Nourish &

I'm Olivia, lover of all things fitness, fashion, and real food. I'm passionate about sharing my love of the three F's (food, fashion, fitness) to people wanting to change their lives for the better.

 

But how did I get here?

 

My Story 

 

I grew up on a farm in small town Nebraska. I was a tall, overweight, awkward kid throughout most of my grade school years until junior high track began. I was forced to run and actually exercise. That started me on my fitness and nutrition journey, and I haven't looked back since. I won't say it was all fun and games, though. I hit some rough spots along the way, developing an eating disorder that basically took two of my high school years away from me.

 

But I emerged on the other side stronger and ready to face the world.

 

After graduating high school, I headed off to the capital city of Lincoln to attend the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. My major? Textiles, Clothing, and Apparel design with a Business minor. I got my love of fashion from my mother and, at the time, it seemed natural for me to follow in her footsteps and repeat her program of study.

 

However, there was just one small problem.

 

I never had the dreams to become a big-name fashion designer. When I realized this, I took a hard look at my future career path and decided to make some changes. This is where Paleo came in to my life. I had always been a cardio junkie and a low-fat eating girl (that IS the way to health, right???), but reading and researching the Paleo lifestyle made me realize that I was completely wrong. I came to the realization that real food, accompanied by proper movement and exercise, was the way to health. 

 

I realized that all the nutrition and fitness information I had been given was completely false.

 

Soon afterwards, I started attending group fitness classes at the rec center instead of logging my daily 6+ miles on the treadmill. I saw changes in my body that I liked from incorporating strength movements into my fitness routine. I wasn't so pale and sickly looking anymore. I finally looked healthy for the first time since before my eating disorder. In addition, group fitness classes introduced me to some amazing new friends who inspired me to set new goals for myself that weren't focused on being the smallest person in the room. Rather, I wanted to be one of the strongest.

 

My only regret is that I didn't start the group fitness classes sooner.

 

So, that's where my story is currently at: I graduated from UNL with my Bachelor’s degree in December 2015. I passed my group fitness instructor exam in November 2015 and officially became a Certified Group Fitness Instructor. This spring, I’m working as the Group Fitness Manager at UNL and teaching three group fitness classes per week. I'm also planning on taking my Personal Training exam in April or May 2016.

 

Furthermore, also in November 2015, I started the Holistic Health Coaching Program through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. This program focuses on how our nutrition, relationships, career, spirituality, and physical activity combine to make our overall lives healthy. I will finish this program in November 2016.

 

Excited doesn't even begin to cover how anxious I am to start this program and new journey in my life!

 

So follow me along on my new path - I hope my journey into the holistic nutrition and fitness world will be an inspiration for anyone looking to transform his or her health. 

 

The Quick Facts

• My mom is my best friend.

• I attended a small Catholic grade school and high school and graduated with a class of 15.

• I'm love love love cats. No dogs allowed (sorry not sorry).

• My favorite vegetable is kale. I eat it daily. Sautéed with garlic, salt, pepper, and cayenne, this kale is addicting!

• I love burpees of all kinds: 180 degree burpees, plank jack burpees, lateral burpees, broad jump burpees. You name a variation and I'll try it!

• I have worked at a small bridal store as a buyer of merchandise and manager for over four years. It was the same bridal store that my mother worked at for 20 years. And even though I've moved on in my career, I will always have a place in my heart for that store.

• I have a hard time relaxing and always like to be doing things; however, a good massage is my go-to when I need some down time.

• I've been sewing since the age of 8. Even though I had a seamstress for a mother, I had to teach myself to sew because she worked a lot when I was growing up. I would sew a project while she was at work, and when she got home, she would tell me what I did wrong and show me how to fix it.

 

Questions? Comments? Concerns? Criticisms? 

 

Send me an email with your story - I'd love to hear it!