My health collapsed in 2012 due to a disabling and debilitating auto immune condition with a host of symptoms from chronic tachycardia, extreme weight loss, pain in my entire body, severe weakness and debilitating GI symptoms. My life completely altered as a result. Since that time, I have been on a healing journey and like many, found myself going from doctor to doctor and every major medical center in southern California taking with me all my medical tests. With each visit I felt overwhelmed, sad, over looked and angry because my symptoms were dismissed. After all, I am a woman and my symptoms were all in my head is basically what I was told after being given prescriptions for anxiety and depression that I immediately threw out. It took 3 years for me to finally obtain a diagnosis through a rheumatologist. Unfortunately however, there is no cure and the only offer is “treatment” for symptoms with highly toxic drugs. This left me searching for years to find the right answers – a holistic treatment that did not treat symptoms but instead healed my body.
In 2018 many prayers were answered when I came across an article on Nell Stephenson. For some reason, my instinct immediately told me this is the person that will understand me completely, shares my philosophy, has great knowledge and is going to help me HEAL! I immediately contacted Nell and in her very busy schedule she found the time to set up our first appointment after completing a thorough questionnaire. From the first call I finally breathed a sigh of relief as we discussed my history, symptoms, life style and most importantly what I ate. I knew I had found a kindred spirit of great intelligence, wisdom, experience, empathy, compassion, strength, optimism and heart. We have been on a healing journey together since 2018 and the improvement in my condition is enormous. I am finally able to eat a healthy diet without going into what was chronic tachycardia, enjoy food once again; gain the much needed weight, strength and a feeling that light was finally coming through. With all these improvements I am able to participate in activates again. It is a slow journey to heal because it takes a long time for the body to break down. With the right partner, patience, commitment, willingness to take charge, optimism and an attitude of gratitude it can be done. I am now 65 so am unsure if I will return to the stamina of younger years but the improvement has been heaven sent.
I am consistently amazed at Nell’s keen instinct and incredible knowledge in so many areas. Nell has provided me with highly valuable information in so many different parts of my life.
As I always tell Nell, she has been a true blessing, an angel sent from above that came into my life! I can never thank Nell enough for all her efforts to help me consistently and with great support throughout our work together! Bless you dear Nell and your beloved family!
Being given the tools for self-empowerment is the greatest gift. Nell is all about self- empowerment!
- Pamela Kielbauch, Retired Director of Administration in Elementary Education, Los Angeles
The first Global Leadership Symposium of the Airbus A320 Family Final Assembly Lines comprising teams from China, US, France and Germany was dedicated towards Healthy Leadership. We have worked on the Leadership, Stress Resilience, Life Style, Fitness and Nutrition. Nell has hold a fantastic and motivating key note and moreover she organized the nutrition for the whole full two days event to practice the sensation of healthy and good tasting food. It was the first time we’ve tried such a holistic approach. The result was a positive surprise. The majority of the managers changed something in their live. Thank you, Nell!“
– Alexander Dahm, CEO Airbus, Hamburg, Germany
Nell Stephenson is an author, accomplished triathlete and runner, nutrition authority, fitness trainer, lifestyle adviser and business consultant. She’s studied under Loren Cordain, PhD, widely considered the world’s leading authority on Paleo eating. And she is an accomplished triathlete and runner who lives and breathes the lifestyle she so enthusiastically describes in this book. She has no equal as both an accomplished athlete and authority on the positive effects of a Paleo diet for an active lifestyle. She walks (and runs) the walk.
Whether your goal is to learn more about Paleo eating, to add some variety to your already healthy Paleo diet or to better match your food choices with your daily exercise, you’ve come to the right place. Nell is a proven authority on all and will gently guide you as she shares her knowledge and personal experiences about eating and exercise.
-Joe Friel, Endurance Sports Coach, Author
Nell is a shining star in the ancestral health/Paleo wellness community. I highly recommend anyone seeking nutritional or wellness guidance to work directly with Nell. I personally had tremendous results, both physically and from a lifestyle perspective. Nell brings a unique combination of outstanding nutritional knowledge, top chef skills, not to mention a very impressive athletic background, to provide practical, hands on and non dogmatic coaching. I am a busy lawyer, with kids, limited time to work out, etc. and I was seeking some clarity about how to achieve a certain level of “wellness” without having to stick to some unsustainable plan. I am so happy that I decided to contact Nell. She not only helped me achieve my goals quickly and painlessly, she was an absolute delight to work with. Nell is very lovely person, and I could not recommend her more.
– Alexa Forte, Attorney
Nell’s nutrition and coaching skills are nothing short of stellar. Her knowledge has significant breadth and depth, whether an athlete is seeking the next level of training or a non-athlete needs a trusted mentor to help decipher the myriad of accurate and inaccurate nutritional information available today. Nell provided me with solid, beneficial information to gain optimal health and fitness, and I valued her high level of professionalism, outstanding communication skills, and unparalleled knowledge of nutrition.
-Linda Rohlinger,
Nell – where have you been all my life! I met Nell through a friend recently and we started talking about health (of course, as she’s the perfect picture of fitness), a ketogenic diet and its benefits. She quickly focused on the root of my dietary challenges and recommended some changes. I tried them immediately after I got home and I saw quick results. She then followed up and recommended a health coaching program (she lives in LA and I live in CT) to help me achieve some of my health goals. Through a detailed discussion of my daily health habits, she developed a plan which fine-tuned my diet and workout regiment, while giving me a practical and sensible view on health. The result in 3 short weeks – a ton of new energy, 7lbs gone, a more efficient workout, and an overall great feeling. Thank you Nell. Couldn’t recommend you more.
– Jim Moran, Founding Partner / CEO – CO OP
Thank you so much for such a joyous, delicious, educational and most of all – transformation event today. Not only did I learn so much, but will cherish the way we all interacted and engaged together. The theme of this YPO Education year is The Power of ONE and we all developed a greater connection with our own power of one as well as your power of affect and inspire the Power of ONE.
– Sue Chen, Founder NovaJoy, Manhattan Beach, CA
Thank you so much Nell! It was a wonderful afternoon spent learning and discarding old ideas. You are not only very knowledgeable about your field but also a very gracious host! – Jaspreet, Physician, Los Angeles
We have a wonderful chef in the neighborhood. Nell Stephenson has catered several of my parties. She prepares fresh, delicious, local, organic produce and the highest quality meats. She has an extensive knowledge of nutrition and can create meals that are specific to certain dietary need, i.e. Paleo, gluten-free, are, vegan… whatever you what. I highly recommend her for your next gathering!
– Laurie Rosenthal, Rosenthal Wines, Pacific Palisades
Two years ago I tried the Atkins Diet as well as the Mediterranean Diet, both good diets because they had low or NO processed carbohydrates, but I had to get used to the phases, which were confusing. I was looking for something better to make me feel healthier and support my endurance training. I was surprised when I first tired the Paleo diet by myself, because it made sense but whenever I would train, I felt really tired. I didn’t want to give up, so I looked online and found Nell’s expert Paleo nutrition for health and sports. I made an appointment with her in Los Angeles and flew up from Cancun to meet with her. I showed her my training and racing plans and she arranged the food for me, week by week online. It was very specific and included training and competition diets as fuel for Cancun´s Ironman 70.3 2011 and my race time was my PR of 5hrs 17minutes. Nell gave me the exact formula and I didn´t feel tired during the competition at all!
Currently I’m used to the Paleo diet; it’s a safer way of eating than the modern diet, very easy to cook and practical. It’s just not necessary to eat grains, cereals and dairy products. By avoiding those products, I feel very different and even younger! Nell´s philosophy is natural and healthy, a routine that makes this delicious diet for the whole family! I can eat like this for a lifetime, so I do not miss the ‘modern diet’ at all!
Thank you for your effort and professional work.
-Rodrigo Bobadilla, businessman and entrepreneur, Cancun
Every workout you scheduled for me left me feeling amazing. Not at all like I did not accomplish something. All workouts have been solid.Last week was the best week; I’ve had another turning point. My energy is amazing. Even adjusting my start time to waking at 3:30am by the time my day ends I’m not wiped out. I sit and read and truly have to wind myself down.
I never could have put it all together EVER!
When I came to you in December it was a very low point for me. I had over-trained and had exhausted myself mentally and physically. I knew I just could not continue on this path. I was ready to see all my efforts pay off. In stepped you! Even with being injured I feel like I’ve excelled in my workouts and with the Paleo eating I can’t imagine EVER going back. I feel like a bird let out of its cage. After a very long 10-month deployment I find myself feeling re-energized. I have so many little things that have changed from the inside out.
I think your guidance and patience and your refocusing me on another goal when I was injured saved me. I will run again and feel when I do I will be a better runner than before.
Sorry to ramble but I wish I could share all the little revelations I have daily. What you have taught me about using my heart rate monitor is priceless. I truly can’t wait to get back and sync in my workout. The Garmin graph of my effort is my Mona Lisa!
I weigh on Monday mornings and that is the only time. I’m transforming a lot. I am still encouraged because I see other things. With my mind being clearer I have a better perception of myself; I’ve noticed that I don’t look swollen anymore; even my legs are not swelling during the day and my complexion is different. And I am learning not to associate food and guilt, which is the biggest change by far.
-Tonya, Technical Administrative Assistant, New Kabul Compound, Afghanistan
Just wanted you to know I won the world championship for my age group, including beating out that impressive looking German, last year’s winner and former member of the East German Olympic Rowing Team. Once again, I want to thank you for helping me achieve my goal.
When I sat down on my erg for the race, I had the confidence that I had done everything under my control in terms of training, feeding, resting etc., and that mental edge makes a huge difference in erging (not mentioning the strength and power I gained from eating right under your guidance).
Cheers!
-Anne, Scientist, Cross-Fitter and World Champion Rower, Montreal, Canada
You are a genius! I started using your recommendation for recovery shakes for my endurance training and it gives me the sweetness I am looking for and the clean 100% paleo recovery I need. I now eat yams the night before and the breakfast before my bike training and feel much lighter, yet still powerful on the bike.
I increased my caloric intake per hour like you said and although it took some faith (I thought it would be too much) it kept my energy up and no stomach trouble.
So, the ultimate result is that my training weekends are much better and I feel great on Monday mornings; ready to start my week without the normal sluggishness (I don’t even ‘need’ coffee during my swims on Monday AM now).
I also bought one of your meal plans and it has already helped break up the monotony of the “same-ole, same-ole.” Since I made all of these changes at once so I am not sure the magnitude of each individually, but suffice it to say the combination is great! I really can’t thank you enough!
-Jeff Reece, Age Group Triathlete (30 – 34) & Investor, Jasper, Indiana
I have worked with Nell on my nutrition and meal planning for before, during & after training/racing for triathlon. Working with Nell has been fantastic; she has opened up a whole new way of eating for me. She has not judged me when things have gone off the rails, instead she has got me to think about why this happened and then offered support and strategies for dealing with these issues in the future. Even with the time difference she is quick to respond to all communication and you feel like you are her only client.
Jane – Perth, Western Australia
My thanks to you for your book and site. I purchased the 4 week kick start plan as a model and am in week 2. I was eating organic and sensible, yet non-paleo and despite running, swimming and biking, could not lose my spare 25 pounds. In the first 10 days I have lost 5 pounds and a size. I have noticed my legs are a bit heavy when I run and look forward to week 3 when the metabolism adjusts. Your book has been a perfect guide and inspiration. This program will restore my strength and speed. I give total credit to your clear and sassy, fun approach to getting my attention and giving me confidence!
Cheryl, Washington
I trained a long time to keep my weight under control. It took me a lot of effort to understand that many hours may be dedicated to exercise, but as long as eating habits are not adequate, weight will not be controlled; and what is worse, energy levels won´t be stable, inevitably affecting performance in all areas of life: training, work, family…
Nell is the person that has been guiding me through this process of learning. Nowadays I finally understand that eating habits are the key to a better performance in my everyday life, especially while training hard.
In the last six months I have dropped 22 pounds – body fat from 16% to 8%; but the most important fact is that I have a lot of energy to be with my family, to work at the office and to train hard.
I have been doing triathlons in the past three years, and thanks to Nell and a sound training program I have excelled in the age group category; I have made it to the podium! I am very satisfied and grateful; I will remain Paleo for life.
Lorenzo Medina, executive, Mexico
