I'm Olivia, lover of all things fitness, fashion, and real food. I'm passionate about sharing my love of real, whole food and helping people transform their lives through holistic health methods.
But how did I get here?
My Story
I grew up on a farm in small town Nebraska. I was a tall, overweight, awkward kid throughout most of my grade school years until junior high track began. I was forced to run and actually exercise. That started me on my fitness and nutrition journey, and I haven't looked back since. I won't say it was all fun and games, though. I hit some rough spots along the way, developing an eating disorder that basically took two of my high school years away from me.
But I emerged on the other side stronger and ready to face the world.
After graduating high school, I headed off to the capital city of Lincoln to attend the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. My major? Textiles, Clothing, and Apparel design with a Business minor. I got my love of fashion from my mother and, at the time, it seemed natural for me to follow in her footsteps and repeat her program of study.
However, there was just one small problem.
I never had the dreams to become a big-name fashion designer. When I realized this, I took a hard look at my future career path and decided to make some changes. This is where Paleo came in to my life. I had always been a cardio junkie and a low-fat eating girl (that IS the way to health, right???), but reading and researching the Paleo lifestyle made me realize that I was completely wrong. I came to the realization that real food, accompanied by proper movement and exercise, was the way to health.
I realized that all the nutrition and fitness information I had been given was completely false.
Soon afterwards, I started attending group fitness classes at the rec center instead of logging my daily 6+ miles on the treadmill. I saw changes in my body that I liked from incorporating strength movements into my fitness routine. I wasn't so pale and sickly looking anymore. I finally looked healthy for the first time since before my eating disorder. In addition, group fitness classes introduced me to some amazing new friends who inspired me to set new goals for myself that weren't focused on being the smallest person in the room. Rather, I wanted to be one of the strongest.
My only regret is that I didn't start the group fitness classes sooner.
So, that's where my real journey began. I graduated from UNL with my Bachelor’s degree in December 2015. I passed my group fitness instructor exam in November 2015 and officially became a Certified Group Fitness Instructor. That spring, I worked as the Group Fitness Manager at UNL and taught three group fitness classes per week. I attained my personal training certification, and starting working as a personal trainer in June of 2016 at Prairie Life Fitness in Lincoln, NE, where I was there for over 3 years. I then spent a year at Synergy Chiropractic studying exercise rehab before ending up at Valiant Fitness, a studio gym in Lincoln, NE, where I spent 2.5 years.
Furthermore, also in November 2015, I started the Holistic Health Coaching Program through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. This program focused on how our nutrition, relationships, career, spirituality, and physical activity combine to make our overall lives healthy. I completed the program in November of 2016, and now am working with clients on a one-on-one basis for both personal training and health coaching.
In addition, in February 2018, I began the Nutritional Therapy Practitioner program to deepen my knowledge of nutrition, and how it can work to heal the body through digestion, blood sugar regulation, fatty acid balance, hydration, hormone health, and so much more! Obviously my love of learning continues to keep me moving forward!
Right before graduating as an NTP, I started a program through Restorative Wellness Solutions that has now opened up my business to include the ability to order tests including stool, food sensitivity, adrenal, and hormonal tests. It has only served to help deepen my "root cause" approach to health.
As if that wasn’t enough, I recently began PA school at Des Moines University with a graduation timeline of 2025. I hope to work in women’s hormones upon graduation. I’m excited to share my love of holistic health with those who need it in the medical world!
