Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Behr, MS, Ph.D., CNS.
Hi Heather, can you introduce yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Wow, I’ve never really thought about how I got here. It’s been a journey. I started school knowing I wanted to do something that could positively impact people’s lives. Like most 20-somethings, I thought that meant doctor – so that’s what I pursued. While in school, I was disappointed in the conventional medicine model after completing my master’s in biomedicine. I decided to pursue integrative medicine at Saybrook University. While attending Saybrook, I experienced first-hand the power of mind-body medicine and what restoring health really meant – focusing on the whole body, mind, and spirit to promote optimal health.
While completing my Ph.D. at Saybrook University, I trained as a mind-body medicine practitioner, wellness coach, and functional nutritionist. I also conducted my research to complete a pilot study and dissertation. It was my pilot study where I first learned the huge influence of self-care on health and wellness. I looked at inflammatory markers, which are little proteins in our blood released when we’re stressed, eat poorly, or are injured. They give us an indication of the status of our health. I found that the higher the health-promoting lifestyle score, the lower the level of circulating inflammatory proteins. The lower the number of circulating proteins, the better your health.
My work on these studies piqued my interest as a researcher, but people are my passion, and I wanted to use the skills I learned to help people lead healthier happier lives. I spent 2 years living in Madrid while completing my research for my Ph.D. During that time, I began building my practice, offering my services to communities, businesses, and individuals. I hosted wellness workshops and events, the biggest event being my Mind-Body Reboot. When I returned to Florida, I opened a small practice in celebration, offering yoga, nutrition, and wellness coaching. Unfortunately, that was short-lived. I took a job in research with Noom right before the COVID crazy hit. I spent 3 years conducting weight loss and behavioral health research for Noom, It was a fantastic experience, but I was excited to return to my private practice full-time. My path has brought me back full circle. I’m doing what I love, using my experience, education, and research knowledge to help my clients reach their wellness goals. It’s been a journey.
You wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been smooth?
I’ve struggled with my cholesterol for years, which first piqued my interest in nutrition. I was a healthy, active young adult with total cholesterol levels nearing 300 mg/dL. I was always frustrated to hear, “well, you need to watch your diet and exercise” the doctors would tell me this without even asking what my current diet or exercise regimen was?! I was a vegan and exercising too much (I know this now, in hindsight). I’m happy to report that after years of trial and error, I’ve brought my cholesterol down to normal levels without medications or a crazy restrictive diet. My first location opened in Celebration, FL, in September 2019. It could have been better timing; I had a small yoga studio and offered wellness coaching, nutrition, and community group wellness programs. Just as things began to pick up, we had to close. But life has a funny way of taking care of you. I was concerned about financial struggles and applied for a position at the then, unknown startup Noom. Noom was building a research team, and I fit my background perfectly. This was a 180-degree transition from 6 am yoga classes and tea with clients to industry research. But what an interesting experience. I spent 3 years with Noom designing, conducting studies, and collaborating with other behavioral health scientists. The knowledge I gained has been invaluable in how I frame my weight loss programs.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m an educator, researcher, and nutritionist, and I do nutrition and wellness in all forms. I love hosting events and workshops to help my community learn how to incorporate healthy habits into their lives. Of course, I have to be qualified to do this. I’m a Certified Nutrition Specialist, with credentialing available to those with advanced degrees in the field of nutrition. I specialize in Functional Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine. Not everybody knows what “functional” nutrition is – using food and supplements as natural medicine to heal the body, correct nutrient deficiencies, and restore balance. Most people begin looking for a functional nutritionist after they’ve tried and failed with other diets or protocols. I specialize in weight loss through lifestyle optimization. Many of my clients come to me thinking they need a new diet to lose those last “sticky” 15 pounds – but are surprised to learn it’s not their diet. It’s their stress or the timing of eating their meals. No two protocols are the same. Everyone is different.
I have an appreciation for technology. I use tools like my 3D Body Scanner to help visualize weight loss and muscle-building progress. Another useful tool is my metabolic rate analyzer which uses indirect calorimetry to give me a clear picture of resting energy expenditure. Both are amazing tools for weight loss, those looking to build muscle or improve athletic performance, and for weight maintenance.
I also make many of the products I sell. I have a skincare line, an essential oil line, and herbal tonics to create teas and mocktails which help the body and mind relax and unwind without alcohol. I’m known for my controversial stance that “diets don’t work.” (and I have the data to support that statement) Dieting to lose weight is associated with future weight gain and obesity adding insult to injury. Research suggests that the more diets people try, the more weight they gain long-term! That’s not all; dieting has a poor track record for long-term weight loss and is associated with an increased risk of binge eating, eating disorders, and a decline in mental wellness. I help people reach their weight loss goals without dieting – it’s a lifestyle.
What sets me apart: I help people reach their weight loss goals without crazy strict dieting or spending endless hours at the gym. I focus on a whole body, mind, and spirit approach to weight loss (and optimal wellness). Weight loss becomes the byproduct of improved health and well-being; I’m most proud of my (published) research. I have the unique opportunity to implement my published work into many of the protocols I write for my clients.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The diet industry will continue to grow as it has. More than 45 million American adults start a new diet to lose weight every year. More than 50% of the adult population is racking in over $70 billion for the booming US diet industry. Mostly, the industry banks on buzzwords and fad diets, but we are seeing small shifts in diet trends. A recent study in JAMA reported that people in the US are making modest improvements to the overall quality of their diet. However, the overall score (provided by the healthy eating index) was an improvement from previous years – it still reflects a “poor diet,” with more than 42% of the food consumed coming from low-quality carbs and saturated fat. As more people demand healthy foods, we’ll see more available. But a shift IS good, and as it continues, we’ll continue to see healthier food options available, making it easier to embrace an overall “health-promoting lifestyle.” Having plant-based options at Disney World and Universal Studios is a big indicator of this shift.
Contact Info:
- Website: drheatherbehr.square.site
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drheatherbehr/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrHeatherBehr
- Other: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=PZpwlloAAAAJ
Image Credits
Styku, Breezing
