Happy Birthday a is for avocados! 🥳🥑
So fun fact, it was this time last year in which I sat in our camper trailer with my kids the day after Christmas, while the flooring guys laid our brand new carpet as I had just repainted our entire house two weeks beforehand (and my shoulder’s still not recovered from all that painting!). Because I still had some extra time (like a whole week!) of free time before my winter term started, I began noodling around with an idea of starting a blog. I had no idea what I was doing and didn’t spend too much time researching before I decided to go for it.
Ultimately I started with a really difficult blogging platform that I quickly abandoned to wind up over here in this blog-sphere.
I had high hopes of having weekly blog posts, and for a while I was able to juggle my full workload of being a mom to (mostly) great kids and their various extra curricular activities, while also being a full time grad student juggling 5 classes and 16 grad level credits that included (barf🤢) biostatistics, which I had for 2 freakin’ terms.
Seriously, biostatistics was/is a huge NOPE for me. And if I ever need some stats run, I’ll hire a professional for that. (Sidebar: who goes into stats for a career tho, like for realz???)
I still have no idea was a p value is, some days the p value equals….. and other days not some much???
Ok. Got it. Clear as mud…?
Clearly this isn’t me, but is an accurate portrayal of stats- minus the tears of course
Thankfully, I was able to do my entire first year of my grad program remotely, and so I still had this idea that kept noodling around my head of starting my own business. I thought Why the hell not?
I knew it would take alot of time, consistency, trial and error, and I was right. I hired a business coach and learned about social media marketing which is a beast all in and of it’s own. I’m not a social media virtual assistant by any means but I’m slowly figuring it out. I aim to post consistently on social media to build a following, rapport and trust with my followers and to use it that platform as a marketing tool.
“You can’t make everyone happy, you’re not an avocado.”
Truer words were never spoken!
I didn’t go to business school, and had a hell of time making my own website, which the first revision I was told was ‘boring’ and so I went back to the drawing board this summer when I had more time to liven it up.
And with the entire summer of laid out before me that only consisted of taking one small class and an epic road trip, I had ample time to take my ideas of making a signature 16-week program that uses learning modules with weekly themes and video & learning material to aid in my nutrition coaching. Again, this took a couple of months to build, and it was when my dear friend Chelsea agreed to be my guinea pig for my program, that I had to put my creative output into overdrive to complete the build-out.
Chelsea has been a friend for a long time, and I am so grateful for her trust and have greatly appreciated her constructive feedback to better the program.
Meet Chelsea O.!
I’m going to pause for a minute and give a huge shout out to Chelsea and her success while on my program- she lost 17 lbs while on it, and has gone on to lose more on her own for a 20 lb weight loss while using the skills from my coaching program!!
As avocado’s very first graduate, she is rocking her custom tank top, and showing off her well earned muscles!
Head on over to the ‘Testimonials’ page to see her full quote!
The goal for my business is to help women who have tried everything and truly want to find a path which helps them return to the person they know they are deep down. This was the case with Chelsea, she told me she’d felt lost after having kids, and missed being active and wanted to make the change for herself, and wanted to show her kids what a healthy active lifestyle looks like.
Additionally, she also has lactose issues, which is something I am well-versed in. We implemented alternative dairy when needed, but aimed to increase her protein, and balance out her carbs and fats (macros). Chelsea was astonished to find how flexible macro counting is, and was able to enjoy vacations, and survived illness as well as working around an on-going neck and knee injury.
Chelsea also commented that the weekly themes of the learning modules offered so much information, and it tied in so well into health and fitness in a way that she’d never expected it to. I was so glad and grateful that she understood the points that I had been trying to convey.
I enjoyed making the videos and talking at length of the many facets of lifestyle changes that needed to occur to support an overall health change.
That is exactly why fad diets fail. Without understanding the structure and scaffolding that needs to be put into place, drastic overhauls on health won’t be sustainable.
So we talk in great detail about many of them, and find a collaborative approach that gives the client the autonomy to make these changes.
There is also a great deal of talk around the persons ‘WHY’ and how to implement S.M.A.R.T. Goals, which we revisit often.
It was no walk in the park, and the times when I knew many clients tend to struggle, Chelsea hit the mark, and that was were the magic happend. The struggle is and was part of my (evil) plan. It is there in the face of adversity were we have to ask what it is that we truly want.
“I actually fell in love with working out again!’
Chelsea O.
Clients have to understand that the struggle is were the rubber hits the road, and the only way to get to the destination to start driving. They are the ones who are the steering wheel, and have the power to take back their lives. I can’t do that for them, but when someone is faced with giving up or getting started, I hope that they do the later, and as a coach I have to let them take the training wheels off take the car and take the car for a spin (and I’m sitting next to them in the passenger seat ready to pump the brakes when needed).
On our very last video call, I’ll never forget the look on Chelsea’s face when she had an epiphany and her face beamed with full joy as she exclaimed, ‘I actually fell in love with working out again!’
That is the image I will always remember, and the exact reason I started avocados- to help women return to themselves, assisting as they navigate their own unique challenges, guide them through the science of nutrition and fitness, and be their cheerleader to the end of the challenge and beyond–if they decide to sign up for more support and coaching with me!
My mission: Empower her with accurate nutrition, exercise protocols, and tools for lasting, sustainable change.
So the whole-build-a-business thing has been quite the learning curve, and I am grateful that I took the leap. It has been quite the journey about stepping into the unknown, being brave, having courage, and being both scared and exhilarated.
In the next year my goal is to take on more clients who are Celiac, gluten or lactose intolerant, and/or who are committed to a weight loss goal, and have a deep desire to make lasting lifestyle changes. I will continue to update my resources as I find quality ones, and continue to write blog post as often as I can as I finish my internship.
Oh, and I graduate with my Masters in Professional Dietetics in June so I’ll be studying for my Registered Dietitian credentialing exam over the summer! After that, I’m not exactly sure of where I’ll end up– so stay tuned!
Lastly, I want to thank all of you beautiful folks who do in fact open the email and read the (entire) blog post, and I am even more grateful if you refer me to your friends and family. I am what they call an entrapaneaur, Entrapaneure, enttranpaeur, entrepreneur now so word of mouth is the golden ticket and preferred method of marketing- so please forward to all your peeps!
Additionally, if you want more of my brainy & brawny insights be sure to follow me on social media–just click the square on the top right of the header to go to my Instagram! I have a personal account on Instagram (caressardunphy) which has more of ‘me’, as well as a professional business account for avocados (aisforavocadosllc). I’m also on Facebook in much the same way. Again I appreciate the ‘follows’ and feedback that you all give!
Happy Birthday a is for avocados!!
Caressa 🥑🎂 🥳 🥑
Party Favors: Celebrate with me! Use code ‘AVOPIECEOFCAKE!’ at checkout for a free ebook, or sign up for my email list, or tag 4 friends for a chance to win a month of FREE coaching. Do all for 4x raffle entries! New followers who DM your referral also earn entries. Winner announced Jan 4th!
Coaching includes:
• 1 call weekly (for a total of 4- 30 minute calls)
• DM between calls for quick check ins/questions
• Accountability forms (1 each week- 4 in total)
• Personalized nutrition and exercise approach
• The use of the Coaching platform
• S.M.A.R.T. Goals
• Winner will be contacted on IG or through email
• Winner agrees to pay monthly subscription to 1st Phorm app ($12.99/mo) for logging food and body metrics.
• Winner agrees to the use of their images and will be asked for their written experience for social media promotion. **Please note one month of coaching equals 30 days from contract signed.
Transform your fitness journey with our 16-week Dumbbell & Bodyweight Program! Instantly download your PDF guide packed with dynamic workouts that adapt weekly with changing reps and fresh exercises every four weeks, keeping your routine exciting and effective. Plus, you'll get a complete movement glossary to master every move with confidence. Get ready to challenge yourself and see real results!
Please Note: Due to the nature of the downloaded ebook, the demo video links are not live. The following business day, a link will be sent to your email address to ensure that the demo videos are viewable.
Unlock the secrets to optimal nutrition with this comprehensive workbook! Discover the essentials of calories, delve into the importance of macronutrients for your body, and stay updated with the latest USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Includes case studies, goal setting template, and a 3-day meal plan. Get ready to transform your health journey!
As a Nutrition Coaching + Learning Modules member you have access to the Nutrition Learning Modules along with direct message communication with your coach for the duration of you coaching contract. Included is the Nutrition 101 + Coaching Workbook and the 16-week Dumbbell and Bodyweight Exercises ebooks as instant downloads. Enjoy a 10% discount when you pay in full.
This coaching service is ideal for graduates of Avocado's 16-week program or those experienced in macro counting and maintaining a workout routine. It offers personalized coaching, including weekly check-in calls, direct messaging support, and ongoing macro guidance to help you reach your fitness and nutrition goals. While a six-month commitment is encouraged for lasting results, it's not required. Enjoy a 10% discount when you commit to six months of one-on-one coaching and pay in one payment.
