One on one with Jen Broxterman, RD CEO Prosper Nutrition
Sep 11, 2024
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Jen Broxterman, a registered dietitian and CEO of Prosper Nutrition, shares innovative methods like the 'hot air balloon game' for tracking quality meals without calorie counting. Highlighting the importance of mindset, she discusses how curiosity can drive sustainable changes and emphasizes removing guilt from eating habits. Jen’s personal journey overcoming stage three ovarian cancer informs her compassionate coaching style. She also stresses the need for a supportive environment and personalized coaching approaches to foster healthier relationships with food.
Jen Broxterman introduces the hot air balloon game to simplify nutrition tracking by categorizing food choices without calorie counting.
She emphasizes the importance of fostering a supportive coaching environment that prioritizes self-compassion and curiosity over judgment.
Broxterman's personal journey as a cancer survivor profoundly shapes her coaching philosophy and drives her passion for helping others.
Deep dives
Introduction of a Prominent Guest
The episode features Jen Broxerman, a registered dietitian, nutrition coach, and cancer survivor, who discusses her background and approach to nutrition coaching. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration among coaches in the fitness industry, moving away from the competitive mindset to create a supportive community. Broxerman has worked with various high-profile clients, including athletes and NHL players, which showcases her expertise in the field. This segment sets the tone for a deeper exploration into her unique perspective as a cancer survivor and her passion for helping others achieve a healthier relationship with food.
Innovative Coaching Techniques
Broxerman introduces the concept of gamifying nutrition tracking, particularly for clients who feel overwhelmed by macro-counting. One key tool she discusses is the 'hot air balloon game,' which focuses on assessing food choices without the stress of strict measurements. This method encourages clients to categorize their meals as green, yellow, or red based on quality, quantity, and personal goals, allowing for a more intuitive understanding of their eating habits. Through this game, clients can track their meals while fostering a positive and non-judgmental approach to nutrition.
Addressing the Mindset Around Food
A significant part of Broxerman's philosophy is centered around changing the negative narratives that clients often hold about their food choices. She introduces the concept of self-compassion and encourages clients to approach their eating habits with curiosity rather than judgment. By reframing mistakes in their diet as learning opportunities, clients can relieve stress and guilt associated with their food decisions. This shift in mindset ultimately allows for more sustainable changes and a positive relationship with food.
Personal Journey Through Cancer
Broxerman shares her harrowing personal journey as a cancer survivor and the profound impact it has had on her life and coaching. After years of misdiagnosis, she received a stage three ovarian cancer diagnosis, radically changing her outlook on life. Through visualization and a strong focus on nutrition, she reshaped her mental and physical health, channeling her experiences into her coaching practice. This transformative experience not only fueled her passion for health but also led to the development of her certification program for coaches.
Creating a Compassionate Coaching Environment
The episode concludes with a conversation about the importance of a compassionate coaching environment, where coaches support rather than criticize their clients. Broxerman explains how her background equips her to be more empathetic towards those facing challenges, particularly in areas like emotional eating. She reflects on her experiences with the medical community, choosing to advocate for other patients by sharing her story rather than seeking retribution. The emphasis on kindness and understanding in coaching allows for better client outcomes and a rewarding coaching experience.
In this conversation, Jeb and Jen discuss a method called the hot air balloon game, which is a form of tracking without counting calories. It involves filling in a chart with different colored squares to represent the quality of meals and snacks. The goal is to have more green squares (representing high-quality choices) and fewer yellow and red squares (representing okay and indulgent choices). They also talk about the importance of mindset and curiosity in making sustainable changes, as well as the need to remove guilt and shame from the equation. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the value of finding what works for each individual and building a supportive environment for healthy habits. Jen Broxterman, RD shares her approach to coaching, which focuses on curiosity and client-centeredness. She emphasizes the importance of taking a 10,000-foot view of clients' lives, considering all the elements that impact their health and well-being. She encourages coaches to be open to trying different approaches and to give clients permission to experiment and change course. Jen also discusses her certification program, which helps coaches enhance their skills and tools to better serve their clients. She shares her personal journey of overcoming stage three ovarian cancer and how it has shaped her coaching and perspective on life.
Coaches: grab your free resources from Prosper Nutrition here
If you are interested in the Prosper Nutrition Certification click here
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
03:04 The Hot Air Balloon Game: A New Approach to Nutrition Coaching
13:35 Tracking Without Counting: The Benefits of the Hot Air Balloon Game
19:11 Using Motivational Interviewing and Powerful Questions in Nutrition Coaching
25:23 The Power of Curiosity, Kindness, and Honesty in Mindset and Behavior Change
38:22 Coaching with Curiosity and Client-Centered Approach
40:57 From Taskmaster to Compassionate Coach
46:31 Enhancing Coaching Skills with Jen's Certification Program
54:17 Lessons from Jen's Experience with Ovarian Cancer
01:13:23 Living Each Day with Intention and Appreciation
01:14:57 Investing in Personal Development as a Coach
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