About
Hello, I'm Carrie Ehrlich!
I’m a former Corporate America Executive turned
Health & Wellness Coach. I went through a personal transformation that has inspired me to help other people
with their own transformations from surviving to thriving.
Background
I graduated from Purdue University as an Industrial Engineer and set my sites on Corporate America. I was focused on doing “all the right things” to nurture my career: started in a technical engineering role to gather a solid foundation, got an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, took on increasing levels of responsibility and leadership, changed companies as I needed
to grow new skills or learn new industries, became a road
warrior with 150+ nights away from home, got involved in industry trade groups, mentored junior team members, and served on various committees and charities. I got married, lived in downtown Chicago, maintained a closeness with my family, and had lots of friends. I worked hard and played hard.
Surviving
And I was exhausted. I wasn’t taking care of myself. I didn’t
think about what I ate…some days it was pizza for lunch and
fast food at the airport for dinner with coffee and full sugar
Coke to keep me going. I never “had time” to work out…at least that's what I told myself. I was always going to start my exercise program tomorrow. But, tomorrow would get filled up as I
would overschedule myself. I couldn’t sleep through the night.
I would wake up and my mind would just race with all the
things I was doing swirling around in my head.
I loved the adrenaline rush of my life but most of the time, I struggled with feeling overwhelmed by stress. I had continuous feelings of burn out, but I felt if I didn’t keep running on the hamster wheel, I would fall off, get hurt and never be able to get back on again. Most of my peers were living the same lifestyle that I was...that was the norm. I didn't really know what to do to make things better so nothing changed.
The big shake up
Then came 2018. The world that I had created blew up. My dad, my rock, and my mentor, was diagnosed with cancer and passed away after a courageous fight. My marriage ended; I had two emergency back surgeries, requiring time-off right after starting a new job. If this were not enough, my condo flooded and I had to live in a hotel for several months, waiting for the complete renovation of the condo. I kept praying and figured that God must have a different plan in mind as he certainly got my attention with all this change!
Transform
I bid 2018 farewell and started 2019 with renewed optimism that God did have a better plan for my life. And then with all the changes COVID brought in 2020, I started a very new lifestyle: working from home, not traveling, buying groceries & cooking healthy meals, taking walks & bike rides, living with more simplicity and far less stress. I was blessed with a new romance that flourished in this new world in which I found myself. I
knew I didn’t want to go back to my pre-2018 lifestyle.
My personal transformation was beginning.
Thriving
I wanted to move out of the hectic pace of cold Chicago and go somewhere warm and more laid back. My new romance blossomed into getting married and we moved to Florida. I experienced a bunch of health problems that led to a food intolerance diagnosis. I met with a health coach who helped me realize the impact chronic stress has on our health.
I was hungry to learn more about healthy lifestyles and enrolled in the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) where I studied a variety of dietary theories and practical lifestyle coaching methods. I went on to obtain certification from the National Board of Health & Wellness Coaching (NBC-HWC), which represents the profession's highest standard. While this certification is not currently required in order to practice health coaching, I wanted to have this extra credential to better serve my clients.
I have found my life's purpose in helping other people who struggle with similar stressful lifestyles. I'm not perfect but have certainly learned a thing or two that could help others avoid some of the pitfalls I went through.
We are not meant to just survive.
We are meant to thrive.
Credentials
Individuals with the NBC-HWC credential have demonstrated a high level of knowledge, practical skills, and professionalism in the practice of health and wellness coaching. They have undergone rigorous training and assessment to meet the industry standards set by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching in partnership with the National Board of Medical Examiners.
IIN’s Coaching Intensive Practicum is a blended online training for health coaches on a professional path to enhance their coaching skills. The course centers on coaching practice and feedback through the lens of the NBHWC core competencies.
This badge designates that its holder has graduated from Integrative Nutrition's Health Coach Training Program. They have demonstrated an ability to understand and utilize a wide range of dietary and nutrition theories, as well as develop business and coaching skills to practice in a variety of settings. They have been trained to educate and guide clients to make behavioral changes resulting in improved nutrition, dietary habits, and physical ability and overall greater health and wellness.