Guest Post! Living Your Best Life by Carey Peters, Co-Founder of Health Coach Institute

February 6, 2017

Today I am living my personal and professional dream, training others to run successful health coaching businesses through my company, Health Coach Institute.  Students tell me their time with us is transformational, or even revolutionary.  it is a business that I created with my co-founder Stacey Morgenstern through grit, determination, and a lot of hard work. It’s a true labor of love and I could not be more proud.

But it wasn’t always this way…

Flash back several years.

I was a professional actress struggling to earn more than $50k a year and hating my life.  Even though acting was my passion, I just wasn’t happy or fulfilled living the starving artist life, and some part of me knew that I wanted something more. At the same time I was struggling with a very complicated relationship with food. I was completely addicted to Diet Coke of all things!  I drank two liters a day and my diet practically consisted of junk food during the day followed by a tub of Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream every single night before bed. I also had a binge-eating disorder that haunted me for years. I knew something radical had to change and I knew that, to take back my life, I’d have to start changing what I ate and how I ate. That was the first step to a full-blown love affair with health.

When I discovered Health Coaching, I knew I had found my path. Suddenly everything made sense.

After several years of study and hard work, I built a six-figure coaching practice in under ten months. I had always been passionate about becoming an entrepreneur and when I discovered coaching as a career, it truly felt like it was made for me. I was like “I get paid to become my healthiest self and help others do the same? Hell yeah!”  It was as if the heavens opened above and said, “Carey, this is your new life!” I was scared though, because it seemed too good to be true—that I could turn my passion for health and personal growth into a career that helps people?! It took a little while for that to sink in, but when I saw other people doing it successfully for a living, I thought “Why not me?” After that, I was all in and have never looked back.

It was during this time that I met my Health Coach Institute co-founder, Stacey Morgenstern, and together we built a multi-million dollar company called Holistic MBA— a world-class business training for health and personal development coaches. Holistic MBA was the forerunner to HCI.

Over the years we trained thousands of coaches who complained to us time and again that they weren’t able to coach for a living and were overloaded with nutrition information from their previous training.

They told us they wished we offered a certificate program that would train coaches from the start so they wouldn’t have to waste time and money in other programs that they felt didn’t work.

That’s why we created Health Coach Institute (HCI) – to fill the gap in the marketplace – to build a Health Coaching school that focuses less on theory and more on the practical skills that help coaches truly succeed.

The first few months with Health Coach Institute were hectic! Just as with running any new business it meant months and months of overtime and eating, sleeping and breathing it. Luckily, we had practice from building Holistic MBA so we weren’t total newbies but, still, every business is different and HCI was our baby. We poured time, love and energy into making it the best it could be. We started off with only three other people and Stacey and me. We had one sales person, Stacey wrote all the marketing copy, one systems operator and I was the businesswoman behind the business.

There was a steep learning curve, but it’s also the ultimate in self-empowerment and personal growth, because you are forced to develop a level of creativity, resilience and personal power that you didn’t know you had. In fact, that is part of what we teach in our curriculum. We teach students how to gain confidence and step into the most empowered version of themselves—and we were doing it right along with them!

Tapping into this purpose gave me drive that I had only imagined possible. I look at my life now and think about all of the time I wasted not chasing my passion. For me, a purpose driven career is the ONLY thing that matters. If I’m spending 40-80 hours a week giving my heart and soul to an endeavor that is NOT aligned with who I am or why I’m here, then what am I doing?

Too many of us are burnt out from dead end jobs that we wake up every day dreading. That’s such a huge waste of creative energy. Health Coaches are the ultimate advocates for purpose-driven lifestyles and careers because we are all about creating your life from your most empowered self, on your own terms, and owning it wholeheartedly.

If you’re someone who is thinking about starting a business or turning your passion into a career, then there’s a whisper inside you that’s getting louder and louder, saying “Do it. Go. Now. Don’t wait!”

The biggest piece of advice I can give is to listen to that whisper and TAKE ACTION. Enroll in that training, take that new job, move to that new city.

You may not know all the steps to take to get to where you want to go, but if you just keep taking the step right in front of you, then you’ll be shown the way.

What Is A Health Coach?

When it comes to food and exercise, most people know what to do, but just aren’t doing it!

A Health Coach is someone who makes it easy to follow-through with what you already know you should be doing.

A Health Coach is someone who inspires people to grow habits that support their well-being.

A Health Coach is a master of habit change.

As stated by Business Wire, employee’s number one request is to have an on staff Health Coach to help them achieve their personal wellness goals.

In our ground-breaking 6-Month Health Coach program we will teach you everything you need to know about nutrition PLUS the art and science of habit change so clients get real, lasting results. What this gives you is a structure that serves clients for life.

That’s not all…We’ve also spent years developing a proven business and marketing platform to launch your career as a Health Coach the right way so you can start seeing clients and making money before you graduate.

If you’ve been looking for that one unique, well-designed educational experience that will create a total breakthrough in the quality of your personal and professional life, then it’s no accident that you find yourself here.

From education, through transformation, to wildly successful career, we got you… every step of the way.

Click here to get program info and see exactly what you’ll learn in the 6-month professional certificate training.

What The Experts Have To Say About Health Coaching

According to the CDC, 86% of all health care dollars ($2.9 trillion and growing) are spent on chronic diseases and conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and arthritis. These are among the most common and costly of all health problems and they are preventable with habit change. Who will lead this movement of habit change? Health coaches.

5 Destinations To Scratch Your Adventure + Travel Bug

February 2, 2017

Dark Hedges, Ireland

British correspondent Lucy Parks reports with some inspiration on the following beautiful destinations just waiting to be explored. The world is filled with so many stunning landscapes.

Cape Town, South Africa

From hiking, biking and surfing, Cape Town has it all. The crown jewel of the city is, of course, Table Mountain National Park, which is only complemented by the surrounding landscapes that will take your breath away.

Cape town also offers a melting pot of cultures and religions, with Christians, Jewish, Muslim and Hindu people living in harmony in the quaint towns and villages. The best of Cape Town comes from the strength of the locals, who each have a unique story to tell, and will gladly tell it to a friendly ear. Learn more with the Cape Town guide.

Scottish Highlands, Scotland

One of the most beautiful destinations on the planet is the Scottish Highlands, which offers rolling green mountains, exquisite castles and beautiful lochs. While many cities across the UK have changed over the years, the Scottish Highlands continues to retain its rugged landscape, which will most likely remain unchanged in decades to come. The locals are also the embodiment of hospitality, and you will fall in love with the delicious food on offer at this fairy-tale destination. Just some of the highland areas you can explore are the Isle of Skye, Inverness and Fort William, to name but a few.

Cappadocia, Turkey  

Few destinations can quite compare to the beauty of Turkey’s Cappadocia, which offers stark savannas that offer remarkable panoramas you are unlikely to forget in a hurry. Due to the soft stone plains, many people have sought shelter underground, and tourists can now step inside the rock-cut churches as part of Goreme Open-Air Museum.

Cappadocia is a hiker’s haven, as you will feel a million miles away from the stresses of everyday life when you make your way across the orange valleys. You need to see it to believe it.

The Dark Hedges, Northern Ireland

Many people may recognise The Dark Hedges from the HBO hit TV show Game of Thrones, which is used as a fictional area in the Kingsroad. However, the trees are really based in Northern Island on the coast of the beautiful Antrim. The natural beauty really does look like something out of a fiction book, but the tunnel-tree avenue has been created by beech trees that were first planted in the 18th century.

Hvar Island, Croatia

How can you not fall in love with an island that offers approximately 2,274 hours of sunshine every single year? Hvar Island is a sun-worshipper’s paradise, as you can unwind by the poolside in one of the many luxurious hotels. You can also take a stroll along the gorgeous northern coastal towns of Jelsa and Stari Grad, and if money is not an issue, you can enjoy a trip on a stunning yacht to experience the island in all her glory. The island is also home to amazing vineyards, lavender fields and rocky, rugged peaks, as well as isolated coves that are synonymous with this underrated destination.

XX Lucy Parks.  Lucy has been working in the fashion industry for six years. A dedicated follower of all things fashion and beauty, she is passionate about new industry developments. Lucy is now a full time freelance fashion writer.

Who Needs a Man? Book a Mani-Pedi for “Gal”entine’s Day at MiniLuxe, Brentwood

MiniLuxe prides itself on providing surgical-grade hygienic and toxin-free nail services through employees (all women) who are empowered, fairly paid and truly cared for with health benefits, 401K plans, flexible leave policies and all the benefits of an office job. Can I get a YES KWEEN?! 

At MiniLuxe, clean is the culture. It’s not just about hygiene – it’s about taking clean to the next level. That means clean business, clean ethics and clean methodologies. It’s how they care for their team, products and customers – WORD. 

I support this TEN TIMES OVER!! With my hip replacements – one nail infection can literally KILL ME!!!     

As you may know, the nail services industry is often predatory and exploitative for the technicians, making MiniLuxe a pleasant anomaly. Once trained, employees are honed to have a serious career with MiniLuxe and offered stock options after 5 years with the nail studio.  However, being ethical doesn’t take away from MiniLuxe’s trendy, snazzy nail colors (their color runway is awesome!) and nail designs, such as the sharp nail look “RiRi” attributed to Rhianna and a more sober “Audrey” for Audrey Hepburn.


MiniLuxe recently opened its first location in LA after having ruled the Boston and Dallas markets for several years.  A day of relaxation and pampering with a MiniLuxe gift card would make the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for both couples as well as singles 

Want more – buy the trendiest, non-toxic nail polishes as gifts for your girlfriend or single friends – all the while supporting a nail salon that truly cares for the women who work there.

I cannot wait to try this place this weekend! Join me??   

MiniLuxe Brentwood

11961 San Vicente Blvd

Los Angeles, CA 90049

T.424-442-1630

The Tuck Room Tavern For Valentine’s Day

February 1, 2017

Aphrodisiacs are a substance that increases sexual desire so it is perfect for Valentine’s Day. A lot of people buy products like Spanish Fly Drops (spanishflydrops.com) to improve their sex life and add an extra spark to their relationship. Lots of studies have been carried out to show the beenfits of the substance so it’s very popular amongst those who have been in relationships for a while. This is why The Tuck Room Tavern and iPic Theaters is inviting guests to celebrate Valentine’s Day all weekend with a 6-Course Aphrodisiac Dining Experience, and a seductive lace mask gift for moviegoers seeing the new Fifty Shades Darker.

From Friday, February 10 – Tuesday, February 14, Chef Sherry Yard’s The Tuck Room Tavern, is serving up a specially crafted 6-course prix fixe dinner that is sure to tantalize all the senses with aphrodisiac-driven dishes. From a first course “Kiss” of Potato Aligot Popovers with shaved black truffles and Coconut-Curry Lobster Bisque, to a third course “Seduction” featuring Bucatini Carbonara with pancetta, parmesan and sage, to the sixth and final “Sweet Sensation” course of homemade Truffles, cookies and candies.

The Chef Sherry Yard also created an aphrodisiac cheat sheet with the top 10 most libido-enhancing foods featured on the menu – see the full list below!

The aphrodisiac dining experience is priced at $75/person$68 for iPic Sapphire, Gold and Platinum members (sign up at www.iPic.com) – with the option to add wine pairings for only $25/person.

Chef Sherry Yard’s Aphrodisiac Menu Cheat Sheet:

Black truffles: used by the ancient Romans to mimic the scent of male pheromones

Coconut: naturally increases blood flow, increasing desire

Lobster: historically linked to luxury, thus deeming it powerfully persuasive

Beet: believed to promote amorous feelings by ancient Romans

Salmon: contains vitamins known to boost sex drive

Mint: used by ancient Greeks to leave an aromatic impression on the breath to inspire kissing

Garlic: aids in optimal blood flow and stimulation

Mustard: used since the Middle Ages to increase desire through nerve stimulation

Asparagus: increases sex drive and hormone production

Champagne: scents replicate the delicate aromas of female pheromones

Guests looking for the full dinner-and-a-movie experience can head to iPic Theaters for a showing of the new Fifty Shades Darker film. During Valentine’s Day weekend, guests who purchase the limited-edition “Sweet Heart Chocolate Cake Push-Up Pops,” created by Guest Chef Ron Ben-Israel or “The Seductress” cocktail crafted by Master Mixologist Adam Seger will receive a complimentary lace masquerade mask.

DISNEY CHANNEL AND DISNEY XD STARS CELEBRATE SECOND ANNUAL DISNEY READS DAY AT GLENDALE GALLERIA DISNEY STORE: The official Disney Reads Day kick-off Saturday, Feb. 4, from 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.

January 30, 2017

The official Disney Reads Day kick-off Saturday, Feb. 4, from 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event  is hosted by a royal visitor from Avalor and will feature celebrities reading to children from the local Boys & Girls Club and store patrons.

Join the likes of celebrities Steven Spielberg, Kerry Washington, Pink, Viola Davis and others, to activate a one-for-one book donation by posting a “Shelfie” – a selfie with their favorite book – on Twitter or Instagram using #magicofstorytelling. For every book purchased at Disney Store or a participating retailer Disney will donate a book with the eventual aim of one million books donated.

Disney’s Magic of Storytelling campaign, an ongoing initiative aimed at inspiring imagination and a lifelong love of reading, comes to life on the second annual Disney Reads Day on February 4, 2017. Now through March 31, Disney will donate one book for every book purchased at Disney Store or a participating retailer. Participants can also activate a one-for-one book donation by posting a “Shelfie” – a selfie with their favorite book in front of a bookshelf – on Twitter or Instagram using #magicofstorytelling.

Encouraging families to drop everything, grab a book and read together or independently, Disney Reads Day is a multi-city celebration and will host its Los Angeles-area event at the Disney Store at the Glendale Galleria. A Disney “royal guest of honor” will welcome children from local Boys & Girls Clubs during the store’s opening ceremony. The surprise guest and stars from Disney Channel and Disney XD will lead live readings in-store all day.

The program kicked off this month with a PSA narrated by Emma Watson, star of The Walt Disney Studios’ upcoming film “Beauty and the Beast,” coming to theaters on March 17.

WHAT: Disney Reads Day, Feb. 4

WHERE: Disney Store at the Glendale Galleria

Glendale Galleria, 1152 Galleria Way

Glendale, CA 91210

Located on Level 1, near Food Court

WHEN:

9:45 AM: Opening Ceremony with “Royal Guest of Honor”

10:00 AM: Glendale Galleria/Disney Store opens

– First storytime with “royal guest”

– Will also read at 12 PM, 1 PM and 2 PM

– Disney Channel talent to read on half hour throughout rest of day.

ABOUT: The Magic of Storytelling campaign aims to inspire families’ imaginations,
cultivate a lifelong love of reading in kids, and bring books to underserved
communities across the country. Over the past 16 years, Disney has
donated 57 million books to First Book. Together with First Book, Disney
Publishing Worldwide and Disney|ABC Television Group are committed to
placing up to one million more books in the hands of children in need
across the country.

Preview YouTube video Magic of Storytelling by Emma Watson

Magic of Storytelling by Emma Watson