When Laura went to college, she didn’t know what she wanted to do for a living. In her freshman year a career counselor asked her what her interests were. Based on her response, the counselor suggested she look into degrees in nutrition, psychology, and advertising. She took an intro class for each one and decided that advertising was her best path since she wasn’t too fond of math and science at the time.

Laura proceeded to work in advertising for 15 years before realizing it was coming at a cost emotionally, and at times physically. That’s when she realized she wanted to do something in the health and wellness space and discovered health coaching. Through the years, Laura struggled with her weight, body image and relationship with food, paving the path for the work she does today. Having yo-yo dieted since the age of 12, being diagnosed with thyroid cancer at 26, and high cholesterol in her mid-20’s, health and wellness became more front and center for her.

When she learned about health coaching in 2013, it was a no brainer, and she got her certification as a health coach from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. At the same time, she was introduced to another health coach and learned about her program and process, Truce with Food. Even though Laura had lost 60-pounds and had been maintaining her weight for years, her relationship with food was still strained.

Once she learned about the Truce with Food process and started going through it herself, things really shifted. When she realized how much being bullied in middle school and high school was still impacting her and her eating, it was a game changer. Apparently, the career counselor knew something Laura didn’t. Her approach to health coaching pretty much marries psychology, nutrition, and advertising into one. She is now a certified Truce with Food facilitator and supports her clients to see how their past can still be impacting them today, including ways they are trying to protect themselves that may no longer be serving them.

Laura looks at how depression, anxiety and inconsistency are valuable and insightful symptoms that life choices aren’t in alignment with their values. Looking at “bad” habits (eating out of alignment with goals, drinking more than we’d like, biting nails, mindless shopping, etc.) as symptoms that a person’s sense of belonging is at threat in some way can really shift many aspects of life. Ultimately, through their work together Laura’s clients end up feeling more fulfilled and satiated in various areas of their lives (e.g., career, relationships, around food, etc). 

Outside of work, Laura lives in Chicago and is married to an Aussie. They have an 18-year-old cat who is spoiled rotten. Laura loves traveling, going on different adventures and experiencing different cultures. She has been fortunate to travel to 6 continents and 34 countries but has an endless list of places she still wants to visit. She loves to start her day with a walk and enjoys taking tap classes as another way to move her body and express herself. Laura also recently found joy in growing her own vegetables and herbs during the summer months. There’s nothing like eating fresh veggies right from the plant!