My Life as an Eating Psychology Coach: Melissa Story

What made you want to become an Eating Psychology Coach?

I wanted to become an Eating Psychology Coach because it was time for me to stop hiding in shame from the suffering that I had been through with my own disordered eating, and instead step into the light and start helping others who were currently suffering.

What do you love about being an Eating Psychology Coach?

What I love most about being an Eating Psychology Coach is witnessing the sense of relief my clients have when they realize that there is hope for lasting change! I had a client who had been dieting since she was 8 years old­­. She would lose weight and then gain it back repeatedly,­­ nothing was sustainable for her. She tried every single diet out there. Once she was open and ready to accept that her struggle with food wasn’t only about food, but that it was a symptom of something deeper that needed her attention and love, she was well on her way to healing.

What does your practice look like?

I see teens, women and men who are ready for a different approach to weight loss and body image. We meet in person, over Skype, or on the phone. I accommodate my clients who need extra attention during evenings, weekends and holidays as well­­. I want to be there for them to help keep them motivated, centered, and supported as they begin to adopt new habits and ways of eating and thinking.

How did your education at the Institute prepare you to work successfully with clients?

The education that I received from the Institute for the Psychology of Eating has given me the confidence to guide people from all walks of life through their struggles with food and body. Not only did the training I receive prepare me to work with all types of disordered eating, it helped me create a professional and successful business!

What was your favorite aspect of the Training?

My favorite aspect of the Training, aside from the amazing and healing content, was the relationships that I made through the Facebook group! This came as a complete surprise, as I didn’t think an online community could be so supportive and caring. We would share our stories and experiences as we moved through the Training, and even created small groups for those of us who had special interests. The wealth of information that I received from others’ experiences and resources was incredibly helpful to me as I didn’t have a professional background in nutrition or psychology. I still keep in touch with several people from my class who reside all over the world!

How has being an Eating Psychology Coach impacted your professional life/financial well-being?

Being an Eating Psychology Coach has given me a professional career and a Life purpose! I have built my business to a place where I am financially able to solely work for myself. I am doing something that I am truly passionate about everyday, and I’m my own boss. Does it get any better than that?!

How has being an Eating Psychology Coach impacted you personally?

On a personal level, being an Eating Psychology Coach has given me the tools to heal my own relationship with food, which was something I never thought could happen. I am committed to the Institute for the Psychology of Eating’s mission to teach others that there is a different approach to healing their relationship with food. It’s not just another diet to try, ­­instead, it’s about being open to uncovering the reasons why we view food as we do.

What do you see for yourself in your future as an Eating Psychology Coach – where is your work evolving toward?

As I evolve in my career, I hope to work with more of the teen­age population that I easily relate to, since that is when my own disordered eating began. I would also like to lead more workshops and small groups. I love bringing techniques into my coaching like EFT, meditation, and fitness.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I would recommend the Training to anyone with a passion for helping others. You don’t need to be a psychologist or a nutritionist to do this work; ­­all you need is LOVE!

NAME: Melissa Story
BUSINESS: Body Love Now.
WEBSITE: bodylovenow.com
BIO:  Melissa Story is a Certified Eating Psychology Coach, a Certified Spinning Instructor, and Spirit Junkie who believes that our deepest struggles can become our biggest strengths. Drawing from her own personal experience with disordered eating and a lifelong passion for nutrition, Melissa helps to navigate people through their own struggles with food and body. She also loves to help motivate people to find sustainable practices in meditation and exercise. Melissa specializes in helping people who are in recovery from substance abuse to find serenity in their eating habits. When Melissa isn’t coaching, she is volunteering, walking her dog, baking, reading, meditating, dancing, or spending time with her husband and three kids..