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

Hi Leah, the decisions we make often shape our story in profound ways. What was one of the most difficult decisions you’ve had to make?
One of the most difficult decisions I’ve had to make was when I made the choice to leave my steady, full-time job and go back to school for my second bachelors degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. Many people thought I was crazy to take that kind of risk but I knew it was something I needed to do. I knew I had to further my goal of helping others, which my previous careers at law firms and banks just didn’t do. I was jumping into university, again, 10 years after I had the first time-would I be the oldest person there? Would people know I used to struggle with math and science, which were going to be a big part of my new education/career? Regardless I jumped in and got to work!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
One of the hardest things I’ve had to continually overcome has been my own inner critic. I suffered from ‘Imposter Syndrome’ before that was even a phrase in most people’s vocabulary. I trace it back to when my 4th grade teacher basically told me I would never amount to much because I wasn’t very smart. That’s a low blow to anyone, let alone a 4th grader (and NOT true!). I’ve had to learn many things since then, like knowing when to tune out those voices (your own and others) that are saying negative and untrue things about you and that the number of degrees you obtain does not equal your self-worth.

When you’re starting a business it’s rarely an easy road, and some days I feel like I’ve been on this road for many lifetimes! As corny as it might sound, I’ve learned to never give up and to continue to follow your dreams. Those dreams might change and your business might look different than you thought it would but you CAN make it!

I started my holistic health coach business years ago but throughout my masters had to take time off from really focusing on it. Once I graduated I hit the road running by building out a large coaching program that helps those diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, a prenatal course to help pregnant women support their bodies nutritionally as they grow their baby and prep for birth, as well as a gut healing program for those struggling with gut issues who don’t know where to start.

Almost everything that I discuss or teach about is something I have been through which I think can be really helpful when working with people on their health journeys.

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?
I love living in this area so much and there is a lot to see! My absolute favorite restaurant is called Costa by OK & M in downtown Delray Beach; they have the most delicious, organic, locally sourced food around! I would go there every single day if I could.

One of my favorite places to walk, run or bike is on Old Ocean Blvd in Boynton Beach/Ocean Ridge that is almost like a ‘secret’ road along the ocean with beautiful homes.

One of my other favorite places to be is in Miami Beach along the water where you’re able to see not only the beautiful ocean but some amazing people watching and great food.

I’d also tell people to go to the Las Olas section of Fort Lauderdale. Although a lot of tourist activities happen there, it also has some great nightlife with different places to eat and listen to music.

In Little Havana there is not only delicious food and people watching but also a very community feel where it seems like people have been eating at the same local place for many years.

West Palm Beach has a lot of different things to experience but one of my favorites is the Farmers Market downtown that happens on Saturdays from October until April.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people that have helped me along my journey to where I am now, from my friends and family to people I’ve met while browsing stands at the farmers market. But my number one supporter even when we’re under stress of a new baby, several jobs and a move, is my husband Tim. He doesn’t always understand why I do what I do when it comes to taking some of those big entrepreneurial risks but he stands by side and encourages me to do them anyway.

If I didn’t have him by my side it would have been that much harder to finish my Masters in Clinical Nutrition, to have my beautiful son at our homebirth, to start taking on clients even when I felt I didn’t know enough yet (spoiler I do know plenty, it’s just sometimes hard for me to see!) and so much more. With our new eight month old son it has been a struggle to divide time between family and business, without Tim by my side, taking him when I have client calls or have to go meet up with someone, I wouldn’t be able to help those that I do.

I’m truly grateful I got up that bitter cold day in Chicago and went to the indoor triathlon where we met years ago.

Besides Tim, the women in my family have been true inspirations in every single way. From my grandmother who was told that women didn’t need to go to college or be educated (she obtained a masters and became a school principal), to my mother who got out of her small town and climbed the corporate ladder in NYC until she stepped off and raised my sister and me (all while working her antique business), to my aunt who had no college education and rose the ranks of property management in NYC while inspiring hundreds of others in her service, to those who were employed by her, and finally to my sister who went back for her PhD when she had a successful career in advertising (even though others told her she was crazy), many people have inspired me. Watching these women in my life overcome huge obstacles and naysayers in their life to achieve so much keeps me going, especially on those days when things seem hard.

Website: www.hotgreenlife.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah675/

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

Image Credits
Michelle Ospino (me cross legged on the beach with eyes closed)

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