Meet Our Director

First and foremost, what I want you to know about me is that I am equally both a mom of two amazing boys, 20 and 17, and a Registered Dietitian & Health Coach.  These are both my passions and my life callings. As a health coach, I absolutely LOVE what I do. However, I wasn’t always in the healthy shape I am in now. I actually worked as a commercial interior designer in the late 80’s - early 90’s and had no working knowledge of nutrition at all.

My passion for health and wellness began in 1988 when I was training for my first bodybuilding competition. I was told that a bodybuilder’s diet basically consisted of only a few bland items:  plain oatmeal, plain chicken breast, plain white rice, and steamed broccoli.  I thought to myself “Well that’s blah…” and “Wait, why can’t I eat my favorite cereal and milk? Why can’t I eat bananas and watermelon? What about having some chips or pizza once in a while?” Something told me this can’t be right. I decided to do my own research on how to feed the body; but not just feed it - NOURISH it, so that it can be sculpted into the fit, healthy body I was trying to achieve, inside and out.

That was the turning point for me, and I never looked back. I became obsessed with learning how the body works, and how to nourish it and keep it healthy - through making lifestyle changes – not dieting. I completed both the bachelor’s and master’s education programs in Clinical Nutrition with an emphasis in Sports Nutrition and Exercise Physiology at California State University Long Beach. I obtained my Registered Dietitian status after completing my internship at Loma Linda University in 2000 and I’ve been working as a health coach and dietitian ever since.

I also had the wonderful opportunity to work at UCI in their Weight Management program for almost 10 years, from 2010-2019, and helped hundreds of people of all ages lose weight and get healthier. In August of 2019 I left UCI and started my h.e.a.r.t.s  Lifestyle Program.

I am 60 years old and have never felt better in my life. The energy and positivity I have in being at my healthy weight and living in my healthy body is a gift I have given myself and something I cherish every day, and I want to give that same gift to you. That is why I have started this program – for you - and it is something I am committed to working on continually for the rest of my life.

People often ask me “How do you stay on track and not give in to all the temptations around you?". The answer comes to mind instantly every time - it’s because I feel GREAT in the body I am in now and I don’t want to lose that. I am tempted with indulgences every day – I love the taste of a juicy burger, and pizza, and ice cream, just like everyone else. The success comes from learning how to enjoy many other more nutritious foods that I choose to eat most of the time, and allow myself small indulgences every once in a while – not as the main staples of my diet. And those who know me know that I DO eat burgers, and pizza, and ice cream every once in a while!

Health and wellness have become my life’s passion, and helping others achieve the healthy bodies they desire and to feel as great as I do is the greatest reward for me as a dietitian and health coach. I believe in walking the talk – and I do just that. I believe without a doubt that EVERYONE can achieve a healthy body they will feel great in. It just takes having the right coach and being coached on the right behaviors to get you there.

I am truly looking forward to working with you!