Today we’d like to introduce you to Jackie Hackett.
Hi Jackie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was an athlete my whole life up until my first year of college. Never once did I think about nutrition and how what we put into our body can impact us. Not until my own digestive and mental health issues hit me in college did I go down the rabbit hole of nutrition and holistic wellness. My interest in nutrition then led to my disordered eating and compensatory exercise, which at the time I did not realize was an issue. When Western medicine did not have answers and could not help me, I became frustrated but also knew there had to be a better way. I decided to become a Registered Dietitian and get my Masters Degree in Nutritional Science. I graduated from UC Santa Barbara with an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Sociology and went straight to community college to take all the required science classes for my masters. I decided I missed the high-intensity training component of being an athlete so I studied and became certified as a personal trainer and started my first job working at Equinox. Becoming a Dietitian was a 3.5 year process including 1200 hours of internships, a national board exam, and full-time school while working 2 jobs as a server and personal trainer.
Upon becoming a Dietitian, I worked as a Clinical Dietitian at a hospital in an underserved community. I then transitioned to an outpatient Dietitian position at Kaiser Permanente, which at the time, I thought was my dream job! A year and a half in I knew I could not practice and benefit my patients in the best way possible due to the constraints of Western medicine, as well as working for a large institution. I took the leap with the knowledge and experience I had to launch my practice Hackett Health. It was the best decision I’ve ever made and I’ve never been happier. Over the years, I’ve put in the work to heal my gut health, heal my relationship with food and my body and understand what is best for me mentally, physically and emotionally. Last year, I also became a certified Intuitive Eating Counselor. I now have the expertise to work with exactly who I want to work with; people who have been through and experienced the same struggles as I have.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not! But I don’t think anything in life comes too easily, especially when you have a growth mindset and have high standards for yourself. A business coach once told me if you’re not overwhelmed and feel like you’re drowning from time to time, then you aren’t doing enough. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is myself and my belief system. Imposter syndrome is very real. It is still fairly early on in my career and many self-doubts and limiting beliefs have surfaced, thinks like “You’re not good enough”, “do you really know what you’re doing”, “that other influencer is doing it better”. Also having confidence to know my worth, which I’ve realized just comes from experience, but I struggled with early on especially as a personal trainer. My heart rate no longer goes up when I provide my price now.
As you know, we’re big fans of Hackett Health. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Hackett Health is a nutrition and fitness coaching business that helps others stop dieting and build happier, healthier relationships with food and their body. Through the Anti Diet Hack program, we empower clients to unlearn behaviors, build new habits and discover a new view to long-lasting health and wellness without restrictive diets or extreme exercise programs. The founding principle of our practice is finding and sustaining long-term wellness through balance in nutrition, movement, and mindset. I work mostly with women and those who have a history of disordered eating or eating disorders or anyone who has tried countless diets and are fed up with all the fads of diet culture. I am most proud of my clients and their continued success! When they follow the program it works, they see results and ultimately they get their life and freedom back. My number one goal is to help others find peace, confidence and strength within themselves by guiding them on their own journey to health and fitness.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I quit my stable 9-5 job with benefits! Ever since COVID, it seems very cliche to say such a thing since everyone wants to be an entrepreneur, travel often and work remotely. However, there is still risk involved, especially at this time with the state of our economy. Being an entrepreneur comes with high risk, high reward, but I think that’s the fun of it all! You are truly in full control to create your reality. If you believe enough in yourself, have a plan and some skills, you can go a long way. Again another cliche, but you will never know what you are fully capable of if you stay content in your comfort zone. So I can say I am in support of taking risks! Because what’s the worst that can happen? You end up on the couch at a friend or family’s house and you get a job until you’re ready for the next risk.
Contact Info:
- Website: hackett.health
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hacketthealth/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jhackettRDN
Image Credits
@jonathan.collins
