Much of the time these days, upon finding out that I am an independent Team Beachbody coach, people ask me, “When did you decide to make a change?” or “What made you want to get healthy, and lose weight?”
This past weekend, at Social Boom 2015, after answering this question to multiple new friends, it occurred to me that I had not “officially” documented my story anywhere on this blog! So, here I
am sharing my story with you, my tribe. š

The Wake-Up Call
In my day job, I was selected for an overseas assignment to the country of Qatar, which would include stops in Kuwait, Afghanistan, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. During this assignment, I would be living on, and traveling between military installations. Since technically, my position would be located in a “deployment” environment, I was required to undergo medical screenings at the naval base in Fort Worth.
At the end of my medical screening, after being weighed, poked, prodded, and had lots of blood taken, the corpsman asked me how long I had before I would be arriving at Fort Benning for deployment preparation… When I told him that was just a couple of weeks away, he warned me not to eat any large meals before then, because if I gained just a couple more pounds before my final medical pass at Benning, I wouldn’t be cleared for the overseas assignment.
I panicked. I made plans to starve myself. I was so scared! You see, the reason that I was so eager to “deploy” as soon as possible without any hindrance, was because I was miserable in my job. I was working in a high stress environment and I hated my job.
This led to terrible habits, such as eating at my desk, rushing to work without breakfast, munching on snacks from the convenience store in our building, ordering out for lunch, staying late and grabbing a drive through or takeout dinner.
I gained almost 90 pounds in 2 years working there.

When I got to Fort Benning, I had been pretty careful for those last couple of weeks, and luckily I was cleared for my assignment. HOORAY!
The Beginning of the Journey
Finally, a month after that first medical screening, I arrived in Qatar. By this time, I had decided that my time there would be spent focusing on my health. I was determined that I would come home healthier happier “new woman.”
It took me a while to acclimate to the different time zone, the incredibly hot weather, and the really high sodium in the free bottled water we were given.
A couple of months into my assignment, I began opting for my “1983 Chevrolegs” as the preferred mode of transportation around base. I no longer drove anywhere unless I needed to go off base for some reason. Walking and guzzling water became my daily exercise.
For the first few months, I saw some pretty decent progress just from the simple changes that I had made since I had arrived in Qatar. I was eating mostly baked, steamed, broiled, or grilled foods and LOTS of veggies in the DFAC (dining facility).
It also didn’t hurt that I was under absolutely zero stress whatsoever in that job, even though I was responsible for the financial reporting and analysis of stores in 3 different countries!
Those Darn Plateaus!
By the fifth month of my assignment, I had hit a plateau. I started googling for different workout plans that I could use with the weight machines in the gym. I felt pretty uncomfortable and incompetent in the gym, especially with everyone else being military personnel who were in great shape…I felt as if I stood out like a sore thumb.
One of the bad habits that had stuck with me, was that I still wasn’t consistently eating breakfast. Being a night owl, I didn’t like waking up early to go get breakfast. So, I would still eat SOME junky foods in place of a healthy breakfast. I’m sure this wasn’t helping me break through that plateau!
I eventually became interested in some sort of healthy effortless meal replacement. I didn’t want something full of soy-based ingredients, or any fillers, nor did I want any artificial flavors or colors in my breakfast. I had discovered the concept of “clean eating” and I just knew that if I could cover my bases with breakfast, the rest of the day would be easy!
Eureka!
During my late nights of poring over different meal replacement products and scanning ingredient labels, Googling ingredients and reading pages of research, I came across Shakeology.
I was pleasantly surprised at the ingredients and the nutrition facts, and I had seen it mentioned on social media, so I did a shoutout on Instagram for anyone who had used it to please comment and let me know about their experience thus far.
A couple of people contacted me, but the one who stood out was named Morgan. She was polite, friendly, unassuming, and certainly not pushy. She told me about her experience of using Shakeology in conjunction with a fitness regimen and how it had really helped her a lot.
We talked about my schedule, my goals and fitness level, and she mentioned Focus T25, which is a 10-week fitness program from Shaun T.
She offered up the idea of a challenge pack, which is a bundle including a fitness program and a month supply of Shakeology, for a deep discount of anywhere from $45 to $90 depending which fitness program is chosen for the bundle.

When I told Morgan that I wanted the Focus T25 challenge pack, she mentioned the coaching option. I hit the roof. No way did I want to coach anyone!! I was morbidly obese myself and struggling; I had no idea what I was doing – who would want to be my client?!
She went on to explain that most people actually would probably relate to me better than a supermodel-fit gal — but also that I didnāt have to actually coach anyone unless I wanted to! I could be a ācoachā in name only, just for the 25% discount if I wanted to keep using Beachbody products and keep drinking Shakeology. The cost was the same up front, whether ordering that challenge pack as a new coach, or as a new customer — and the 30 day money-back guarantee applied either way.
I slept on the decision, and the next day it occurred to me that one of two outcomes would occur:
A. I would be the āoldā lazy me, not use the workouts, and eventually return it and cancel my account or
B. I would do the program, and love it, and want to stick with it!
The answer was clear – I had nothing to lose, so I signed up for a coach account and ordered my Focus T25 challenge pack.
āAccidentalā Entrepreneur
By the time I came home from Qatar, I had lost about 40 pounds; everyone asked me what I had done to lose the weight & get healthier, and I was telling them my methods, sharing tips for healthy eating and exercises.
It dawned on me that I could actually share this journey with them and possibly BE a coach for real – what if I could make a business out of this thing after all?

Ever since I decided to be an active coach, Iāve hosted full āaccountability groupsā each month; my team and I have helped to change hundreds of lives through clean eating, consistent fitness, and a support community.
Additionally, Iāve made some of the best friends Iāll ever have, and Iāve created my own team of coaches who I am leading to their own successful businesses. My favorite part of coaching is the part where I get to help others!
Since I returned home from overseas, Iāve dabbled with a BUNCH of different Beachbody programs, and Iāve had a lot of fun. Iām about 63 pounds down and aiming for 100 eventually. My endurance is better than ever, and I feel so much happier.

If you are looking for guidance in your fitness journey, I would love to help. š
No matter your fitness level, your goals, or your schedule⦠There IS a way for you to achieve those dreams!!
Shoot me a message, even if youāre just looking for some tips & recipe ideas; I enjoy sharing what has worked for me!
In the meantime, stay positive and keep SMILING!! š
XOXO,
Coach Nat
Great to read your story Natalie, and so good that you took the decision to eat healthier, I also for a couple of years ate more and probably more greasy food and gained some +10 kg but luckily got on a diet a couple of years later and lost them again. š
This is a fantastic story and inspiring as well. It shows what we can accomplish when we decide to make a change!
Thanks for sharing Natalie, this is very inspiring! I went through a few very stressful years where I gained 50 pounds. The stressful years are past me and I’m making much better decisions now, but it’s much harder to lose those 50 lbs than it was to gain them!
Great Story. When it’s your time to get to a higher level in life, it is your time to shine. Late night eatings are dangerous. Happy that you overcame the unhealthy habit and today you’re helping others free themselves as well.
Awesome! Thank you for sharing your story!
I love your story- so inspiring! I’m so glad you found something that works for you and you look fantastic!
Awesome Story Natalie! Have a new found respect for you. Always great to have a “story” to share. May have to do something similiar as it’s been a while since I did that for myself. Thanks and continued successes and happiness! š
Thank you for sharing your story. Social Boom has had such an impact on all of us.
Where do I begin. So inspirational. Of course everyone would want to be on your team or coached by you. You have been there, walk the talk and understand. I also think you found yourself and your calling in this process and it is to make a difference in lives of others. You are doing that every day. Thank you so much for sharing your story and for using a photo of yourself in a necklace made by me.
Thank you for sharing your story with us, Natalie. It takes a lot of courage to post “before” pictures! Good for you!
That is fantastic! I am so proud of you and all you do, Natalie. Thank you for sharing your story. Were you active duty or civilian stationed in Qatar? I’ve had friends and family on both sides. I’m glad you were able to make changes you needed for your health and are now helping others do the same. It was wonderful to meet you in person. Your energy just radiates!
Holy moley sista.. I had no idea.. what an amazing story.. and love the Roz jewels too! š Great job and keep it up.
What a super story! And I agree that people who have “been there, done that” can be inspiring and motivating. Good for you for what you’ve accomplished!
You have suc heart in your writing! Thank you for sharing it.
An amazing story. Thank you for sharing your journey.
Fantastic success story! Just saw this on Twitter and glad I did. Feeling inspired:)
Hi Gary! Thanks for stopping by š I live to inspire and motivate others through personal anecdotes about my own struggles with imperfection & improvement š
So glad that you enjoyed this post!!