My Story

Hi, I’m Colleen

I'm a certified plant‑based coach who came to this work the long, messy, very human way.

When I was eight years old, my father died of a heart attack at 44. My grandfather had also died young, when my mother was a child. Heart disease runs rampant through both sides of my family and, for most of my life, I assumed it was my destiny too.

I grew up loving the Standard American Diet. BBQ potato chips were my jam. I was an all-you-can-eat buffet connoisseur, and I loved fast food and eating out. At home, Hamburger Helper and frozen chicken nuggets were the only things I knew how to "make." That way of eating was my comfort, my routine, my normal.

Even when I made changes that helped me lose some weight earlier in adulthood, I still didn’t believe I was someone who could truly live a healthy lifestyle. I didn’t think it was possible for me. I thought I lacked the discipline, the willpower, the “healthy person” identity. Every time I tried a diet or program that didn’t stick, it just reinforced the belief that I wasn’t cut out for this — that I was someone who would always struggle with food and health.

During the pandemic, as I sat around eating ice cream sundaes and started gaining weight again, I took a hard look at my future and decided to make changes.

I didn’t overhaul my life overnight. I didn’t go vegan in a week or throw out my pantry. I started with tiny, doable, plant‑forward shifts — nothing extreme, nothing perfect. I learned to cook. I learned to make it easy. And over time, my cholesterol, blood sugar, weight and overall heart‑health markers normalized. I felt better in my body than I had in decades, and for the first time, I felt hopeful for a vibrant future.

Along the way, I learned something that changed everything: people don’t transform because they force themselves to be disciplined. They transform when they begin to see themselves differently. When I shifted from “I’m someone who tries to be healthy” to “I’m someone who loves herself and takes care of herself,” my habits finally had a place to land.

That identity shift — not willpower — became the backbone of my coaching philosophy.

Now I help others build habits that feel sustainable, nourishing, and grounded in real life. Whether you’re plant‑curious or ready to go all‑in, whether you’re navigating heart concerns or just want to feel better in your body, I’ll meet you exactly where you are. Together, we’ll create a way of eating that supports your health, your lifestyle, and your joy.

No shame. No starvation. No vegan righteousness. Just real food, real support, and real change — with warmth, humor, and emotional safety at the center.