Jess Durando - Clinical Therapist & Mindset, Nutrition and Lifestyle Coach

Jess Durando

Jess Durando is a former clinical therapist turned 1:1 coach, specializing in nutrition, mindset, and pre and postnatal wellness.

Jess truly believes in the mind-body connection, and the vital need to help women feel more empowered in their bodies, change their narrative around food and body image, and feel support and empowered during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

For Jess, this means providing education, managing nutritional needs, addressing stressors, fears and anxieties about motherhood, exploring shifts in identity and new roles, helping women advocate for themselves, and having important conversations about mindset during pregnancy and postpartum.

Jess loves to take any opportunity she can get to connect with like minded professionals who emphasize joy and self care, and continue to spread the word around the importance of these topics.

I’m so excited for you guys to connect with Jess, check out her work and follow along as she continues to help her clients navigate nutrition and redefine their worth.

I'd love it if you'd introduce yourself, what you do, and what you're working on.

Hi! I’m Jess Durando, a clinical therapist turned 1:1 coach specializing in mindset, nutrition and lifestyle changes. 

I’m also a certified pre and postnatal nutrition coach, passionate about helping women feel empowered and supported through their journey into motherhood. This means providing education, managing nutritional needs, addressing stressors, fears and anxieties about motherhood, exploring shifts in identity and new roles, helping women advocate for themselves, and having important conversations about mindset during pregnancy and postpartum.

I currently provide 1:1 coaching and I am in the process of creating products for new and expecting moms that are affordable, accessible and provide education regarding important topics such as nutrition, training, pelvic floor health, lactation, knowing your medical options, sleep and mental health.

How did you get started?

I worked as a licensed clinical therapist for approximately 9 years before moving into the coaching space. While I love working in clinical settings and offering therapeutic interventions, I have found coaching allows me to reach more people, to address ways that they have control to transform their own life, and to do more than just help them plant seeds and hope they grow. I am emphatic about helping people redefine food rules, change their inner narrative, find food freedom, value their own self-care, and crush their goals.

What inspired the work that you're doing?

Like most people, my own journey enhanced my desire to help others. While working in counseling settings I began to prioritize my own health and wellness. I hired a coach, increased exercise, and addressed my nutrition. As my physical health shifted, my mental health shifted as well. I became passionate about helping others see the mind-body connection, and serving as their guide along the way. I realized that simply making lifestyle changes and gaining more control over our choices can lead to major positive changes in well-being, and that my background in counseling could also help me guide clients in building up coping skills, challenging cognitive distortions, and gaining back some of their power. My first pregnancy with my son then inspired my desire to help new and expecting mamas.

What is your biggest passion? Do you feel like you're living your passion and purpose?

My biggest passion has always been helping others feeling empowered to choose happiness. Feeling supported, reframing negative thoughts, savoring the moment, taking ownership over lifestyle choices, and practicing mindfulness can all largely contribute to happiness. I simply want to help individuals take the reins on their own life and choose joy. I’m very grateful to be able to actively live my passion daily.

What is your joy blueprint? What lights you up, brings you joy, and makes you feel the most alive?

My greatest joy comes from being outdoors, present, unplugged, and laughing with those I love. That is what makes me feel the most alive. Togetherness, nature, and happiness are the things that speak most to my soul. Oh, and food too!

How do you live intentionally? Are there tools/resources/practices that you rely on to help you stay mindful and grounded?

I find mindfulness to be vital but so difficult, especially with technology and the need to wear multiple hats in our lives. I try to bookend my days with a few moments of mindfulness, get outdoors as much as possible, go barefoot when I can to feel grounded, and try to give myself little breaks in the day just to catch a deep breath.

What would your younger self think about what you're doing now?

Oh man, I think my younger self would be…relieved. To know see this version of me and to know I found myself, my confidence and my calling. I know my younger self would be proud.

Do you have a go-to mantra or affirmation?

My mantra is “Choose Kind”- In how you treat yourself, others, and the world around you. In a world where you can choose to be anything, choose kind.

What is your biggest dream?

This is a powerful question, and one that changes for me regularly. On a professional level, to be able to create impact and add value to individuals wishing to seek change in their own life. I would love for everyone to know that they don’t have to weigh less to matter more. That food is not the enemy. That their mindset is powerful. That they are capable of living their best life. 

On a personal level, I hope to have the opportunity to watch my children flourish and see the happy, capable, daring individuals I know they’ll be come. To walk alongside my husband and optimize our life together. To build deep friendships and laugh often and travel frequently.

And on a larger scale, my dream is for the world to have the opportunity to simplify down. To remember the power of connection. To treat each other and the world around them with empathy and love.

To learn more about Jess and her work you can connect with her on her website www.happybellycoaching.com and on Instagram @jessdurando Facebook Jessica Durando and via email jessicadurandonutrition@gmail.com

Joy Corner is an interview-style blog series brought to you by Seek The Joy Podcast. Our mission continues to be a desire to share your stories, truths, joys and inspiration in your words. We invite you to join our corner, and share your joys, passions, and moments of inspiration as we continue to seek the joy, together. Join this series here