Hi! I’m Denise!

I'm a seasoned health coach with 12 years of experience, specializing in helping others achieve their wellness goals through simple, practical and personalized guidance. My own path to becoming a health coach was deeply personal and shaped by my experiences living with Hashimoto's disease. Through managing my condition with diet and lifestyle changes, I discovered the empowering impact of nutrition on well-being.

My passion for functional nutrition led me to study at the Functional Nutrition Alliance, where I was mentored by Andrea Nakayama, a leader in the field. After obtaining my certification as a functional nutrition counselor, I had the incredible opportunity to work alongside Andrea for four years, deepening my understanding and honing my skills.

After having my first child at almost 40, navigating postpartum depletion, and evolving as a mother, professional, and human - I’m extremely passionate about supporting new mothers.

Today I use my expertise to empower new mothers to nourish themselves so they can best nourish their families. My approach is grounded in the belief that with simple, practical guidance, the right nutrients, and space to connect to intuition, motherhood can unfold with optimal health and vitality.

I hold an advanced certification in Functional Nutrition Counseling from Andrea Nakayama, and I worked with her and the Functional Nutrition Alliance for four years. I also hold a certification in Perinatal Nutrition Education from Lindsay Taylor, MA, CNE. I earned a certificate in Holistic Health Coaching from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in New York City.

My education includes intensive studies of:

• Digestive, immune, urinary, cardiovascular, endocrine, nervous, and reproductive systems.

• Research-backed nutrition recommendations for fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum.

• Multiple dietary theories and contemporary health topics.

• Eastern and Western nutrition, with a focus on Ayurveda.

Additionally:

• Master's in Library and Information Science from the Pratt Institute

• Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts from Linfield College

• Studied astrology at the Portland School of Astrology

• Practicing Kundalini Yoga since 2012

My holistic approach integrates diverse perspectives, art, storytelling, community, and dedicated practice. I believe in making the journey interesting and keeping motivation high by fostering curiosity about your unique body.

I also have spent the last decade (plus) working with large corporations, startups, and digital agencies as a User Experience Designer and strategist. I am keen to consider how technology and human evolution intersect.

I get geeky about astrology, the chakra system, and other modes of understanding and relating to ourselves and others. I find that when we understand our unique constitution, biases and tendencies, we can use that information as a healthy foundation for growth.

If you're into that too -- then here are some of my favorite tools for self-understanding:

Astro line-up Our astrological charts offer a glimpse into that unique sliver of time when our souls started off on their journey. This offers a specific lens for perceiving the nuances of personality, character, soul goals, areas of challenge, and motivators. I love to incorporate this into my work with clients.

I’m a Libra Sun, Capricorn Moon, Aquarius Rising.

Human Design & Gene Keys Human Design is an incredibly rich method of understanding our unique makeup. It offers a map, a manual, a blueprint, that helps to guide you to live in accordance with your unique design: From the way you make decisions to the best atmosphere for digesting your food.

I’m a 5/1 Splenic Projector.

Four Tendencies Framework Created by Gretchen Rubin author of The Happiness Project, and Better Than Before - a book on making new habits stick. This framework was created while writing Better Than Before when Rubin discovered that the key to making new habits was to understand how we respond to expectations. I like to use this framework in partnership with my clients.

I’m the R E B E L!

Thanks for letting me geek out!

If you're curious...do explore for yourself!

Oh and... I live in North PDX with my partner and my daughter Juniper Blue.

I like to create with food, flowers, and herbs, and I love to sing/dance/kirtan/laugh/cry with my favorite folks.

If you like Chakras and Food check out my project: Chakra Dinner Experience for a new way to indulge in the two!