Leigh's Story
I'd say I kind of fell into nutrition. It wasn't really a choice for me, it just kinda happened.
I went to Iowa State University on a track scholarship (high jump), and I honestly had no idea what I wanted to study. Both of my parents had business degrees, so I defaulted to a pre-business major.
I'm an Integrative and Functional Nutritionist (technically a Registered Dietitian) at an Integrative Medicine Clinic, I teach cooking classes, I consult with local business owners who understand that when employees and customers are healthy, their business thrives, and I also love sharing information and inspiration on Instagram.
As a private practice nutritionist, I make personalized nutrition programs for people like you: wanting to improve health, maximize wellness, and generally feel better. We get to know each other well so that our plan prioritizes the things most important to you. You tell me your goals and we collaborate to make the best plan. My clients are people who are challenged by:
- Fatigue
- Pain
- Digestive problems
- Poor sleep
- Weight issues
- Bad relationships with food
- Thyroid problems
- Autoimmune issues
- Other Chronic Diseases
I love teaching cooking classes because I get to share all my lazy shortcuts! Even though I love eating healthy, I don't always love being in the kitchen for hours on end.... unless, however, I'm cooking with my family (we know how to cook). You know that family at the holidays with 10 people crowded in the kitchen making a meal? That's us.
In addition to nutrition counseling and cooking classes, I teach graduate-level nutrition classes at the University of Kansas Medical Center. I teach "Introduction to Dietetics and Integrative Medicine" and also "Nutritional Approaches for Inflammation and Immune Regulation."
Last spring I earned a PhD in Medical Nutrition Science. My research focused on integrative medicine interventions for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). During my PhD program, I also on nutritional aspects of patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (early stages of hypothyroidism). This topic speaks to me because so many friends, family and strangers (after they know I'm a nutritionist) tell me they have thyroid problems.
My husband, Rob, and I love walking my dog, Jake Reno (yes, he has a first and last name). I also enjoy yoga (find "Yoga with Adriene" on YouTube, you won't be sorry), listening to leadership and self-improvement podcasts, reading Seth Godin's blog, and listening to my ever-growing list of audio books.