Welcome to the Coconuts and Kettlebells community!
Hey friend—I’m so glad you’re here!
I’m Noelle, and as you’ve probably guessed, I have a thing for coconuts and kettlebells. But, while both of those are pretty fantastic, it’s not what gets me up in the morning. What does is being able to help people create a positive relationship with food and fitness. I like to start conversations, initiate small shifts, and empower people to totally ditch the one-size-fits-all diet mentality that never works.
About Me
I’m a child of God, wife, mom of two, and I have the sweetest little goldendoodle named Chili. As a marine-corps wife, I’ve lived all up and down the Eastern Seaboard, and current reside in the gorgeous area of Northern Virginia.
Professionally, I’m a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP™), certified by the Nutritional Therapy Association®, and a National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA®) Certified Personal Trainer. I’m the founder and writer behind all of the posts you’ll find here on coconutsandkettlebells.com, and I’m the author of the best-selling cookbook, Coconuts and Kettlebells. I was the host of the top-ranked women’s health and fitness podcast, Well-Fed Women for 11 years. Currently, I’m the founder of Well Minerals, and the creator an innovative personalized home workout program, Strong From Home.
Before pivoting and becoming a nutritionist and starting my own business, I worked as the marketing director for a large chain of retail stores in the triathlon industry. As part of the marketing for the stores, I was a race director, coached group workouts, and did a number of different health presentations at local offices and Semper Fit (USMC), which is how I met my husband.
My husband and I now use our experience in the running and triathlon industry to create and direct races that support local community efforts and give back.
My Story
Starting at a young age, I was on a diet. Like many women, I thought that’s what I was supposed to do. I ate vegetarian for most of my adolescence, and as my body started to change in high school, I started drinking diet shakes and doing cardio to lose weight.
While making these “lifestyle changes” started out innocent, I quickly became obsessed with counting calories and felt shame and guilt for missing a workout. Even though I had lost the weight I thought I needed to, I still felt like I needed to fix myself.
Over the course of 10 years, I went vegan, ran marathons, read endless self-help books, and tried every new diet under the sun. In the process, I ran my health into the ground. I dealt with chronic back pain on a daily basis, I lost my period, was always getting sick, and my metabolism was completely destroyed. I also struggled with anxiety and digestive issues, including IBS.
Eventually, I had a moment. After experiencing a severe injury, I asked myself, “Noelle, who are you doing this for?” It wasn’t for me. I was being driven by what the world thought I should do and be. And in that moment, I started on a new path.
In 2008, I started focusing on strength, muscle, and protein—and it completely changed my life. I stopped eating gluten and it healed my gut, which is why all of my recipes are allergy-friendly.
Ultimate freedom came for me when I stopped finding my worth in what I ate or did for a workout. I stopped doing the endless amounts of cardio to “burn calories”, and switched to doing movement I genuinely enjoyed. Instead of putting my worth in my weight and thinking I needed to be a specific weight or have a six-pack to be healthy and worthy, I started doing what was right for my health physically, mentally, and emotionally.
While I’ve made just about every mistake with health and fitness, I wouldn’t change a thing. Experience has been my greatest teacher, and I am right here in this moment with you because of everything I’ve been through in life.
Fun Facts:
- I eloped and got married on a beach in Riviera Maya, Mexico.
- I prefer cookies over cake. But I will happily eat both.
- My favorite food is Jasmine rice. I know, it’s so basic but it’s the best.
- I’m a Notre Dame football fan, and got to watch a game from the sidelines in South Bend.
- I’m still holding on to a small collection of “rare” and “valuable” beanie babies in my attic.
- I had Samantha growing up. IYKYK.
- I danced ballet for ten years, then did competitive cheerleading in high school and college.
- The first triathlon I did, I didn’t finish because I forgot how the brakes worked and wrecked on my bike.
Popular FAQs
Where did you get the name from?
When I started my blog, I knew I wanted to talk about both nutrition and fitness, but didn’t know how to tie it into one name. I used coconut oil and coconut flour all the time in baking, and I was obsessed with kettlebells. While I brainstormed a million different names, coconuts and kettlebells was a fun alliteration and everyone I asked picked it as their favorite. Almost 10 years later, I still love the name!
Can I hire you to help me with nutrition?
I don’t work one on one with clients anymore, but I love helping people through my podcast and Instagram. Of course, I also post helpful articles and recipes here regularly! You can always submit a question to the podcast and I might just answer it on the show!
Why did you choose the Nutritional Therapy Association?
Check out my comprehensive review of the Nutritional Therapy Association to learn more!
What do you recommend for people who are beginner bakers?
Try my foolproof paleo chocolate chip cookies or the best gluten free zucchini bread.
I need your help with a product recommendation!
I got you! I update my shop pages weekly with products, tools, and resources I recommend!
Noelle’s Favorite Recipes
What’s Next? Join the Community!
Join the community and come say hi! I’d love to spend more time together:
- Get free recipes and content by joining my email list. I’ll hook you up will all the good stuff and it’s the best place to keep in touch!
- Come say hello on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.
- Listen to the Well-Fed Women Podcast.
- Obsessed with clean beauty and safe skin care? Join my clean beauty community!
- And lastly, join our private Facebook group to chat with other members of the Well-Fed Women holistic health community!