We recently connected with Rachael Gilbert and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Rachael thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

I was interning in an eating disorder center while in graduate school. The lead therapist was conducting a body image group session and I remember observing the group participants as they rolled their eyes and weren’t engaged in the activities. After the group, I asked the therapist why the group didn’t seem to receive the body image activities. She shared there aren’t many current resources available that address body image and many therapists find themselves piecing together activities. As I researched, I found what she shared to be true. I went on a mission to create a resource that infused spiritual principles with therapeutic modalities to help individuals struggling with their body image. While in graduate school, I researched and developed a six week body image group curriculum in my Advanced Group Counseling course. That curriculum has now been published as a combination tradebook and interactive workbook to help women tear down shame and insecurity to experience a body image renovation.

Here’s an excerpt about Image Restored:
Are you tired of being at war with your body—and your thoughts about your body? As a fitness instructor, Rachael Gilbert struggled with shame when she didn’t measure up to her dream body image. Then, as a licensed counselor, she realized how many of us bury the same painful insecurities. We need restoration from the inside out.

In Image RESTored, Rachael offers professional guidance, coloring pages, Scripture, prayers, journaling prompts, and teaching videos to help you experience true freedom. See your whole self in a new way as you learn:

• A biblical perspective on eating, fitness, and godly self-confidence.
• Tools for overcoming comparison and trauma.
• How to reframe stories that formed your attitude toward your body.
• Counselor-inspired strategies to help you appreciate how God made you.
• Ways to use thoughts and feelings so they help you rather than sabotage you.

Rich with spiritual and therapeutic insights, this Christian body image workbook calls us to experience healing and wellness that grounds us in God’s love and builds us up in truth.

Rachael, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Before becoming a counselor, I was a stay at home mom and group fitness instructor for over ten years. During this time, I started an online business and ministry as a writer, speaker, coach, and podcast host. I decided I needed further training to best help the people I was serving and returned to school to get my Masters of Marriage and Family Therapy. I now work as a counselor in our integrated health practice while continuing to serve my online community through Therapist Thoughts (a monthly digital newsletter), Image Restored, and the Real Talk with Rachael podcast. 

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

One of the best things I’ve done to build my reputation as an author, speaker, counselor, and business owner is to start and host my weekly show, Real Talk with Rachael. The show has grown my influence and my “know, like, trust” factor because people get to hear my voice and trust me on a professional and personal level. I highly recommend any entrepreneur to have some form of an online presence. My social media manager pulls clips from my podcast audio that we use on social media and my website.

Can you talk to us about your experience with buying businesses?

My husband and I purchased Amason Chiropractic Center over ten years ago when our girls were toddlers and I was pregnant with our son. We made many mistakes along the way but kept moving forward and learned from them rather than letting our mistakes define us as business owners. We have grown and adapted the practice into an integrated medical practice, serving thousands of patients in the DFW area. You can learn more at bbchealth.com

Contact Info:

• Website: www.rachaelgilbert.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/rachaeljgilbert
• Facebook: facebook.com/rachaeljoygilbert
• Other: imagerestoredbook.com bbchealth.com Real Talk with Rachael on apple: rachaelgilbert.com/apple

Image Credits
Riant Photography Emily Joy Lemus Kam Hunt