Conversations with the Inspiring Regina Topelson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Regina Topelson.

Regina, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I became interested in nutrition as a result of my son being born with food allergies and all the trouble we had getting him diagnosed properly. I pursued a career as a registered dietitian so I could help others struggling with food allergies. For many years, I helped with organizing the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) Food Allergy Walk.

Little did I know, that several years later, I would use my knowledge to save my own life. I was a young professional with a family and a vibrant community of friends. And… I had been diagnosed with cancer. Compared to that, food allergies seemed like a walk in the park! We tend to take things for granted when they are not life-threatening. Our health is one of those things. We think about what’s for dinner and how much work we have. For me, my health took center stage and life came to a screeching halt! I had to stop and re-evaluate the way I was living.

After working as a clinical dietitian in the intensive care unit of a hospital for three years, I realized there is so much more I could do with my knowledge. I want to help people regain their health before they need to step foot in a hospital. It is for this reason I restarted my private practice. To me, a life well-lived means taking what life gives you, keeping what you want, and letting go of the rest. It means being grounded, kind, caring, compassionate, loving, strong, open, and adventurous. It means letting others see your vulnerability, but staying true to yourself and living to your highest potential. It means doing the things you enjoy, that bring a smile to your face, peace to your heart, clarity to your mind, and a sense of awe to your soul, and helping others do the same.

My journey is not one I would have chosen, but it has brought me to where I am today. And for that, I am truly grateful. I’m a life-long learner, I love to travel, cook, read, and spend time in nature. In recent years, I have been experimenting with reaching past my comfort zone. I have learned to surf, zip line, and bike. I’m a lousy skier and slow runner, but that doesn’t stop me from trying. I embrace life and it starts with how I nourish myself.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’m not quite sure who has had a smooth journey. My feeling is that we are all impeccably flawed and have different situations to deal with. We are all going through something.

Personally, some of my biggest struggles were physically feeling bad, body image issues, and wondering if I would ever feel “whole” again. I still struggle with some of these things today. I was afraid of exercise for a long time because I was afraid to overexert myself. But I read a lot, and I learned that exercise was really one of the best things for you in the right doses. Something as simple as 30 minutes of brisk walking daily could do wonders.

I also started juicing, a lot. I juiced fresh vegetables 10-13 times per day. Almost every hour that I was awake. I wanted to give my body as many nutrients as I could. I changed my diet and removed as many inflammatory foods as I could. I started buying mostly organic foods. It was more expensive, but I made that my priority instead of shoes, clothes, and whatever else I used to spend money on.

Professionally, I struggled to build a business. I closed the door on my first practice, Integrated Nutrition Solutions, which was just starting to flourish, and when I was ready to come back, there was nothing to come back to. I had no clients, I was starting from scratch, again. I rebranded so that I could encompass more than what was on your plate. Because life is more than what’s on your plate. I believe in whole living. That includes what motivates us, how we move, how we rest, and how we interact with others. I love what I do and I know I have knowledge that people need to live a healthier life, free of pain and health problems that rob them of activities they enjoy. Sharing my knowledge gives me purpose every morning.

My advice to young women just starting on this journey is simple, take care of yourself. Do what feels right to you. Your body will tell you when it needs to rest, what you should eat, what brings meaning to your life, and how to live. Just listen to your internal compass, you won’t guide yourself astray. Take help when others offer, and allow yourself to receive the love that comes your way. Make your health and your life your priority.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
My title is registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), but I see myself as a champion of health and wellness, of living to the fullest. My mission is to help others regain their health and live their lives to their fullest potential. I’m turning the illness epidemic around one person at a time through nutrition coaching and education.

Like the saying, “all roads lead to Rome”, I believe all illness leads back to the gut. It’s how we nourish ourselves and our gut is the gatekeeper of what gets in and what doesn’t. It is also home to our microbiome, the trillions of bacteria we are host to that influence our wellbeing. Among other things, our microbiome produces neurotransmitters (chemicals that talk to our brain), influences what foods we eat, and how we feel (emotionally and physically).

When the gut is not functioning properly, people experience pain and other discomforts that prevent them from being around others, and may even skip out on activities with family and friends because they are afraid that they won’t be feeling well enough. It may result in nutrient deficiencies leaving them tired, unable to participate in life the way they’d like to.

I specialize in disorders affecting the gut. I help people identify their foods sensitivities, assess the health of their microbiome, and any nutrient deficiencies. Then I work with them to get them back on the road to health.

The healing power of plants is unlimited. There is wisdom in nature, and the same things that help plants survive transfers to us when we eat them. We haven’t invented that kind of medicine yet, and we don’t need to because it already exists and is ours if want it.

The success stories of my clients are my greatest success as well – from improving their cholesterol; controlling their blood sugars, becoming non-diabetic and getting off medication; healing Crohn’s and painful symptoms of IBS; and weight loss.

I see clients individually in my private practice and I teach classes on healthy eating and living for organizations. The classes are offered through a 10-week program and is covered by insurance so it is a win-win for the individual and the organization! I also do public speaking events.

What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
There is a lot of competition in the world and it is fueled by a scarcity mindset. “You have to buy this now”. “You’re going to miss out”. “There isn’t enough for all of us”. These ideas simply are not true. And we know we do better when we help each other, but there is still this mentality and I think the biggest barrier is fear. Fear that there won’t be enough for you.

Zig Zigler said, “You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want”. I believe most people want to be happy, spend time with their loved ones, engage in activities they enjoy, and above all, be healthy. That’s the principle I live my life by.

My industry, ironically, is mostly female and I’ve seen and felt a lot of competition, but I have also been lucky enough to have strong female mentors who have guided me on my journey and in my career. For this, I feel blessed and grateful.

Contact Info:

• Address: 8200 E. Belleview Avenue, Ste #203-C
  Greenwood Village, CO 80111
• Website: www.lifewell-lived.com
• Phone: 303.335.0532
• Email: regina@lifewell-lived.com
• Instagram: @rtopelson
• Facebook: Regina Topelson: Life Well-Lived
• Twitter: @lifewell_lived_
• Other: www.linkedin.com/in/regina-topelson

Image Credit:
Violetta P. Guida

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