Elisa is based in Montreal, and joined BODZii because out of all the companies she’s researched, ours resonated with her the most.
Why? Elisa has modelled internationally around the world since she was 22 and tried every diet in the book. She’s gone through periods of extreme sickness with a bad diet mentality. When she figured out how to balance a healthy lifestyle, she wanted to bring the freedom it gave her to those around her.
Since then, she has coached corporate clients, including the assistant of a CEO who ended up losing 25 lbs. More importantly, she went from a negative, self-sabotaging mindset to being full of energy and loving being active.
Below is a Q&A with Elisa on her nutrition coaching style and background. If you have questions to ask her, post them in our Nutrition and Lifestyle Facebook group.
Fitness goals:
Building lean muscle and becoming stronger. She likes boxing, weight training, and is currently working on running a half marathon.
Hobbies:
Learning how to speak Spanish, play the ukulele and spending time with friends.
Nutrition coaching style:
Setting small achievable goals in all areas of wellness towards a healthy yet balanced sustainable lifestyle. Taking it one step at a time.
What clients say about her:
Positive, cheerful and very supportive.
Why she joined BODZii:
She likes being in a team and believes more brains work better together! Also, BODZii takes the most holistic nutrition coaching approach rather than only food and fitness.
Q&A
Can you describe your health journey and how that impacts the way you coach?
“The first time I was ever called fat was when I flew to Korea on a modelling contract. It was shocking to hear and it did something to my brain. I understood right then and there how girls can get easily influenced by this and make the wrong decisions, trying to lose weight as fast as possible.
At the time, I lived with ten other girls ages 17-25 and everyone had that unhealthy diet mindset. When I decided to find another route which was to find balance in my lifestyle (nutrition, fitness, sleep, self-love), I started feeling more energized, stronger, happier and I finally started seeing physical results. I wanted to share those results with the other girls, and that experience has really spoken to me.
When I got back in Canada in 2018, I started working with corporate wellness companies. My first client was 56 years old, who didn’t really want to trust me, a 25 year old. She was one of my toughest but most rewarding clients, and she’s seen success not just in losing 25 lbs but by changing her mindset. My goal is to make my clients feel comfortable, connected and develop a friendship with them. We are still friends today.”
What is your coaching strategy and process for dealing with challenges?
“I prefer to help people figure out their own answers. The first few check-ins, we are focused on creating a solid habit of eating whole foods, getting rid of processed foods and sticking to macros. Later on we get into more details but I think creating habits with the basics comes first. My goal is to create a healthy, sustainable lifestyle that will stick with them for the rest of their lives.
The biggest challenge I see is people get discouraged fast. Everyone is stuck in that fast track mindset, and gets discouraged after a couple weeks of work. It is work. You might expect huge results right away, but there are times when you take a slower route, you are still making progress.
It is important for me to check in with my clients more than once a week as I need them to feel that support and for them to feel like they’re not alone in this process. We take it one step at a time, starting with small achievable goals.”
What are some of your favourite memories coaching?
“Helping people get into the right place in their head. There are immediate results that come from changing your mindset. One of my clients Gaby completely changed her life from eating processed foods and no physical activity to now running almost 10k twice a week. Now she’s teaching what she learned from me to her sister, who has an eating disorder.
She’s become an inspiration to others, and me being the fuel for that is a great feeling. My goal is for my clients to spread what they learn. I don’t expect them to be with me forever, I want them to move on and inspire others.”
What would you say to someone starting out in nutrition coaching?
“I know how overwhelming and big the process seems at the beginning. The biggest thing with coaching is you won’t go through it alone. Next, it’s reducing the mountain and focusing on one thing at a time.
Everyone is different, but if you are open to changing your mindset and habits, you will feel different relatively fast. If not physically, then mentally. It’s a journey, so enjoy every minute of it. Don’t expect it to be only uphill.”
If you want a sense of what nutrition coaching is like, try our 28 Day Fall Body Care Challenge! Elisa's code for 10% off is ELISA. Join early for exclusive, before the challenge prep.
