My Story
Welcome to chapter U: the beginning of your new story.
You have the power to change who you are and choose not to be defined by your past. If you feel stuck or bored of your story, let it go. You have the power to begin a new chapter and create a healthier lifestyle that is long-lasting.
(Sometimes, without even realizing, the stories and beliefs from our past stick with us and become self-limiting. )
Quote: “When we deny our stories, they define us. When we own our stories, we get to write a brave new ending.” - Brene Brown
I’m Susan Sagan Levitan, a certified Holistic Health Coach and Speaker, mom and wife. I am also a huge foodie and fitness fanatic. It is my goal to empower you to make real, lasting lifestyle changes; and to become the healthiest, happiest, most energized and confident version of you.
It can be overwhelming and scary to make big changes with your health and lifestyle. It’s not easy to be bombarded with confusing and conflicting health information while surrounded by sugar, processed foods, drive-thrus, and super-sized everything. I know firsthand how challenging it can be to break bad habits and stay on track. That’s why I am committed to helping you achieve your goals.
[Let’s do this! Click here to get started: Capture or Consultation.]
Change your story. Change your life:
Chapter 1. We all have our own story with food. For some, it’s a love story; for others, it’s a tense and stressful saga; and for others still, it’s an epic battle with deception and guilt. For me, it’s been all of the above. Throughout my childhood and the two decades I lived in Manhattan, everything was centered around eating. From street vendors to five-star restaurants, I ate on autopilot. I had no portion control. Compulsive eating, emotional eating, social eating...I was a bottomless pit.
On the flip side, being active and healthy is part of my DNA. I drank green juice, ate tofu and kale, shopped in health food stores and always exercised. I counted calories, wrote in food journals, consulted with nutritionists and experimented with cookie cutter diets. I worked at Fitness Magazine, where my business and personal passions were entwined. I wasn’t overweight, so I believed I was healthy, and so did everyone around me.
My exciting “I can do it all” lifestyle kept me going a mile a minute. And then I got married and had children, while still working full time. My plate became even more full and I continued to eat and exercise. I may have looked like the picture of perfect health, but here’s the thing: I wasn’t. Now, when I look back I realize on the inside I was a sugar-addicted, sleep-deprived and over-programmed mess. I just didn’t know it. Wasn't an accurate depiction of what was really going on inside my body.
Chapter 2. Eventually, I moved with my family from Manhattan to the slower-paced suburbs of Rochester, NY. Overnight, everything changed. In the transition, I struggled to find my new identity, my next chapter, and dwelled on my past. This became my story. I coped through exercise and took an “I can eat whatever I want” attitude.
Over time, the slower pace of my new life forced me to clearly recognize the truth about my years of unhealthy habits. Things were out of balance. I woke up one day and decided I didn't want to feel like that anymore and realized there was more to my story than the chapter I was stuck in. It was time for me to pick myself up, dust myself off and take control of my story. It was time for real change. Lasting change.
I ditched my scale, took a breath, and addressed my eating head-on. At the same time, I mustered the strength to explore the areas in my story that were out of sync and weighing me down.
You can’t start the next chapter if you keep re-reading the last one.
While working to fill the voids in my life, find my new career, parent 24/7 and shift to a healthier lifestyle, I learned about the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and decided to become a certified health coach. This discovery led to the start of a new chapter: a life-changing journey that inspires me each day. I broadened my health focus from food and exercise to the other parts of my life that nourish me - relationships, career, and community. I was able to re-define weight as more than a number on the scale, but instead as every burden in my life that was holding me back, dragging me down, or keeping me stuck on the same page in my story.
Integrating many small changes has lead to major transformation in my body and mind. I also became inspired to launch chapter U. Today, I can share with my clients the same whole-body approach that I used to create a happier, healthier more fulfilling life for myself and my family.
“It is an amazing thing when a passion and a career come together.”
The turning point of my story occurred when I learned the following personal truths. They worked for me and they will work for you, too.
I stopped dwelling on my past, released the idea of who and where I was “supposed” to be, and accepted who and where I was.
“Maybe you have to let go of who you were to become who you will be.”
Carrie Bradshaw
“Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we should be and embracing who we are.” Breen
At the same time, I listened to my own voice. I started letting go of the things that were hoIding me back and focused on what truly motivates and fulfils me.
“If you want to fly, give up anything that weighs you down.” Toni Morrison
With increased confidence, I took the word “should” out of my vocabulary, gave myself permission to say no, eased up on my perfectionism, embraced my imperfections and moved myself higher up on my to-do list.
Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s a necessity.
Loving ourselves through the process of owning our story is the secret to happiness. Brene Brown
If you want to soar in life you must FLY --first love yourself (put next to picture or video of trapeze)
Food is still a big part of my story, but I am in control; and I have the awareness to make smarter choices. I can now be in the same room as Oreos and Ben & Jerry’s without disaster. I am not perfect. I still have struggles, but I no longer define myself by a number on the scale or only how I look. My journey is about feeling strong, confident and energized. Most importantly, I have a new appreciation for my body and a better understanding of what it needs.
“If you take care of your body, it will take care of you.” Oprah Winfrey
With balance restored and energy renewed, I am now a healthier, happier, more confident version of me, learning and growing each day. I also believe I am a more “present” mother and wife, and a healthier influence on my family.
Just when the caterpillar thought its life was over, it turned into a butterfly
This is what I want for you too.
It energizes and makes me happy to see other people grow and create positive change in their lives. I look forward to guiding you on your journey and helping you become the best version of you in your next chapter.
Are you ready to make yourself your first priority?
[Call to action: Let’s discover your next chapter together. I invite you to schedule a free initial consultation.
During this session, we will discuss your health and lifestyle to determine how I can best support you in achieving your goals.
What are you waiting for? Let's do this
As your coach, I give you the power to change YOUR story
Learn more about my training and my unique approach to health coaching.
Are you curious about how health coaching can help you? Let’s talk. Schedule an initial consultation with me today.
Why a Health Coach, Why Now?
Before finding Health Coaching, my personal and professional life was unbalanced. Like many others, I was caught up in the “rat race”, working way too hard at a stressful job, not taking time out for self-care or to work on family relationships, and fueling my body with unhealthy food. I also lacked a good sleep routine as well as focus and motivation. I was just plain burned-out! It wasn’t until I had my own health issues that I realized what a toll this unhealthy lifestyle was having on my mind and my body.
The moment that changed everything for me was when I found the Health Coach Institute and learned about healthy, holistic living. Once I started nourishing multiple areas of my life and benefiting from making better choices, both nutritionally and with lifestyle, I felt like I was becoming alive again. I became so motivated to eat better and to make healthy lifestyle choices because I was beginning to feel like myself again. Through this journey I also realized that I would get really excited about sharing this information with other people in order to help them not go down the same road to burnout that I did. Now that healthy holistic living had become a big part of my life, I knew I was ready for the next step, both personally and professionally.
Today I am happier and healthier at 50 than I have ever been. I enjoy a balanced life that includes self-care, leisure, and cultivating meaningful relationships, PLUS a fulfilling career that empowers other people and provides opportunities to serve in my community.