Meet Lauren Leitner | Health & Wellness Coach/ Culinary Nutrition Expert

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauren Leitner and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lauren, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
It can be said simply- Patience. Patience is something I have to have in order to create the habits that work best for me. The habits that work best for me are the ones that I created for my morning routine. It took quite a bit of trial and “correction” in order to develop this routine so that I can take care of what I need before giving back to everyone for the day.

I am a firm believer that how I start the day sets the tone and productivity for the rest of my day ahead. Instead of checking emails and texts when I first wake up I have set up some Non – non-negotiables for myself. First, I start with meditation. That wasn’t easy. It took some time for me to find the right app to keep me consistent. Once I did, I never missed a mediation in 6 years now. I then follow up with my gratitude journal and create an affirmation of the day. I do this because I notice that when I begin and end my day with what I am grateful for, I am less reactive to the stress of everyday life.

I follow up with drinking 32 ounces of water ( before my 1 cup of coffee)which is great for digestion and rehydrating after a night’s sleep. Again, this is not something I just woke up doing one day. I took time to build up to that because this sets me up for healthier choices throughout the day. Finally, I finish my morning routine with my workout. Whether it’s strength training, yoga, hiking or just a walk. I just make sure to move no matter what. This stabilizes my energy and mood allows me to feel present throughout the day.

After so much practice adding each element to my morning, I am able to give back to my job, my clients and everything else that I need to hold space for.

Over the years, I have noticed that so many of my clients often forget about themselves by starting the day making it about everyone else first. That causes a lot of stress and emotions. I realized, it doesn’t take a lot of time to do anything that is just for you.

I meditate for 10 minutes, journal for 5, move for 30-60 minutes. There are 1440 minutes in a day so when I put this in perspective I understand that 80-90 minutes I use for me is so powerful and then I have so much more to give for the remainder of the day

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Becoming a Coach has been the most rewarding experience of my life. Having experienced chronic dieting filled with shame and guilt myself, I love to witness what is possible for anyone of any age to finally experience the freedom of their relationship with food and their body. After years of not feeling like I was good enough to run a business or help others, I remind myself of the rewards it gives me seeing clients finally find their light after living in so much darkness.

The biggest lesson is all about creating boundaries that feel safe for you and how it’s okay to say “No” to something or someone in order to say “ Yes” to yourself. We are in a world of distraction and it can cloud our choices. I have learned that having a choice is powerful and we can also inspire others when we start to take care of ourselves.

My philosophy is unique because it is all about living life with a NON diet approach. I take a non restrictive path to not only find food freedom but also reveal passion and joy that may have been missing. I focus on different pillars of our lives that aren’t just about food and exercise to get to your goals. There are many other layers to why we make the choices we do. It can be from feeling a void in other areas like: relationships, connection, spirituality, financial, etc.  I teach how to have a Healthy Mind and body so you never have to diet again and dig deeper into these other layers to start the healing.

I understand how exhausting and overwhelming taking control of your eating habits can be, especially with the myriad of “experts” telling you what to do. I’ve been there, and know what it’s like to feel guilty for eating, well, anything really! I help people discover what is best for their unique body and lifestyle which ultimately helps build the confidence and continued motivation without being on the diet roller coaster.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Let me first say, I love nature and being outdoors so the first place I would go is on one of my favorite hikes on Temescal Canyon in Pacific Palisades. I am an early morning riser and love starting a day at the bottom of the mountain just before the sun rises. This hike is about 2.5 miles uphill to my favorite spot sitting on a rock on a hill. It overlooks the ocean and mountains at the same time. I would take them around to a few Farmers Market’s in the city. I don’t have a favorite because they all have their own personality and vibe. For someone that loves to cook, I love buying fresh produce from local Farmers and having conversations so they can teach you about their produce and give ideas. I always feel inspired to create when I am there. With the same idea of being outdoors we would go to the Rooftop Cinema Club which offers an outdoor movie experience with a view. I am Whole Food plant- based so I would get food from SunCafe in Studio City which is one of my favorite spots to take to the movies if I decided not to bring my home-cooked food.

For another day, we would go to the Huntington Library and have a day exploring all the gardens and mystical adventures that space offers.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
A book that inspired me long ago was “The Way of the Peaceful Warrior” by Dan Millman. I read this so many times that my actual physical copy fell apart. This story is philosophical and also blends fiction with autobiographical elements. When Dan found his mentor/ teacher he guided him on a transformative journey toward self-discovery and a deeper understanding of life. The lessons on mindfulness, personal growth, and the pursuit of inner peace were life changing for me.

What I got out of this story has become the essence of who I am and how I choose to live life.

Live in the Present Moment: The book emphasizes the importance of being present and fully engaged in the current moment. Letting go of worries about the past and anxieties about the future and encouraging a focus on the now. This lesson aligns with principles of mindfulness and can be powerful for individuals striving to build a better relationship with their bodies and food.

Embrace Change and Transformation: Embracing change and see it as an essential part of personal growth. For chronic dieters seeking lasting change, the idea of evolving and adapting without the constraints of rigid diets aligns with fostering a healthier mindset.

Discover Your Own Path: In our world, we struggle trying to be like everyone else and lose sight of who we are and embracing our uniqueness. This lesson speaks to the importance of individuality and finding a personalized approach to well-being. I guide my clients to discover their own unique journey towards health and wellness can be a powerful way to foster lasting change.

Website: https://laurenleitner.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pwr_yourlife/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pwryourlife

Other: My podcast https://members.laurenleitner.com/