Welcome to Integrative Steps

I’M NICOLE STEP, FOUNDER & NATIONALLY BOARD CERTIFIED

Health and Wellness Coach

Integrative Steps is a wellness blog I began in 2017 to empower you. When I started this website, I realized that every massive failure, small success, and life-altering heartbreak I have experienced in my life, were steps I needed to take to become a stronger, more empathetic, and resilient person. My website is the integration of over 30 years working in the dance, nutrition, and fitness industry.

Integrative:

ADJECTIVE: UNITED OR COMBINED

Over the past 35 years, I have combined my vast experience in dance and fitness with my education of integrative nutrition and wellness. I have been fortunate to work with large corporations, sports teams, athletes, and individuals of all ages. The most important lesson I have learned after connecting with thousands of people, is that true wellness is attained by uniting the mind, body, and spirit, according to bio-individuality (what works for me may be very different for you.)

 

THE CAMBRIDGE DICTIONARY DEFINES THE WORD “STEPS” AS

One action in a series

The first “step” in my career was dancing professionally with the San Francisco 49ers at 17 years old. As the youngest Gold Rush member, I had the opportunity to work and travel with many professional athletes. Pros For Kids also hired me as a motivational speaker, alongside NFL and NBA players, to inspire students and athletes to rise above the temptations of drugs and alcohol. Being amongst some of the world’s greatest competitors influenced me to discover and achieve the best version of myself. This first “step” did indeed lead to a “series” of other professional dance jobs; including The Los Angeles Clippers and The Los Angeles Lakers.

My relationship with food was a struggle for several years.
As with most typical teenage girls I was highly focused on my physical appearance. While not overweight, I always strived to be leaner. As I entered the world of professional dance, my body became everyone’s business. We were constantly reminded to “watch our weight.”

 

With no understanding of balanced nutrition, I reduced my daily intake to 800 calories and almost zero fat. I lost weight, but I also became anemic, exhausted, had dry brittle hair, and a sad foggy mind. My dad, also my real life hero, was the one who sat me down and explained why eating good fats and real food was absolutely necessary for a healthy mind and body. Permission to eat? Say What? This was my light switch. I began researching fitness and nutrition intensely, and my enduring passion was born.

I relocated to Southern California at 19 years old and continued my dance career with the Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, United Spirit Association, and traveling theater tours. I also went to work with Nutri-Systems® as a weight loss counselor and later gained extensive knowledge as a health advisor for nutritional supplement companies. After 2 junior colleges, 2 Universities, and The Academy of Dramatic Arts, I finally graduated from Cal Poly Pomona, my degree in Cross-Cultural Liberal Studies with an emphasis on Dance & Kinesiology.

 

THE BIRTHS OF MY TWO CHILDREN; JUSTIN AND JAMIE SPARKED AN EVEN DEEPER LEVEL OF NUTRITION RESEARCH.

I immersed myself in reading literature and
attending health seminars as often as possible.

 

2006

I formulated 4 nutritional supplements and opened a web-based company, adding 12 private label products. We hired an amazing team, opened corporate offices in Irvine, and things were going very well, until they weren’t. The epic financial crash of 2008 hit us hard, and in 2010 we closed the company. I share this because I consider it one of my greatest failures, greatest life lessons, and greatest future motivators.


 

2017

I went back to school for my integrative nutrition certification. Upon completion, I studied for 6 more months to become nationally board-certified. This certification allows me to work in hospitals and with doctors, assisting patients on their path to holistic wellness. I also hold additional certifications in gut health, emotional eating, and international health coaching.


 

The past two years of my life have been spent studying trauma and the brain. This has completely altered my sense of wellness for all individuals. I now see the world and our people living in it, from an entirely different lens. I will write a great deal about trauma in these pages, because becoming trauma informed changes everything…for you and for me.

I begin every day with a deep proclamation of faith. I am a Christian. Scripture informs my thinking. I strive to live a life of integrity, purity, honesty, and forgiveness. Forgiveness is a lifelong conversation.

Currently…

Currently I am enrolled as a graduate student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, to obtain my master’s degree in health sciences with an additional certification in integrative health and wellness.

 

Wellness is more than just my passion. It is my lifestyle. My purpose is to influence change through a lens of love and support, in consideration of your personal story. One step at a time.

 

Get to know me…

 

I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT:

Chocolate….daily!

I’M OBSESSED WITH:

Our family dogs; Niner and Switzie

I WISH I COULD:

Speak all languages

IF I COULD LIVE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, IT WOULD BE:

The City of Ez….”not Oz”

MY PHILOSOPHY

Integrative Steps is a well-balanced, inspiring approach to lifelong change.

True wellness is attained by uniting the mind, body, and spirit, according to bio-individuality (what works for me may be very different for you.) I believe eating disorders are rooted in trauma and/or relationship disorders. I always approach coaching with the understanding that each of us has a unique emotional footprint, which impacts our readiness for change. It is imperative to assess where we have been, before we can determine what the next “step” should be.