Meet Jill Anenberg Lawrence

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jill Anenberg Lawrence.

Hi Jill, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Hi, I’m Jill, and I am a third-generation health nut! Being raised by two, ahead of their time nutrition and fitness junkies, health has always coursed through my blood and DNA. It’s beyond a passion, it’s just how I live my life. I previously was in a 10-year entertainment biz affair, that didn’t always feel healthy, so I naturally transitioned into wellness as another way of sharing my love of edutainment more positively with the world.

The love for healthy living, movement, a positive outlook, and cooking was born way before I was cookin’! Let me introduce you to my Italian Grandfather, Papa B, who’s watching us from heaven eating a big ol’ bowl of pasta aglio e olio with lots of immune-boosting cayenne pepper! Papa B was the OG ‘Chopped’ creating bright and nutritious meals from what he had in his fridge, pantry, and garden of vegetables and herbs.

I’m talkin’ hearty bean soups, stir fry’s, pasta concoctions all that ignited my food obsession because I saw the easy blend of creativity, flavors (red pepper flakes and fresh garlic) and how all that nutritionally impacted our body and nourished the soul. At a young age I learned just how medicinal foods can be and the impact they had on healing and disease prevention. Papa B had it goin’ on!

I’ve studied, implemented, and been an example of health and wellness my whole life! At age 10 my tap dance troupe competed on Star Search, 4 stars baby! I ran cross country, and track and was a song leader in high school, and remained active in college. I began personal training in college! As a result of all that, I’ve been conscious of what I eat to fuel and refuel. Even after wild college nights, everyone headed back to Jill’s apartment for those late yummy, and clean eats! We danced hard and I knew everyone needed that refuel and some hydration.

By the way, I was ahead of my time with the coconut water. LOL. (Please bring this sentence to end the previous paragraph) No matter what job I had; fitness trainer, comedian, tv host, waitress, cycling studio front desk… I found myself answering nutrition questions, giving healthy alternatives to junk foods, sending recipes, coaching men and women around relationships, supportive lifestyle hacks, and even holistic remedies to improve the lives of their animals! I knew this was my calling and I enrolled in a one-year intensive comprehensive nutrition program.

I’m a holistic health coach. What’s that mean? Well, imagine if a life coach, nutritionist, and therapist had a threesome… I’m the baby they’d make! Ok, I might be addicted to education. I hold two certs as a board-certified health coach through Integrative Nutrition and Nutritious Life. I made lockdown my b*tch in 2020 and became a holistic nutritionist. I’m currently working my way through a Master Life Coach program.

Additionally, I’m an expert in toxins and chemicals in food, products, and the environment. This has made me hyper-conscious of what I purchase, consume, and suggest to clients. Eating clean and minimizing toxins makes a huge difference in performance, cognition, hormones, weight gain, disease, environmental issues which directly affect us and so much more! I am the “Swaps Queen” because I have a healthy, clean alternative for everything! Yup from soda and candy to mascara and lube!

If you saw my nightstand, you’d think I only dreamed of wellness, nutrition, and high performance. I am always reading, listening, writing, or speaking on something health related with a few silly jokes sprinkled in because you now know, I keep it real! Remember, my background is in improv, hosting, and stand-up comedy… some habits die hard with a two-drink minimum!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
This road is still being traveled because the goals keep getting bigger! So, I pack more healthy snacks for the road trip, keep fueling the car, and understand a flat tire will happen occasionally when you’re traveling to meet your dreams. I’ll be completely transparent; many tears have been shed over those damn tires. But tears contain stress hormones, so with a few minutes of release, I return pumped back up like a fresh Goodyear driving that car even stronger!

I know this all sounds like rose-colored glasses, but what’s the alternative? It could easily be stuffing down emotions that make you sick or you could end up at a Baskin Robins trying all 31 flavors! We have to stay positive even when efforts aren’t paying off. I’ve learned to trust it’s all happening for me, at the right time.

Sometimes work isn’t as busy as I’d like it to be, but then I’m able to complete a new training, organize my business even better, or hell, hop in the car with my two rescue dogs, Simon and Mila for a road trip that revives me! It’s a work in progress, I’m learning and implementing how to stay grounded, centered, trusting, and happy no matter what. All my rescue animals (there are 8 if you were wondering) help with this, they are so in the moment, content, and unconditionally loving.

There are many reasons I love what I do and keep motivated to do it. One of my main inspirations is wanting people to reach their goals quicker by learning from my hardships and growth, the time I’ve invested in learning high-performance habits and seeing them week after week improve, heal and grow. I’ve suffered from severe anemia which required two iron transfusions and a host of supplements and dietary changes. I’m a recovering people pleaser which can have such a negative impact on our health.

There’s a respectful and empowering way to speak up that saves your cortisol levels and self-respect. Properly managing anxiety and the overwhelm of life (still working on this one) isn’t accomplished with a pill but digging to the root of the sh*tty wilting flower and feeding the soil correctly for the new seeds being planted. The struggles become our strengths.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
When I was introduced during my stand-up comedy days, the emcee would say, “She’s got the face of an angel and the mouth of a sailor… Jill Anenberg! LOL. In all that I do, I bring insane empathy, kindness, heart, intuition, love, education, and real experience matched with a wicked sense of humor! Whether it’s a coaching session, corporate workshop, retreat, you name it- we have FUN!

Another area that sets me apart, I donate a portion of my time and business revenue back to animal welfare. My hubby and I foster dogs, adopt, volunteer, and advocate for all critter’s rights. A dream is to invest or donate money to a mobile spay/neuter truck since that’s one of the biggest issues with an overpopulation of animals. Hey – keep it in your pants pups!

What I do in a speed dating sentence: I offer a powerful one-on-one coaching “transformation program”, I host & guest lead events and retreats, a speaker for corporate events, write for kick-ass wellness companies, there’s tons of fun content on my YouTube page and I love creating humorous videos for brands I adore!

I’m obsessed with all things health, nutrition, and personal growth but I’d say one specialty that feels extra special, is coaching women to grow into stronger, more powerful versions of themselves. I help people who are overwhelmed and struggling with their health and happiness make healthy food choices, improve their energy levels, and easily go toxin and chemical free so they can live a B.S.-free life. Let’s live real AF!

From that place, better choices are made and a solid foundation is set. We forget that child-like joy and it’s imperative to bring back and lighten up life. When we get too serious, we easily lose the happiness and the desire to eat well, instill healthy habits and feel optimistic. I let bullshit from others affect me for years! By wanting to people please, saying yes to things I wanted to say hell no to, holding onto old stories, and making assumptions that one thing meant the worst thing instead of just calmly clarifying. Even though I was eating nutritious foods, it made me sick. Our health is SO MUCH MORE than what we eat. It’s what we say, don’t say, how we move or don’t move, who we hang out with, and moving through pain and anger quickly and healthily.

When people hear nutritionist, they assume it’s all about the food. Of course, that’s important however I know mindset, mental health, what you think and emotions are equally important in maintaining optimal health. I keep it very real with those I’m working with and share my own stories of growth and nutritious decisions because I know, vulnerability and truth are how we most honestly relate.

I am just as flavorful, raw, and organic as the best product out there! I can roll with anyone and any ingredient… well, not factory-farmed meat. Run cows, run! I coach wonderful clients to increase positivity, reignite their life mojo, and build real self-confidence, food confidence, and weight loss in a sustainable way. That also includes; improved relationships, stress reduction techniques, awareness of choices and habits, and reducing toxins and chemicals in their environments… all while providing massive accountability.

They joke that I become their new best friend. A friendship necklace is optional. Haha! But truly, we always develop a lovely bond and friendship. I strongly believe when we understand what food can do for us, either building our body up or breaking it down, we are motivated to choose wiser. I also keep it simple and basic to reduce overwhelm.

Cooking and baking do not have to be difficult or a strain, it’s one of the best things we get to do for ourselves each day. I wish we could all be transported to Papa B’s kitchen for one hell of an Italian family meal together! I know from the research that nourishing and nutritious food creates way happier people who no longer experience culinary cocaine mood swings or poison themselves with “fake food.”

Food is so powerful. It is the boss of gene expression and the largest preventative tool we’ve got. Our genes may hold the gun, but diet and lifestyle pull the trigger! YOU ARE IN CHARGE!! I coach clients to be the CEO of their bodies and life! Simple lifestyle and nutrition adjustments will shift your body into healing and thriving versus feeding the disease.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting?
A mentor and coach of mine taught me, “Your energy is your business card.” This can be applied in all areas of life. Our energy is created by all the things I’ve mentioned above and it’s the first thing people FEEL when they meet you. No matter what the endeavor, keeping your energy pure, authentic, light, loving, and vibing high will get you far in life.

Yes, certifications are important, but never negate life experience that trained you for the work you’re currently doing now. Start before you think you are ready. In my health coaching, I noticed the pattern with just about every client that a fair amount of life coaching bled into sessions. Ok, yes, I’m in the middle of getting certified but I confidently added that description to what I do now. I’ve lived through a lot!

My parents divorced when I was young and there was substantial growth in that. I’m 16 years sober and did it myself… I continually learn from my sobriety and the work I do daily to better myself. I’m a life learner… always reading books, listening, and doing inner work, and there’s so much I’ve gained volunteering with animals. I’ve had a lot of adversity I keep pushing through.

In vulnerably sharing all that, YOU TOO have your life experience that will also make you unique to your passion as well. Never hide behind what you’ve been through, instead, heal/grow and share your learned lessons and tools with others. Lastly, have a support system and accountability partners. Trust everything is working out in your favor. If you need a confidence fluffer or wellness wingman, I am always here for you!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.JillLawrenceHealth.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/jill.anenberg.lawrence/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JillAnenberg/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/jillanenberg
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/janenberg
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/jill-lawrence-health-los-angeles

Image Credits
Denice Duff