We were lucky to catch up with Heather Fletcher recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Heather thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How’s you first get into your field – what was your first job in this field?

My first job in the health and wellness field was as a physical therapist tech. I initially thought I wanted to be a physical therapist, so to qualify for school, you must have a certain amount of hours working in the field. I worked in a nursing home with the patients assisting the therapists with their treatments. The patients were either bedridden or had suffered falls inhibiting their mobility. The one thing that helped me decide I did not want to be a physical therapist was the stories from the aging patients and what they wished they would have done when they were younger. I knew then I wanted to be on the preventative side versus treating the problem.

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

I have a masters in exercise physiology with a concentration in chronic disease and obesity and a bachelor’s in health and physical activity. I’ve held many positions in the health and wellness world, from a strength and conditioning intern to a chronic disease manager for a health insurance company. The central overarching theme in many of those positions was the need for education and preventative health. Being an African American, I see many people in my community getting sick and dying from preventive lifestyle-related conditions. The main thing they lack is education on how to eat well and move more. I saw the health disparity gap and decided to do something about it.

I created my blog, fitfoodielife.com, and platforms located on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest @heatehrfitfoodie, to educate my community and others on a sustainable healthy lifestyle. The main problem I want to solve is teaching people that being healthy does not have to be difficult and you can find easy ways to fit it into your lifestyle. I show people how I manage my healthy lifestyle while enjoying the things I love, like great restaurants, travel, and hobbies. It’s all about balance.

Even more, so recently, I was diagnosed with a rare congenital heart condition. This gives me a new avenue to be an advocate for congenital heart disease in women and raise awareness for those with similar conditions and help them feel like they have someone who supports them. Showing people that being diagnosed with the condition that you have no control over is not something to set you back but pushes you forward to taking charge of your health.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

I think seeking lifelong knowledge is how to succeed in health and wellness. I am constantly researching and learning from my peers about the ever-changing philosophies and research on the human body concerning health and fitness. When dealing with people’s health, it is essential to give credible, researched information. I make sure that I thoroughly research my advice and provide sources to support what I am saying where needed. If you do not have a degree in the area, you may consider getting a certification to show that you took the time to learn your field and be an accurate resource to your audience and clients.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I am an authentic resource to people who identify with me. I try to display the facts and be honest with my audience and those who visit my site and pages. I am still working to build my reputation, but it is essential for me to show up as my true self and not a fantasized version of a healthy lifestyle. That means practicing what I preach and being vulnerable. When I was diagnosed with my heart condition, I felt I could not continue teaching others about their health without being transparent about mine. It shows people that although I practice a healthy lifestyle, I am not perfect, but it doesn’t change how I will continue to work on myself daily.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thefitfoodielife.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherfitfoodie/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heatherfitfoodie
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-fletcher-38952715/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/HFitFoodie
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherfitfoodie

Image Credits
Main photo and 1st photo: Endorphinz Media Photo: 2,5, and 6 Christina Jones Photo Photo 3: Prasad Siva,Shoot Me Lisboa Photo 4: Laura Martinez