019, and have already built a community for people to come together, ask questions, and have a space to be vulnerable.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Los Angeles gives an incredible opportunity for anyone looking to start a business because there is every type of industry here. For me, it’s a great place because people are focused on health, and strive for longevity in their lives. The issue for the city (and business like mine) is it’s so expensive to live here. This makes it hard for people to have the ability to pay for their health. Half (or more than half) of some people’s income goes to rent alone and makes it very hard to put money towards health and wellness while trying to avoid creating more stress from the financial strain. Los Angeles is great for so many reasons, but the cost of living is going up faster than we’d all like!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.purelyperrin.com
- Email: amanda@purelyperrin.com qlcgirls.pod@gmail.com
- Instagram: @purelyperrin Podcast: @qlcgirls @yepididthatpodcast
- Other: www.qlcgirls.com
Image Credit:
Becca Ray, Pierre Schlumberger, Tyler Iacona, Jorge Juarez.
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