“In my observation, the people who are most concerned about doing everything perfectly and micromanaging every detail seem to add an extra burden of stress that inhibits healing.”
We’re excited to be sharing our interview with Debbie Steinbock of Mindful Family Medicine. Debbie began her practice as a Holistic Health & Nutrition Counselor over twenty years ago and shared with us her best advice including gut health, everyday wellness, and finding the best nutritionist for your needs. Want to learn more about wellness? Check out last week’s feature with Rebecca Baack of Mecha Fitness.
How do you personally define wellness?
Wellness means engaging in the particular nutritional and lifestyle practices that an individual needs in order to attain health and balance. To me, wellness is a way of life where you make conscious choices every day that move you towards health and vitality.
What piqued your interest in wellness? Were you interested in healthy living from a young age, or did you find it later on?
I always say that my interest in nutrition came more out of desperation than anything else. I struggled greatly with my digestive health from 13-18 years old and tried pretty much everything conventional medicine had to offer me at the time. I turned to diet and nutrition as a way to heal my body and alleviate some of my symptoms and spent most of college experimenting on myself—and getting better!
After college graduation, I had planned to move to NYC while I applied to grad schools to study psychology/counseling. I found my nutrition school and decided to enroll while I was already living in NYC and loved it so much that I never went on for my Ph.D. and have been doing this work ever since!
What’s your favorite way to practice wellness daily?
Food is the most obvious way that I practice wellness daily. I love cooking and creating recipes and I have been eating an unprocessed, varied whole foods diet since I became interested in nutrition in my twenties. I also move my body several times each week – I love hiking and yoga. I also enjoy regular self-care practices- everything from using natural skin care to applying castor oil packs.
What do you think the greatest wellness tip you could share with a younger version of yourself is?
I say this a lot, and I wish I could have shared it with my younger self: You can’t “Type A” your way to health. As a self-professed “Type A”, I seem to attract that personality type in my work as well. Although there is clearly something beneficial to working with clients who are ambitious, determined, and motivated to change, I also recognize the stress that “perfectionism” imposes, and the toll it takes on one’s health.
In my observation, the people who are most concerned about doing everything perfectly and micromanaging every detail seem to add an extra burden of stress that inhibits (rather than aids) healing.
For those who aren’t familiar with your industry, how would you explain what you do?
My approach to nutrition combines education, guidance, feedback, and support. I do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to diet and health—or any gimmicks, fads, or quick fixes. I help my clients to make gradual dietary and lifestyle changes in order to address their health concerns and improve their health.
How did you get started working at Mindful Nutrition? How would you describe your experience as a Holistic Health Counselor?
I started my private practice as Whole Nourishment in New York City in January of 2000. After meeting and marrying my amazing husband in 2010 (who is a Holistic Pediatrician and has a practice called Mindful Pediatrics) I changed my business name from Whole Nourishment to Mindful Nutrition to unify our practices and work together.
What’s one thing about your profession you want everyone to know?
To look for someone with experience in the specific condition you are looking for help with. For example, many nutrition counselors address gut health to some degree. However, that is not only the biggest focus of my work but my passion and something I am always learning more and more about. It really is my life’s work.
However, I don’t put that kind of energy into learning about heart disease, for example, but someone else in my field certainly does- so find them if that’s what you are looking for help with!
What have been some of the most rewarding moments in your career in wellness?
It is incredibly rewarding that I have been practicing long enough that some of my first clients not only bring their children to see me, but those “children” are now young adults themselves! I am humbled at the thought that someday I may be in practice long enough to work with their children’s children as well.
Some answers have been edited for length and/or clarity
Mindful Family Medicine combines the nutrition and pediatric practices of Debbie and her husband, Dr. Roy Steinbock. Debbie treats a variety of ailments through her nutrition services, including but not limited to digestive disorders, mood disorders, weight concerns, and stress-related conditions. To work with Debbie on creating a custom nutrition program, contact her through her website to set up an initial phone conversation to begin targeting and treating issues. You can visit Mindful Family Medicine at 75 Manhattan Drive #4, Boulder, Colorado 80303.
At Jlounge, we know that wellness isn’t just skin deep. We’re proud to be featuring a few of our favorite wellness practitioners in the Boulder community this August to connect our clients with new ways to become their healthiest and happiest selves. To learn more about our mission and services offered, please visit our website at jloungespa.com. Want to treat yourself to glowing, healthy skin this month? Book a facial with one of our talented estheticians!
