About

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 Jesus lover, wife, mom of two incredible toddlers, and boxer dog mom. 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 most of the posts you’ll find here on coconutsandkettlebells.com, and I’m the author of the best-selling cookbook, Coconuts and Kettlebells. I’m also the host of the top-ranked women’s health and fitness podcast, Well-Fed Women, the owner of the mineral supplement line, 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 directed many road races, coached group workouts, and did health presentations at local doctors offices and even Semper Fit (USMC), which is ultimately 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 as much as we can.

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 working out 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 hated my body and 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 doing more strength training and eating paleo. While I don’t follow a paleo lifestyle now, it’s what ultimately helped me stop counting calories. I also found that I have a sensitivity to both gluten and dairy, 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 gorgeous beach in Riviera Maya, Mexico.
• My favorite dessert is paleo chocolate cake. And yes, I eat cake for the icing.
• My favorite food is tacos.
• My favorite workout is cycling. There’s nothing better than being on the bike.
• I’m a Notre Dame football fan, and got to watch a game from the sidelines in South Bend.
• My happy place is HomeGoods. I mean… you try coming out of there without buying something. It’s impossible.
• I have a large collection of “rare” and “valuable” beanie babies in my attic.
• 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

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. New episodes launch weekly!
• 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!