Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Brandt.
Christine, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up here in the LA area and when I was young, I always thought I’d settle down elsewhere. I got into a college in Chicago as well as one here in LA County and for some reason, felt drawn to stay. When I majored in Intercultural Studies, I thought I’d make a career out of overseas nonprofit work, but again felt drawn to stay after completing an internship in the Middle East. Then, when my (now) husband began applying for jobs all over the country, I took on a very “where you go, I’ll go” attitude. And as it turns out, he got hired for the job of his dreams right here in Los Angeles. The third time I felt this call to stay, I knew it was meant to be. I love our city! That said, I’m only 27 and if I’ve learned anything about telling my own story, it’s that the story is not over. In recent years, I’ve grown in my willingness to let the big things of life evolve, including my business.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
About 6 years ago, I found myself asking that ever familiar question: “What do I want to do with my life?” I was passionate about both nonprofit work and nutrition, the latter in which I had no formal training. The reason I felt this love for nutrition was because I’d experienced some serious physical and emotional healing from cleaning up my diet. I struggle with PMDD, a disorder that all women should be aware of (but for the sake of this article, I’ll spare readers the details). This means for about 12 days a month, I tend to struggle with low energy, depression, and anxiety. The summer after graduating from college, I think I experienced stress relief for the first time in my life. I finally had the capacity to rest well, the motivation to eat more fruits and vegetables, and the drive to move my body. I thought “I have to help other women feel better too.” I decided to pursue the nutrition training I needed and after becoming a Certified Health Coach, I opened my own business. Running this business with my history of mental health challenges means working hard at self-care rhythms. But I can be grateful for the struggles I’ve faced because managing them well requires me to live out the mission statement of Nourished!
Nourished! – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I created Nourished! to equip women and families with the tools they need to live out their intentions in health so they can show up to life with vibrancy. This is the vision that drives the services I offer. Health coaching is what I first received training in and remains a passion of mine. Coaching partnerships consist of 1×1 sessions between myself and women who want to work on a specific area of health, be it identifying food sensitivities, releasing excess weight, or establishing healthy mindsets around food. My podcast, We Feel Super Nourished! is a weekly pep talk that airs every Friday. There, my cohosts and I celebrate women’s unique lifestyle diets, banishing the notion that there is a one-size-fits-all nutrition approach. I also offer an in-home meal prep service to local clients (LA and Orange Counties) who need the practical support of getting a healthy meal on the table.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
As a woman of faith, success means my business nourishes more than bodies. To me, praying for my clients is just as important as sending out my newsletters on time. I also feel success means enjoying the life I work so hard to create. I don’t currently have thousands of followers or make a six-figure salary… not because I don’t want those things if they’re good for me one day, but because I value balance and time with my community more than a specific number goal. It also doesn’t hurt to have successful role models. While I have plenty of those to choose from, I’ll mention Julia Child. Through the work she gifted our world before passing, she taught me so much about good food, confidence, and love.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ifeelsupernourished.com
- Email: https://www.ifeelsupernourished.com/contact.html
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifeelsupernourished/
- Other: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/we-feel-super-nourished/id1332153172?mt=2
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