Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Hetrich.
Brian, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I lived most of my life eating the Standard American Diet (SAD.) As a result of this lifestyle choice I developed many of the ailments of the typical American on a modern Western diet. 13 years ago in 2005, I was the shining example of fat sick and nearly dead. I had spent most of my life being fat and chronically fatigued. I was 100 pounds overweight and I had high blood pressure and high cholesterol, backaches, headaches, migraines, and was sick most of the time with regular colds, flu, throat infection, sinus infection, ear infection, you name it.
One day, I finally realized I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I stumbled across a lecture given by a holistic nutritionist. He was very inspirational and charismatic. He was fit, thin and looked and acted 20 years younger than he was. He was probably one of the most vibrant persons I had ever met. He was promoting a plant-based diet and he said he went 100% raw for a year and it was the most amazing thing he had ever done in his life.
I had never heard of such a thing but, I decided to give it a try and I went vegetarian for a year and then vegan for year two and then high raw for year three. Every step of the way, I was losing weight and gaining energy and getting sick less often. I decided to go 100% raw for a month just to see what would happen. It was like night and day! My whole life turned around and I feel like I have been transported into another reality!
I lost 100 pounds and realized all of my sicknesses were gone, headaches gone, backaches gone, migraines gone, high blood pressure is gone, high cholesterol gone and my prescription eyeglasses gone! My energy is now through the roof 😊! All my senses got remarkably better including especially my sixth sense. I began to feel something I never felt before – me! This is the greatest reward for me. My sense of awareness, connectedness, and spirituality awakened. I believe this is where the magic really begins. My mental clarity and mental acuity dramatically improved. I began to connect with my purpose and my passion in life.
I slowly realized I was becoming less interested in the career that I had chosen and began to feel drawn to a new career in the natural healing arts with a focus on the healing virtue of superior nutrition. I decided to go back to school and reeducated myself. First, I become a Certified Nutritional Counselor. Then, I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, a Master’s degree in Nutrition and finally became a Naturopathic Doctor. The power of nutritional excellence has convinced me of two things. First, that we have created a culture in this country of consuming a nutritionally depleted diet on a regular basis. Second, that the human body has an amazing ability to heal itself when given the right substances, forces, and conditions.
It has been my privilege to work at four different natural healing centers over the last ten years including Natural Vibrant Health, Briarley Hill Retreat, Hippocrates Health Institute, and Dr. Fuhrman’s Health Oasis. I am currently doing private health coaching, teaching classes and hosting health and wellness retreats as well as fasting retreats.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
For this current stage of my life’s journey, the rewards have been great and the challenges have been great. The dietary change was probably the most challenging part. I feel it is easier to change one’s religion than to change their diet! Going vegan was easier for me than going totally raw simply because there are more vegan options out there and vegan is more socially acceptable.
The initial transition is the most difficult and then it eventually becomes much easier as it becomes a new habit. This is true especially when you begin to make the connection between your newly found nutritional excellence habit and better performance in every area of your life. The social interaction is the most challenging. Other people seem to be a little annoyed with you when you are eating healthier than they are. I simply do not judge others and try to lead by example. I have also added some new friends along the way who are more like-minded.
Please tell us about Brian Hetrich.
I am a Health Coach, a Certified Nutritional Counselor, a Gourmet Raw Food Chef, Speaker and an Author specializing in lifestyle medicine. I believe in the power of nature to assist you in overcoming your health challenges. In my practice, I emphasize the harmonious integration of body, mind, and spirit. I feel very strongly in using superior nutrition combined with the judicial use of select herbs, specific high-quality supplements, pure water, sensible exercise, effective detoxification protocols and other lifestyle factors in order for anyone to realize superior health.
I offer private health coaching for people who would like to feel better or just lose (or gain) weight. I also teach inspirational classes at various venues and I host health and wellness retreats as well as fasting retreats in unique surroundings.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I have many good childhood memories. I think one of my favorites was going to Ocean City once a year in the summer with my family and spending my allowance money on boardwalk entertainment, games and amusement rides.
Contact Info:
- Website: brianhetrich.com
- Email: brianhetrich@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bhetrich
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianhetrich
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/hetrich
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