The Food Coach Philosophy
I’m Tzabia – nutritionist, life coach, weight loss specialist, and the person behind The Food Coach®. I founded The Food Coach® knowing that there are so many smart, capable people out there who are stumped by the challenge of getting (and staying) at their ideal weight and optimal health. Evidence from my own journey, my work with thousands of clients, and studies in nutrition, neuroscience, natural healing and creativity make it clear that it is not just about calories, carbs, fats, proteins. Nor is it about the perception that we can will our body into submission. We are holistic beings and we won’t meet our goals for optimal health if we treat our bodies as separate from our minds, hearts and souls. In a nutshell, The Food Coach® is about finding connection to ourselves, our body, our food, the earth, and to conscious awareness of our choices. It is NOT about judgment, a single “right diet” mindset, or quick fixes.
Personal Journey
Over 40 years, I’ve acted as a guinea pig to find methods to lose weight, heal digestive issues, eczema, headaches, and joint pains. I’ve intimately observed my relationship with food, different types of nutritional ‘philosophies’ and healing health issues through varied forms of nourishment. I was 26 when I lost the 20 pounds that I’d carried since my early teen years. I didn’t lose it from going on a diet - it was from finding and pursuing my passion (photography, free dance). From there, a mass movement of healing took place over the next 20 years. Food, as much as I loved it, became a secondary player in my life instead of my best companion. I didn’t know it then, but that was also the catalyst to what became my Food Coach body of work.
Professional Experience
I worked for 8 years in Toronto’s financial district as the in-house nutritionist at The Sport Medicine Clinic at the Toronto Athletic Club. I also lead hundreds of seminars and group programs for the major Canadian banks, law firms and corporations for 12 years.
Then it was time for me to walk my talk in a bigger way. For me to be in optimal health, I needed to get back to a simpler life, one ripe with nature. I moved my office to my home, where I coached live and virtually for years. In 2019 (just before COVID hit), my partner Barry and I sold our beautiful house and took off on an adventure throughout Canada and the US in our vintage Airstream. We have since sold the Airstream, but I continue to do my work, coach, live and make amazing food from whatever home and kitchen that we find ourselves in as we travel. In 2022, we bought a home overlooking the sea in Baja California Sur. We return to Canada every summer and even when I am in Mexico, I coach my clients from Toronto and all over the continent. Such is the digital world.
