Caroline Potter is an NTP, educator, blogger, podcaster and photographer currently residing in Spain, where her husband is stationed while serving our country.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME AN NTP/NTC?

After being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (more on that below), I knew the basic principles of nutrition but didn’t understand the science behind them. I knew to eat butter and eggs but didn’t know how that actually affected me — I really wanted to know the facts. I also felt called to share my health journey with others and use that story to help people but knew I needed the education first.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT WHY YOU CHOSE NTA FOR YOUR HOLISTIC NUTRITION EDUCATION?

Oh that is something I always laugh at when I say this response. A good friend and nutrition mentor of mine mentioned the program as I was graduating college and just signed up. I didn’t know one thing about the NTA until about halfway through the program!

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT THE PROGRAM AND WHY?

I always say I am a secret nerd, but it truly is fascinating to see how beautifully the body is made. Our bodies were designed to function optimally, with energy and with health and it’s amazing to see how connected different puzzle pieces of our health are. I loved learning how the body truly can heal and that people can truly thrive with their health! The digestion section of the program was the most fascinating to me — so eye opening!

HOW ARE YOU CURRENTLY USING THE EDUCATION YOU RECEIVED THROUGH THE NTA?

Oh I feel like I do a little bit of everything and sometimes I have to remind myself to focus! I work with clients one-on-one (especially those with blood sugar issues and diabetes) but also educate and inspire through my online platform Colorful Eats as well as the Colorful Eats podcast. I also wrote a cookbook called All American Paleo Table.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR PRACTICE.

As my husband serves in the military and we move a lot, I always knew I could not have a physical location of a practice, but thankfully it is so easy to do everything online these days! With an online platform, I can educate and inspire people through my podcast and blog posts about health recipes, lifestyle and safe-beauty! I do also work with clients-one-on one over email or the phone.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE ANY OBJECTIONS YOU HAD TO OVERCOME BEFORE STARTING THE PROGRAM OR YOUR BIGGEST FEAR BEFORE TAKING THE LEAP?

Honestly, I didn’t have any fears or objections before starting, I really am a just jump right in type of girl. I think that no matter if you are using this training to start a business or even be able to help your family with their daily health, the options are endless with the education you will receive! I personally believe that we can never stop learning, so I was excited to continue the learning process.

IS THERE ANY ADVICE YOU CAN SHARE WITH NEW GRADUATES?

Never do anything for free — you paid for this training and hopefully poured your heart and mind into this program. Don’t ever cut yourself short by working for free. Not only are you doing yourself a disservice and even putting yourself under a lot of stress, but you also are setting a precedent that your education and services are “not worth anything.” You have extreme value in this world, don’t ever forget that!

WHAT HAS BEEN ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE CLIENT SUCCESSES THUS FAR?

I had a little girl who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 9 say to her mom, “I am going to celebrate February 21st every year, the day I was diagnosed.”… Why do you want to celebrate that? … “Because we listened to Caroline’s podcast and she is happy about having diabetes, so maybe if I am happy about it, it will be easier to deal with.”

WERE THERE ANY HEALTH CHALLENGES YOU WERE PERSONALLY EXPERIENCING PRIOR TO ENROLLING IN THE PROGRAM?

At the age of 20 while I was in college, I was diagnosed with an auto-immune disease, Type 1 diabetes. This truly forever changed my life, and honestly now I view this event as a positive change in my life, although it took me a long time to see the good come out of my diagnosis and yes, there are still very dark and difficult days in dealing with this disease.

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR HEALTH JOURNEY IN APPLYING THE PROGRAM’S CONCEPTS TO YOUR OWN SITUATION AS YOU WERE GOING THROUGH THE CURRICULUM?

I was raised in a very healthy home where my mother never fed us sugar, low fat foods, soda or anything processed like that, so I always new the basic healthy principles. The NTP training taught me to address things foundationally but also to look at the whole picture. Blood sugar issues will always be my biggest struggle, but other factors can contribute to how I daily manage my Type 1 Diabetes. Personally I notice a huge difference in my blood sugar levels when I work to avoid stress, both physical and emotional, when I work to address my adrenal health and some other female issues. You always have to look at the whole picture!

WHAT ARE A FEW OF YOUR GO-TO SNACKS?

Macadamia nuts, hard cheeses of any type (my favorite is actually parmesan, manchego and aged gouda—I love the cheeses that have bits of salt chunks in them!), plain yogurt, toasted coconut and R(x) bars, I have never been a protein bar girl but these are my favorite and taste just like real food, since they are!

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE TREAT OR INDULGENCE?

Good quality filet mignon, homemade margaritas with just fresh lime juice and tequila, cappuccinos, and my favorite grain-free desserts to make are my lemon curd cake (actually my wedding cake), salted maple blondies and vanilla bean stuffed cheesecake bites! I also love non-food treats since I can’t often do desserts, so I love treating myself to a massage or a pedicure or even saving up to travel because my husband and I love to travel!

WHAT’S THE LAST BOOK YOU READ?

Present over Perfect by Shauna Niequist and Cassy Garcia’s Fed and Fit.

WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE WHO IS THINKING ABOUT BECOMING AN NTP/NTC?

Seriously just do it — that really is my life motto in general. Don’t be a person who looks back in a year and says, “Oh I wish I had done that.” Start pursuing your goals and dreams today! You can find out more about Caroline and her company, Colorful Eats, by visiting her site, www.colorfuleats.com.

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WATCH CAROLINE’S NTA LIVE INTERVIEW

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