Your health. your terms.
No gym. No equipment. No insane meal plans.
Just your mind, body, and your home.
Hello!
My name is Amelia and I am a Food-First Personal Trainer and Metabolic Health Advocate based in the Seattle, Washington area. I work with clients virtually and in-person, helping you identify foods that optimize your mind state so you can succeed at the “working out” part next. Movement is necessary, but I believe that food can heal first and foremost!
Why do I label myself a “Food-First” Personal Trainer?
The food-first concept is rooted in the science of metabolic health: what we eat affects our mind and body. The two are inseparable. In order to understand and respond effectively to your mental and physical health, we must look at what you eat first. If food is part of the problem, then it is part of the solution. I would be a failure as a personal trainer if I said, “just work double time at the gym, so you can work off that problematic food you eat.” I love to cook but you don’t have to! I show you how to make fast, simple food that tastes amazing and nourishes your mind and body.
Why do I specialize in “Metabolic Health” instead of calling myself a Health Coach?
The term “metabolic health” is a holistic, science-based understanding of health. It includes mental, physical, environmental and even spiritual components. I don’t just tell you what to eat and how much. Everything we do in our daily lives impacts our metabolic health. I work with you to bridge the gaps between your mind, body and culture (environment) so all pathways can work together harmoniously. Here is one of my favorite ways to explain it: Disorders of the body and mind can be overactive, underactive or have absent functions (think hyperthyroidism, hypoglycemia or autoimmune disorders). Simply put, our bodies can operate optimally (thriving) or operate in a dysfunctional or dysregulated state (surviving). As humans, our one common link is simple: we want to thrive! Check out The Symposium for Metabolic Health to learn more about me and other metabolic health practitioners.
More About Me
My mind. I have always been a big thinker. An observer. A curious adventurer. I have also struggled with depression and anxiety much of my life. To address these concerns, I have explored a variety of therapeutic modalities, including meditation, counseling, intergenerational trauma clearing, ritual and many different food lifestyles. I continue to explore these remedies to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, while I build supportive, affirming habits in my daily life. I also attend Metabolic Health conferences, take health coaching courses and read books on mental health. I am currently reading Brain Energy by Dr. Christopher Palmer and on the waitlist for the sold out book by Georgie Ede, Change Your Diet Change Your Mind. I love learning about mitochondrial health and how certain food ingredients can impair optimal functioning of our metabolic state. As a Metabolic Health Coach, I value the importance of building my network with other metabolic healthcare experts through the Society of Metabolic Health Practitioners (SMHP), where I am a current member.
My body. I love to move. I grew up playing sports and acting in theatre. I struggled with disordered eating and body image from an early age. Nowadays, I use movement and food as my main medicine. What do I eat? Mostly animal proteins, healthy fats and small amounts of carbohydrates (like squash, radishes and green veggies). I love to lift weights, practice hand balancing, design band and body weight workouts, climb jungle gyms, and immerse myself in the four elements. I cook simple, satiating meals twice a day, I love to garden, forage, scuba dive, travel, dance and sing all the time!
My culture. I was raised in what I call a polyculture, so I celebrate and practice diverse cultural traditions—from European to Lakota (Native American) to West African and East Asian. I went rogue as a teenager and took a deep dive into punk rock culture, veganism, and social justice efforts, so my DIY mentality is still very strong. My worldview is rooted in Lakota tradition and Eastern European Paganism. My ethnic ancestry consists of Eastern and Western European as well as Ho-Chunk Native American. I value the influence and importance of sacred culture for all people and encourage anyone to learn about their ancestry in order to reconnect with their diverse healing traditions.
My Qualifications
AMERICAN COUNCIL ON EXERCISE (ACE) CERTIFICATIONS:
Personal Trainer Certification completed January 2022. Specialties: DEI Ethics, Coaching and Training Women, Exercise Science 101, Weight Management, Behavior Change Specialist (course in progress)
Completed Courses - Nutrition Advisor, Therapeutic LCHF Nutrition, Addictive Eating
ADDITIONAL TRAINING:
Motivational Interviewing, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and Group Facilitation (The Conciliation Project)
MY PODCAST: On February 21, 2024, I launched a podcast with my bestie Dr. Funmmy Awoyomi entitled: The Magic of Metabolic Health. Watch it on YouTube!
And a random fun fact: I also own and operate The Great Surprisal. Check out my shenanigans there!
FAQs
What is a Primitive Pulse? Primitive Pulse is a value system. It is about reconnecting with your innate, ancestral wisdom and learning how to optimally function in a modern, and sometimes backwards, world. It’s about restoring your mind, body and culture so you can thrive mentally, physically and socially. And for those who dare, even spiritually.
What is Metabolic Health Coaching(MHC)? MHC is a holistic approach to health, where we address symptoms of chronic conditions (disease) and mental health through the lens of food lifestyle and functional movement. Understanding the different facets of your metabolism helps you familiarize yourself with common symptoms like indigestion, bloating, chronic headaches, sleep issues, blood sugar and blood pressure, as well as other biomarkers. As a Metabolic Health Coach, I seek to empower you to make sustainable changes that will lead you to optimal health. Learn more about Metabolic Health here.
What are the Four Essential Steps (FES)? Read the full explanation here.
Do I have to change my diet to succeed? If you are content with your mood, sleep, energy, digestion, weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar, then no. But if you’re not satisfied…I encourage you to reevaluate the food you eat. I don’t ever recommend a diet; instead I focus on helping you identify which foods offer you sustainable energy, and which ones cause uncomfortable side effects. The goal is to develop a food lifestyle that is not only nourishing but is satisfying—one that you enjoy! When we talk about food, the term “abundance” always trumps “restriction.” The term “moderation” is not something I use or recommend.
Where do we work out if we train together? I come to your home or we meet virtually.
Are virtual sessions the same price as in-person? For one hour, yes. However, I do offer a 30 minute virtual session at a different rate (which is not offered in-person).
Do I need equipment to work out with you? Nope! If you have equipment, we use what you have. I focus on utilizing your home environment as a place for simple, functional movement. If you want to build muscle, get out those laundry baskets baby! Grab some milk jugs or fill that old paint bucket with water and start walkin’! You probably have more than what you need but if you’re unsure, we will determine what you need, together.
Here is an example of what I do in my clients’ homes!
check out more videos on Instagram
PSA — No Shoes Needed!
If I could give up hyper-modern shoes forever, I would! But since I live in a concrete jungle, I have a compromise to make: for two years now I have been exercising primarily in bare feet or moccasins (made by Jamie Gentry Designs). Those tiny tendons and muscles in my feet are finally thanking me! See what happens when you get rid of over-stuffed soles. Try barefoot or barely there shoes when you move.