The Institute for Integrative Nutrition: Your FAQs

Institute for Integrative Nutrition: Your FAQs

I get so many questions about my experience at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN), so I’m putting together a little FAQ page about it here.

With my mom (also an IIN graduate) after the Hamptons Marathon

 How did you learn about Integrative Nutrition? 
When I first moved to NYC I worked in Marketing/ PR. I learned about the school through a client who had graduated from the program. At the time I was living in a crappy apartment in Brooklyn, right next to a KFC (yes you could smell the chicken) and across the street from a car repair shop with loud drilling noises at all hours of the night. Oh, and downstairs was a car service with a red neon sign that shined right into my bedroom! The upside is that my rent was only $600. That was a huge blessing, because it meant I had enough money to make monthly tuition payments for Integrative Nutrition!!! I enrolled in the school within a week of learning about it. I had always been interested in health & wellness, but I had struggled with dieting/ obsessing about food. When I learned about the school, I saw an opportunity to channel my interest into something more positive. I loved the school’s approach and I knew the program was for me. And don’t worry – I soon got a better apartment too!  

How did you get started in the field of health and wellness? 
When I first enrolled in the program, I didn’t plan to make a career change. After graduating from Integrative Nutrition, I worked for the school for 2 years in their marketing department. During that time, I kept making changes to my own health, and I started feeling better and better. I had some coaching clients on the side. But I got antsy to get out from behind the scenes and coach full-time! I took 2 months to travel (from Russia to Thailand by train, bus, boat and camel) and then I started working with Dr. Lipman, where I’m currently seeing patients at the Eleven Eleven Wellness Center in NYC.

Were you happy with your education at the school?
Yes! Very happy. It’s hard to give a short answer for this one. My experience at the school totally changed the trajectory of my life. The curriculum is strong in both nutrition and in personal growth, and that’s a really powerful combination. My mom went to the school after me and now she’s running around like a superwoman! In addition, there is a strong business-building component to the education, which helps you to actually start a coaching practice.

Learning a range of dietary theories has served me very well in my work with patients. And learning directly with the world’s leading experts in nutrition – Mark Hyman, Andrew Weil, David Katz, Deepak Chopra – was totally thrilling and inspiring. These guys are my heroes.

Integrative Nutrition is on a mission to improve health and happiness around the world. Becoming part of this movement and community has brought a level of depth, meaning and purpose into my life that I simply could not have anticipated. There is a simple truth that when you eat better, you feel better, and you can have a bigger impact in the world. When you let that sink in, it’s a game-changer!

Are you pleased with the level of credibility you have as a graduate of Integrative Nutrition?
Yes, I’ve been impressed that my credentials are so well-received. The school has a great reputation, our graduates are doing amazing work, and the field of health coaching is getting more & more attention as a solution to the major epidemic of preventable diseases that we’re facing.

The education I got was a great starting point, and now I continue my education. I go to conferences, I read dozens of nutrition books each year (right now I’m up to my neck in “Digestive Wellness” which is like an encyclopedia and “Dr. Neal Barnard’s Program for Reversing Diabetes”), I do trainings, and I learn a lot on the job. I’m just really passionnate about this work, so I like to learn more. I think my passion and knowledge shows through, and that gives me more credibility.

Can you tell me about the Distance Learning format?   
Yes, I worked at the school when we launched Distance Learning, and I’m a big believer in the distance format. I know that the school has made it a huge priority to build community and create a really dynamic learning experience. And I know that students get an iPad, which is awesome. However, I have not personally completed the distance program, so I’m happy to connect you to the right person with more specific q’s about distance learning format, schedule and curriculum. Just let me know!

I’m very happy to answer your questions about IIN – contact me here.
You can download the gorgeous, inspiring course catalog by clicking the catalog below.

What do you get when you enroll in IIN? 

And remember…food changes everything!

I hope that was helpful — feel free to reach out with any questions!

Love,
Kerry