
After years of thinking about it, wavering back and forth, and holding off on enrolling for far longer than I should have, I am pleased to announce that I am starting classes today with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) in their Health Coach Training Program.
I first learned about IIN from my holistic thyroid guru, Fern Olivia, a few years back. She, herself, had gone through the program and thought it would be beneficial for me as a thyroid cancer survivor and advocate. It sounded great—online classes that could be done from anywhere and at any time—and in a year, I could earn a certification to counsel clients on proper nutrition. But in reality, I never quite felt like I had the bandwidth to take this on. With 40 modules to complete in a year, and 15 hours of watching videos, taking notes, and studying for exams each week, where would I find the time for this in between working full-time, blogging, being a caregiver, and everything else that comes with adulting?
While I still can’t exactly answer how I am going to fit this in to my already packed schedule, I decided to just go for it a couple of weeks ago and enroll. I have already spent a week going through the online orientation program and found a few ways to carve out an hour every night to watch the lectures and take notes (so long, Real Housewives!).
Why did I decide to enroll in IIN? For starters, I wanted to provide myself with a better understanding of nutrition and find ways to experiment with how I can make myself feel better through food and supplements. And, secondly, I wanted to find a way to work with people who have suffered with some of the same health conditions I have—feeling tired, lethargic, or are struggling with thyroid issues. There is so much information out there about what and how to eat, and which supplements to take, that it can feel overwhelming. I’m hoping that this certification program will offer me the background I need to help myself and others make our bodies feel as good as they were designed to. In addition to taking classes through IIN, I am also working my way through Fern’s Thyroid Yoga trainings, which have provided me with a wealth of knowledge.
So, wish me luck, as I challenge myself and work through this program over the next year. And, watch out May 2020, I’m coming for you!
If you have any questions about IIN or are interested in learning more about the program, please feel free to leave a comment below.
This is wonderful news, Vanessa! I am so excited for you and can’t wait to hear more. You are amazing.
Thanks for your support, Lisa!