Integrative Wellness
When you’re ready to heal, grow and thrive in every aspect of your life, together we’ll create a plan to rediscover your true state of wholeness. Being well isn’t a luxury. It’s achievable and real.
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Hello, I’m Marguerite
and I’m here to support you every step of the way toward better health!
Based in Chicago and Serving Clients Virtually Around the World
MEET YOUR COACH
My health and wellness journey started many years ago when I struggled with digestive issues, high stress from a demanding career, doing too much and not sleeping enough. Keeping myself busy teaching yoga and meditation and training for triathlons wasn’t enough to sustain an enduring sense of well-being and balance in my life.
When my body and mind began transitioning toward menopause, I thought I would never feel good and rested and whole again. I’m still learning to honor and trust my body’s ability to heal itself while incorporating lifestyle practices that incorporate whole foods, herbal and natural remedies, meditation and breath and body work to prevent and treat what ails me.
We all hold space for family members and friends who may be struggling with debilitating and life-altering diseases. I believe we must first show up for ourselves, take good care of ourselves before we can help our loved ones and our communities.
As an herbalist, relational nature and forest therapy guide, and integrative nutrition, health and wellness coach, specializing in gut health, hormonal health and mindful eating, I will help you create goals that honor your bio-individuality and stand beside you as you reclaim your health, your life, and your freedom. Yes, the world needs your gifts, now more than ever. And first, let’s be well together!
WHEN I'M NOT HELPING CLIENTS, YOU'LL FIND ME
officiating weddings, or cultivating Reed’s Garden, my urban micro-farm, or blending herbs for medicinal teas, or hiking in the Forest Preserves, or reading about indigenous wellness practices.
Wellness tips that have changed my life?
Drink two glasses of water upon rising. Then more and more…
Walk, swim, bike or practice yoga and sweat everyday.
Enjoy a nap.
“Eat (real) food, not too much, mostly plants.” Michael Pollan
What do women hold?
The home and the family.
And the children and the food.
The friendships.
The work.
The work of the world.
And the work of being human.
The memories
And the troubles
and the sorrows
and the triumphs.
And the love.
Sometimes, when I’m feeling
particularly happy or content,
I thinking I can provide sustenance
for the legions of human beings.
I can hold the entire world in my arms.
Other times, I can barely cross the room.
And I drop my arms. Frozen.
— Maira Kalman
WHAT MATTERS MOST TO ME
COMMUNITY
SELF-ACCEPTANCE
BIO-INDIVIDUALITY
LOVE NOTES
THE POWER OF PRIORITIZING YOUR WELL-BEING
We are warriors, queens, seedkeepers, storytellers, medicine makers, healers. We gather the food, care for the children, find the water, make peace. Women hold things. Mostly, we “hold the work of the world, and the work of being human.” This quote from Maira Kalman inspires me everyday to do what I can to hold space for myself and for women, young and old.
My work as an integrative nutrition, health and wellness coach is part of my life mission to use my gifts to create positive change in my community. As a Life-Cycle Celebrant and End-of-Life Doula, I’ve guided individuals and families through significant life transitions for more than 20 years. I’ve worked as a philanthropic advisor for more than 30 years. I’ve seen how nonprofit organizations, specifically those focused on uplighting women and girls, are able to advocate for a more realistic and compassionate understanding of women’s health, particularly in my community.
I am equally passionate about providing you with the knowledge and tools needed to empower you to take control of your health and overcome systemic barriers that may have previously kept you feeling unseen and misunderstood by medical professionals in more conventional health settings.
I also believe that by helping one woman achieve better health, we are helping her family, her community and even future generations. My passion for collective healing is the motivation for creating the Seed Keepers Group Coaching Program for women and the Seed Sowers Group Coaching Program for Nonprofit Leaders.
My journey towards health and well-being has been an ongoing process. The same may be true for you. Life will always come with ups and downs. By creating a solid foundation of healthy habits, we can stay resilient and focused, no matter what comes our way. Mid-life can be a time for reinvention; by prioritizing health and wellness, we can empower ourselves to live with strength, vitality and confidence in our bodies, ready to face any challenge ahead and hold space for the work of being human.
WHAT I BELIEVE ABOUT LASTING LIFESTYLE CHANGES
Wellness means…
Embracing holistic and alternative wellness practices that integrate mental, spiritual and physical health, such as meditation, herbal medicine, breath and body work, yoga and community.
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Making strides toward better nutritional habits with an emphasis on traditional, plant-based or culturally significant foods that support your health and well-being. Real food is your medicine!
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Building compassionate communities of women who are improving their health literacy and prioritizing their health, with an emphasis on body positivity, mental health and physical well-being.
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A few myths…
Weight loss is the most important goal. Health is about more than just the number on the scale - it’s about feeling good and embracing self-care in a sustainable way.
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More is always better when it comes to exercise. Over-exercising or pushing yourself too hard without proper recovery can lead to burnout, injury, and fatigue. Rest is equally important for achieving health goals, as it allows the body to repair and rebuild.
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All women will experience menopause the same way. Menopausal symptoms vary widely from one woman to another. Your bio-individuality makes your journey through the natural cycles and transitions that women experience unique. Generalizations can lead to unrealistic expectations and avoidable stress and shame. It’s better to be open to exploring individualized options for managing symptoms and creating lifestyle habits that work for you.
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LET’S CREATE A WELLNESS PLAN THAT ALIGNS WITH YOUR MOST AUTHENTIC SELF.
Your wellness journey starts here!