Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Training

Embrace a bio-individualized approach to health and wellness.

I am certified as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition based in New York City, where I learned innovative coaching methods, practical lifestyle management techniques, and gained an understanding of various dietary theories – gluten-free, paleo, raw, vegan, macrobiotics, Ayurveda and everything in between. I specialize in Holistic Health which considers how your overall lifestyle impacts your health and well-being.

Through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, I learned from some of the world's top health and wellness experts.

I learned from top health and wellness experts in North America.
Their teachings have transformed my relationship with food and renewed my connection with the earth.

  • Joshua Rosenthal, founder of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition
  • Walter Willett, MD, DrPH, chair of nutrition at Harvard University
  • Andrew Weil, MD, director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine
  • Gabrielle Bernstein, bestselling author and life coach
  • Susan Blum, MD, MPH, assistant clinical professor at Mount Sinai School of Medicine
  • Mark Hyman, MD, founder of The UltraWellness Center
  • Geneen Roth, bestselling author and expert on emotional eating
  • David Wolfe, raw food leader and nutrition expert
  • Marion Nestle, PhD, MPH, professor at New York University’s Department of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health
  • Mark Bittman, food writer for The New York Times and bestselling author
  • Joel Fuhrman, MD, family physician and leading expert on nutritional healing

What is an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach exactly?

How is an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach different from a Nutritionist or Registered Dietician?

An Integrative Nutrition Health Coach takes a holistic approach to health providing a safe and supportive space for clients to explore all areas of life affecting well-being including but not limited to nutrition. A Health Coach does not prescribe medications, protocols, or specific diets but can guide you to make healthier lifestyle and food choices based on your unique goals.

A Nutritionist primarily focuses on dietary aspects of well-being and helps clients understand how food and supplements are digested and assimilated in the body. Nutritionists create specific nutrition-based guidelines for clients to achieve specific health goals, but they do not coach or help with goal setting or lifestyle change.

A Registered Dietician (RD), however, focuses on diagnosing and treating nutrition-related illnesses and is licensed to prescribe food and nutrition protocols, supplementation, and specific diets. RDs often work with clients who suffer from serious medical conditions whose symptoms can be managed or improved with diet.

What is an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach trained to do?

As an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, I am trained in guiding behavior change, goal setting, and accountability-based coaching strategies to help you explore areas needing improvement. I work with you to make incremental and sustainable changes to your overall health and teach you the power of primary and secondary food.

Integrative Nutrition Health Coaches are trained to empower you to learn what makes you feel nourished and rejuvenated. I guide you toward sustainable diet and lifestyle changes by equipping you with the mental and emotional tools to achieve great health such as finding the right foods and lifestyle practices that work for you.  

An Integrative Nutrition Health Coach is instrumental in making life and health transformations due to the ongoing support involved in breaking old habits, aligning your life toward new wellness goals, changing behavior, and making consistent progress. 

Our approach to Integrative Nutrition Health Coaching takes a bio-individualized approach not a one-size-fits-all approach. Coaching is tailored to each individual’s unique needs and aspirations.

Here's where my social impact values and professional skills meet, so that I can serve you better.

Here's a snap shot of my journey toward health and wellness.

My career was focused on Brand Management and Marketing Strategy before I aligned my life toward health and wellness due to my own health challenges. From then, I dedicated my work to empowering women to live more fully. I got started coaching in Shanghai where I coached Chinese working professionals to rebrand themselves and reposition their strengths for managerial roles at multinational companies. From there I knew that coaching would become an integral part of my business. Here’s a snapshot of my professional certifications and an overview of my career as I made my way toward building a purpose-driven health and wellness business.

Professional Certifications

  • 2023 U.S National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach NBC-HWC
  • 2023 CDC  National Diabetes Prevention Lifestyle Change Program Training
  • 2022 Certification in Integrative Nutrition Health Coach Training IIN-HC
  • 2021 Diploma in Neurolinguistic Programming Coaching Foundations NLP
  • 2019 Diploma in Aromatherapy and Plant Essential Oils
  • 2016 Masters in Business Administration MBA
  • 2014 Masters in International Marketing  MS
  • 2010 Bachelors in Business Administration BBA

Professional Career Experience

  • 2022 - Present: Integrative Nutrition Health Coach at Healed and Nourished, an online health coaching service.
  • 2017 - 2022: 7 years of Educator, Consultant, and Coaching Experience in the education, wellness, and coaching industry in Shanghai for New Oriental Education, Doterra, Growing Tree, Ngui Business Consulting.
  • 2015 - 2018: 3 years of Social Entrepreneurship Experience in clean tech, sustainable farming, rural education, and rural transport industry.
    Shanghai, Hunan, Mumbai, and Kenya for GAMS, Rainbow of Hope, Mumbai Smiles, Mandala Group, and Buu Pass.
  • 2004 - 2015: 12 years of Corporate Experience in the financial and consumer goods industry.
    LATAM + Caribbean for CLICO, L’Oreal, Maybelline, Garnier, Angostura.

Apply to work with Mel.

The first step in the coaching process is knowing whether we are the right fit for your specific health goals and Mel's skillset and specializations.  Complete our health form and Mel will be in touch for your initial consultation. Clients are accepted on a rolling case-by-case basis.

APPLY TO WORK WITH HEALTH COACH MEL

*Disclaimer: Clients who suffer from critical illnesses or are on prescription medication should speak to their doctor before starting health coaching.