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Meet Trailblazer Kirsten Miller

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Kirsten Miller.

Kirsten, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was an athlete growing up and enjoyed staying active, but my home was filled with sugar-rich food from a bag or box. That left me with some extra pounds (big-boned they said) and a face peppered with pimples. As I grew older, I became more aware of how food affected my body. Nutrition research was a hobby for me but my financial situation did not allow me to quit my job to pursue a nutrition degree. I was also doing endurance sports (marathons and triathlons up to the Ironman distance) and knew that standard nutrition guidance for athletes was not serving me well, as it leads to GI distress during long races. I was told that GI distress was common during long races but I thought to myself, just because it’s common does not mean it’s normal. After I had my son, I had the opportunity to go back to school and gain a deeper understanding of the science behind nutrition. I knew that the processed food I ate earlier in life did not serve me well, but why? I loved the opportunity to learn more about nutrition and how using real food has such a positive impact on health and performance. Once I completed the Nutrition Therapist Master Certification Program, I was ready to help others optimize health with food and lifestyle changes. My master’s research topic was Fat Adapted Fueling for Endurance Athletes so that was an area of focus. I now work with many athletes, elite to beginner and use my metabolic testing to customize nutrition plans. I also work with people that do not consider themselves athletes, as my expertise includes hormonal balance, weight loss and gut health.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been easy at times. When I first started school, I looked at a traditional nutrition program so that I could become a registered dietitian, but I felt that the curriculum was not a good fit for me. I understood that this would not allow me to become licensed in Colorado but I could become Board Certified by the National Association of Nutrition Professionals. That led me to an accredited holistic nutrition education that was heavily based on science. Since I am not licensed I cannot work in some of the traditional dietitian jobs (schools, hospitals, etc.) but my main desire was to work with people on an individual basis since nutrition varies so much from one person to the next. My best option was to establish my own company, which was scary for me as I’ve never considered myself an entrepreneur. I took the leap and was fortunate to have clients quickly seek out my services. I’m overly busy at times and less busy at other times, which can be worrisome. There is always the stress of wearing multiple hats with a personal business but it allows me the flexibility to be available for my son. I’m not making nearly as much money as I did in my 20+ year corporate career but I love seeing how my work directly impacts my clients in such a positive way. For young women starting out, I recommend doing a lot of research on career paths, understanding what’s possible and earning potential. I could not pursue my nutrition business when I was younger because I needed a more stable income but it was always my passion. Thankfully, I was able to pursue my passion and, even if it’s a second career, you can pursue your passion, too!

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Nourish2Flourish, Inc. – what should we know?
I’m a Board Certified Nutritionist and founder of Nourish2Flourish, Inc. I’m mainly known for working with endurance athletes, but that is just one scope of my practice. I have developed the Fat Adapted Fueling program that helps endurance athletes improve their ability to burn fat, as well as carbohydrates. With better fat burning, less carbohydrates are needed during the race, which minimizes the potential for GI distress, inflammation and metabolic damage. I have personal experience as an endurance athlete but have also dealt with hormonal and GI issues so those are other areas in which I specialize. I have helped many women more comfortably ride the rollercoaster of hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause. I also believe it’s important to look deeper into the root cause of health issues. This may involve other lab tests, such as stool tests, organic acid tests or urinary hormone tests. My goal is to educate my clients so that they can choose the right foods for them. Many clients love that I take the time to explain how the body works before recommending nutrition or lifestyle changes.

Which women have inspired you in your life?
It may seem cliché but I have to thank my mom for helping me to be who I am today. She always believed in me and told me I could do anything and be whoever I wanted to be. As a child, she took me to the library and we checked out “I Want to be a Lawyer” and “I Want to be a Doctor.” She wanted me to know that I was not limited to any career simply because I’m a woman. She instilled the confidence in me to follow my instincts and not follow the crowd if it doesn’t feel right. I lost her when I was 26 but she is still with me every single day.

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Image Credit:
Hillary Wheat Photography

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