I know that feeling.
Because I’ve lived it.
I didn’t always understand how to support my body either. It wasn't until I was forced to stop, take an honest look at where I was and where I was headed, that I found my way back to feeling grounded, strong and well.
In my early years as a professional ballet dancer, I learned to treat food as something to manage, not something to nourish me. Calories were the only metric that seemed to matter. I just didn't know better.
Later in life, as I jumped into building my corporate career, working with companies like adidas, Amazon and Razorfish, I threw myself into the pace and identity built around peak performance. It was exciting, exhausting and often consuming.
At the same time, I was raising young kids, constantly in triage mode, moving from one thing to the next and running on fumes.
I was slogging through my weeks trying to get everything done for everyone else.
I kept saying "I'll take care of myself better when things slow down," but it just never happened.
Hitting the Wall
At 44, everything caught up with me. My reserves had been depleted and my body was no longer able to compensate. Along the way, perimenopause had silently changed the rules.
I was continuously exhausted, gaining unexpected weight and sleeping but never waking restored. My first thought getting out of bed in the mornings was "Ugh, I feel like I"m 80."
On top of that, my patience was razor-thin and motivation was non-existent.
Failed Fixes
So I did what I had always done: Tried to push through.
Eating less, working out more and staying disciplined.
But even with consistency, nothing was working like it used to. My body felt unpredictable and eerily unfamiliar. It didn't make any sense.
Like most women, I turned to the internet. Surely, someone had this all figured out, right?!
What I found was plenty of information, health hacks and "experts" offering a variety of fixes. So I tried layering on different approaches, adding supplements and following protocols to the letter. It felt like another full-time job but, in reality, I was only chasing shiny objects and a lot of false claims.
At one point, I was spending close to a thousand dollars a month on supplements and co-pays…still not seeing or feeling any real progress.
I was about ready to give up.
Finding the Path Forward
Turns out, more information and recommendations weren't what I needed. Not without personal context. It just made me more frustrated.
As a last-ditch effort, I contacted a nutrition and wellness practitioner. I was hopeful yet kept my expectations low. However, the experience was far different than I'd imagined. It was personal by design.
She stepped back, looked at the full picture, and helped me understand:
- Why what I'd been doing wasn’t working
- What my body actually needed & the science behind it
- What to prioritize first to get results
Finally, I wasn't guessing. I had a clear path forward, built around my body and my life and I didn’t have to figure it out alone.
A partner was there for guidance, support and accountability.
Lasting Change
Because it was a plan designed around me, I finally began eating and exercising in a way that truly fueled my body. Things changed.
Sleep came first. Real, restorative sleep.
Followed by increased energy and clarity.
Then the reactivity that had taken over my days began to soften. Patience returned.
Some changes came faster than others, but progress was steady, noticeable, and this time it held.
For the first time in years, I felt strong, nourished and clear.
The impact on my life inspired me to make this my work, so I can help others do the same.
Personal Approach
My experience wasn’t unique. I hear it from women I talk to every day. Strong women who are paying attention, trying hard and doing their best to juggle life, but feeling stuck and overwhelmed.
What's usually missing? Someone to provide a clear way to understand their body, to uncover what’s behind their symptoms and design a plan for whole-body health built around them. That's where I can help.
This is the approach I guide my clients through:
We begin by understanding what’s actually going on in your body and why.
Then we prioritize what matters most, so you’re not changing everything at once.
From there, your plan evolves based on how your body responds.
You begin to feel like you. Positive, lasting change is closer than you think.
If this story sounds like yours... the pushing, the trying,
the quiet exhaustion that never quite lifts... let's talk.
No pressure. Just an honest conversation about you.
Credentials
Colleen Smith, Certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP)
Education in Applied Health Coaching
Behavior change strategies to support implementation, accountability and long-term outcomes
Trauma-Informed Life Coach Training
Supporting a thoughtful, client-led approach when stress and life transitions intersect with health
Ongoing Education
Functional nutrition, hormone health and women's midlife wellness
Saine: Feminine form of the
French adjective sain, meaning
healthy, sound, & wholesome.
Describing what is
nourishing, balanced & good
for the body & mind.
Saine: Feminine form of the French adjective sain, meaning healthy, sound, & wholesome.
Describing what is nourishing, balanced & good for the body & mind.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, supplements, medications, or lifestyle.
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