Omaha, NE

402-547-9816

marissa.mcmillin@gmail.com

How did you feel about your health before you started working with Marissa?

Before talking with Marissa, I experienced headaches almost daily. I think it had to do with my “soda dependency.” Whenever I had a headache, I would take ibuprofen, and have a soda. I think the caffeine and sugar played a big part in resolving my headaches. (Of course, I think they also had a role in creating the headaches in the first place, but I did not want to admit that to myself.) Overall, I felt sluggish. I was tired a lot, and frustrated with my weight. I also felt like I was sort of addicted to soda. I craved it terribly, and I would become irritable or frustrated if I didn’t have a soda for a day or so. Things are definitely different now.

Describe your experience going through the six-month program.

During the six-month program, Marissa would begin by educating me on an area of nutrition/health, and providing me with some information on the topic. My job was to integrate that into my life, (slowly if needed, or at my own pace) and Marissa was there to talk to, as she guided me through the changes. I didn’t have to stop eating or drinking certain things, rather I was slowly adding other things into my diet, leaving less room for the junk my body didn’t need. As I noticed changes in my body and the way I felt after adding in certain foods, Marissa was able to explain to me why I was experiencing certain changes, and I could literally feel my body getting healthier as time passed.

What did you find most helpful with this approach?

A combination of factors made this approach successful for me. My bi-monthly calls with Marissa helped tremendously. Talking to her made me feel like I had something to look forward to (a new food group to add to my diet, a chat about how the past week had been and/or someone to be accountable to, regarding my food choices). Another thing that was great about this approach is that I wasn’t eating anything weird. I didn’t have to go on a crash diet, or a temporary food-trend. I was just eating normal foods. I also didn’t have to give up my regular foods/drinks immediately; rather they were slowly pushed out of my diet, as new foods were added in. This program worked with my schedule.

What is the main difference between who you were before you did the program versus who you are now?

I’m actually a much healthier and happier person. I no longer feel like a slave to sugar and soda. I don’t drink soda anymore, and I no longer suffer from daily headaches. Actually, I rarely have headaches now. I also cook more than before. I feel fresher, inside and out. I’ve received so many compliments from friends and co-workers, stating that they see significant changes in me. People have told me my skin and hair looks great! They’ve also told me I have great color in my face—the changes are truly wonderful. More than anything, I don’t feel sluggish like I used to—rather I’m more energetic, and I feel healthy. (Oh, and did I mention I’ve lost weight—and still losing?!)

Why would you recommend this program to someone else? Who would you recommend this program to?

I urge people to try this program because I believe it can benefit everyone. I know it has improved my health greatly, and it’s easy because you can add in foods to your own degree. You don’t have to do anything drastic or extreme. Many people I know have shown an interest in the program based on the changes they see in me! I would recommend this program to anyone who wants to improve their health. I noticed many changes over a very short period of time. I think the changes are also an inspiration to keep going. Now I’m not embarrassed at the grocery store (I used to feel ashamed, drinking all that soda, etc.), and I know I’ve added years back to my life! People are all talking about saving the Earth now, and being environmentally friendly—we should be friendly to ourselves at the same time, and eat the things bodies are intended to eat. . . the foods they truly need.

Individual Health Counseling Program:

60 minute One-on-One counseling sessions – each session includes discussion of client’s progress, information regarding a specific health topic, recipes, food samples, self-care products, food and primary food recommendations and action steps.* (usually bought as a package of 2 or more)

*phone counseling available as well for busy people and clients outside the Omaha metro area

Group Health Counseling Programs:

Four or more clients meeting for 90 minute counseling sessions either once or twice per month; each session includes discussion of clients’ progress, information around several specific health topics according to clients’ needs/goals, recipes, food samples, self-care products, food and primary food recommendations and action steps, as well as the comfort of a community atmosphere. (available as a 3-month or 4-month program)

Kitchen Makeover:

Sifting through the cabinets and refrigerator to get rid of unhealthy foods to make space for new exciting foods in your life! You’ll get easy recipes you can cook up quickly!

Health Food Store Tour:

Learning how to navigate the grocery store to make healthy, delicious choices!

Personalized in-home cooking classes:

Learn how to prepare and cook several healthy, delicious meals in your own kitchen and cultivate the skills to continue on your own!

Customized workshops:

Is your office, school, church, gym, hospital, club or group interested in learning more about holistic health and preventative wellness? Contact me today to arrange a customized workshop that targets your group’s specific concerns and goals.

Individual Yoga Classes:

Do you find yourself feeling unsure of how to consistently manage stress? 1 and ½ hour one-on-one Hatha Yoga session customized for your specific health concerns, priorities and goals with an emphasis on relaxation, breathe, flexibility, strength and balance.

Growing up in Omaha, I was a competitive gymnast for most of my childhood.  An acute awareness of my bones, muscles and the way they worked together was constantly impressed upon me through gymnastics.  Meanwhile, my mother had my brothers and I experimenting with a strict macrobiotic diet.  While I naturally felt rebellious towards such restriction and limitation as a child, I did learn a lot about the connection between what we eat and how we feel.  I began to realize that eating certain things, especially sugar, did not help my performance in the gym.

Negotiating serious health problems had a major impact.

After several years of unfair treatment towards my physical health in college, my body finally spoke to me.  I didn’t realize it at the time but the chronic illness that ensued turned out to be a mixed blessing.  I gained compassion for those who suffer from health problems. and simultaneously, I began to educate myself around alternative forms of healing.  The doctors I was seeing weren’t offering me any helpful insight or treatment and I was interested in looking at the deeper root of the problem.  I knew I was out of balance and knew that it was more than a physical issue – I had been stressed for months, wasn’t sleeping well, worried constantly about never getting better and was restricting my diet right and left in order to narrow down what was wrong.  I was unhappy in every area of my life.

The road to health was revealed.

Finally, I saw an Ayurvedic doctor who was able to locate my specific imbalance and help me to find a holistic approach to healing myself.  We worked on my diet, my stress, my relationship and my career – all the areas that needed help.  Two months later, after changing my cooking habits and learning how to be compassionate with myself, I was stronger than ever and the illness was gone.

My interests began to connect.

I went to Bryn Mawr College and graduated in 2003 majoring in Political Science, and had written my senior thesis using feminist theory to explore body image issues and eating disorders.  I knew I was interested in women’s relationships to their bodies and to food and also in holistic healing.  When I found the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in 2006, I knew that it was the right school for me.  We studied all the different dietary theories from traditional to modern, from East to West, from fad to trend.  We also addressed health from a new, holistic perspective – healthy relationships, fulfilling careers, enjoyable exercise and nourishing spirituality are all just as important as what you put into your body.

I am building the most amazing career.

I graduated from IIN in 2007 with a diploma from the University of Columbia’s Teacher’s College as a Certified Holistic Health Counselor and also a member of the American Association for Drugless Practitioners.  As a continuation of my interest in holistic health, I completed the Yoga Teacher Training Program at the Omaha Yoga and Bodywork Center in Omaha in 2008.  I enjoy weaving what I learned about yoga and meditation into my health counseling practice.

My clients are incredible people that continue to inspire me.

I find that most of my clients are intelligent, interesting, fabulous people that have found themselves feeling a bit stuck in one or several areas of their lives.  They have tried everything when it comes to food and dieting and still feel confused about how to get healthy.  They are looking for a new approach and excited to have someone to support them along the way.

Most modern diets insist on rigid and restrictive food regiments that fail to recognize your individuality and therefore, are difficult to maintain long-term.  Such temporary solutions do nothing to help you sustain permanent health and happiness nor do they support the body’s instinctive ability to reach balance. Working together, we will slowly introduce whole foods and healthful activities to your life.  As you start to feel better, these practices have a natural tendency to take hold and gradually help you let go of the less healthful ones.

By bringing awareness to the connection between how you eat and how you feel, your physical health will improve and you will begin to notice transformations in other areas of your life such as your work, your relationships and the way you take care of yourself.  Your natural inclination will shift towards foods and activities that make you feel better, and you will make time in your life for those things that truly inspire and nourish you.

In our first consultation we will spend a full hour talking about you.  We will discuss how your current diet and lifestyle are working for you, identify your specific health concerns and priorities, and then determine how I can help you accomplish your goals. We will be able to examine how well we work together and if this is the right path for you. Even this first session will reveal how a holistic, individualized approach will make a serious difference in your life.

I’d love to hear from you.