We were lucky to catch up with Jackie Hackett recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jackie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

First and foremost, while I may not be unique in my practice and teachings, the nutrition philosophy and functional medicine approach I embrace diverge significantly from societal and corporate healthcare standards.

In today’s world, societal norms tend to fixate on the ‘thin ideal.’ Much of healthcare and media relentlessly focus on weight, often tying people’s worth to their body size. We’re bombarded with the notion that shedding just a few pounds will solve all our problems. It’s no surprise that the ‘wellness’ industry has ballooned into a 72 billion-dollar behemoth. Yet, despite the plethora of shakes, pills, detoxes, and supplements, our country’s health continues to decline.

What I’ve observed is that conventional medicine frequently rushes to prescribe medication without delving into crucial aspects of health like nutrition, stress, and relationships. Even many Western medicine doctors, including GI specialists, often overlook the vital connection between gut health and our overall well-being, encompassing mood, energy levels, sleep, weight, and mental health.

My journey led me away from the confines of hospital politics and the influence of big pharma. It became evident that to genuinely help people transform their lives, I needed the freedom to step outside these boundaries. Today, I have the privilege of significantly improving the lives of those I work with, thanks to a patient-centered approach that values listening and delving deep to heal traumas.

Together, we embark on an exploration of the complex relationship between individuals and food, a connection interwoven with culture, community, traditions, and upbringing. My holistic approach to nutrition and movement considers every facet, recognizing that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. I’m an advocate of intuitive eating, a self-care framework and nutrition philosophy that fosters a profound connection with one’s body.

Through intuitive eating, individuals learn to trust their bodies and become more attuned to their unique nutritional and movement needs. This approach isn’t about quick fixes; it’s about nurturing lasting, meaningful changes. By empowering people to reclaim their relationship with food, I help them live healthier, happier lives.

So, when it comes to my practice and philosophies, what sets me apart is the unwavering commitment to break free from the conventional norms and embrace a holistic, individualized approach. It’s about transforming lives, one mindful, intuitive choice at a time.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

A little bit about me– I live in Venice with my fiance and dog. I love to play basketball and travel the world to explore other cultures and music. One of my life goals is to snowboard on as many mountains around the world as I can. I’m passionate about helping individuals cultivate a healthy relationship with food, body, and overall well-being.

My journey into this industry was deeply personal and transformative. As someone who once navigated the maze of diets, fads, and societal pressures surrounding body image and health, I understand firsthand the challenges many face in finding true wellness and contentment. I became a personal trainer 7 years ago after I stopped playing sports and missed the intensity and consistency of movement.

I’ve always been fascinated by the intricate connection between nutrition, movement, mindset, and overall health. In college I had digestive issues that no Doctors had answers to so I started to research nutrition on my own. This curiosity led me to explore a holistic approach to wellness, one that transcends the conventional, often weight-centric, standards perpetuated by society. I knew there had to be a more compassionate, effective way to help people live their healthiest, happiest lives.

Today, I offer a range of products and services centered around intuitive eating, a self-care framework, and nutrition philosophy designed to help individuals reconnect with their bodies and make mindful, empowering choices. Whether through virtual coaching, workshops, or content on platforms like Instagram, my goal is to empower clients and followers to rediscover their innate wisdom when it comes to nourishment.

One of the primary problems I solve for clients is helping them break free from the relentless cycle of dieting and body dissatisfaction. Together, we work on healing their relationship with food, overcoming past traumas, and addressing gut health, stress, and self-image—all factors that profoundly impact overall well-being.

What sets me apart from others is my unwavering commitment to stepping outside the box of conventional healthcare and wellness standards. I left the confines of hospital politics and the influences of big pharma because I believe that true transformation goes beyond quick fixes. I’m here to nurture lasting, meaningful changes that honor each individual’s unique journey.

One of my proudest achievements is witnessing the incredible transformations of clients like Traci, who regained physical strength and pain-free movement after years of injuries, or Sam, who improved his sleep apnea by focusing on his gut health, all the while without relying solely on weight loss. Their stories reflect the power of a holistic, intuitive approach to wellness.

What I want potential clients and followers to know is this: I’m here to guide you on a journey of self-discovery, helping you build a harmonious relationship with your body and food. My work is rooted in empathy, patience, and the understanding that one size does not fit all. You have the innate wisdom to make choices that support your well-being, and I’m here to support and empower you every step of the way.

So, welcome to my world of intuitive eating, mindful movement, and holistic well-being. Together we can embrace health on your terms, one intuitive choice at a time.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

I was always a personal trainer on the side, even when I worked full time as a trainer at Equinox, I saw my main job as a server in a restaurant. While I went to grad school I did training plus serving and bartending. Then I received my Masters Degree and started my first big girl career role as a Dietitian, and I still did personal training on the side. It was the Fall of 2019 when I first heard about online coaching. Little did I know, the timing was also perfect because COVID hit not too long after and I lost many of my in person clients. It was challenging to work full time in a hospital in the ICU in the middle of COVID and also try to build an online business. I took my time with it– building out my Instagram and Facebook, making content, showing up day in and day out and gaining one follower in what felt like forever. The hardest part was going LIVE on Facebook and being afraid to not say something stupid or “mess up”. This is where I learned imperfect action and that doing it, whether it was perfect or not in my eyes will always be better than living in fear and holding yourself back.

Over the years I continued to create content and grow my following as well as my client base, all while still working full time, but now as an outpatient Dietitian at Kaiser. And all while still training clients in person both before and after work. My clientele grew to a point that I could no longer take anyone on, if I wanted to maintain my sanity at least. I saved up what I felt was enough to get me through a couple months if everything failed and I didn’t get a single new client. Then I thought long and hard. My parents did not understand the appeal of being an entrepreneur. There’s no 401K, no health insurance, no PTO and no stability?! I was raised to believe that we had to stay in the system where you work really really hard, retire and then die. You go to school, get good grades, go to a good college and get a good paying job with benefits.. whatever that meant. I was never taught there was another way and to be honest I didn’t really even know what an entrepreneur was until I met my now fiance who is an entrepreneur and owner of multiple businesses.

I weighed the pros and cons and decided to take the leap. I will also add, up until a few months prior to this, Kaiser had been my dream job. Although it felt like I was giving up a lot to go all in on Hackett Health, what I gained from doing such far surpassed anything I ever could have dreamed of!

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

I wish I could say it’s been from paid ads and marketing, but honestly the best source of clients has been through referrals. Referrals are the best leads anyway because off the bat there is a layer of trust. If your friend or family member can vouch for their coach, then it’s usually a good sign. This is why client testimonials are so powerful and important. If someone asks me to leave a review now I’m much more willing to get it done because I understand the value of them!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hackett.health/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hacketthealth/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jhackettRDN
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelynhackettrdn/

Image Credits
Johnathan Collins