Today we’d like to introduce you to Bonni Wildesen Hise.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Growing up in Maryland, right on the border of DC, I was an underweight child who shot up to 5’8″ at the age of 11. Being tall and lanky, and under nourished led to many injuries, and long-standing nutrition ailments. I was taught to eat whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. As a child, I simply did not want to eat, I was bored with the process of eating, and felt it was “too much trouble.” My parents did what they could to put food into my body, and get me to eat. Around the time I reached the age of 19, I began gaining weight. I was no longer running around climbing trees, playing baseball, and had stopped dancing as I had throughout my childhood. I was also in a tumultuous relationship with a verbally and emotionally abusive man. I went on to marry him at the age of 23, continuing to gain weight, until I was carrying an extra 100 pounds. One year after the relationship became physically abusive, I built up the courage to leave and never returned.
After this time, I tried to lose the weight. I tried all the quick fixes, and even attempted to stick with healthier nutrition programs like Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig. Which are excellent programs that simply didn’t work for me. I would lose 30-40 pounds, get excited, decide I had the program down, and then would gradually return to my unhealthy habits. Gaining the weight back, plus 5 to 10 pounds each time. After running my first marathon at age 27, and not having lost any weight, I was diagnosed with hypoglycemia. This was my wake-up call. The moment when I realized that what I was doing was not working! I needed help and a different approach.
It took a while for this realization to sink in, and a year of commitment to myself, which included moving to Southern California and meeting excellent, caring health coaches. At the age of 30, I was able to lose the weight, and gained habits which were life changing. I did not diet, and did not give up on myself, thanks greatly to the support of my nutritionist and Personal Trainer. When I was down, or giving up, they knew just how to connect and help me let go. I transformed my life, and over the years I have slowly incorporated more and more holistic, all natural protocols and products into my life. I fell in love with the idea of sharing the message they taught me, and became a trainer during the last few months of my weight loss. Over these years, it has been the greatest feeling to see others feel what I did, challenge them, and surprise them by achieving goals they previously thought impossible.
After spending a year in San Diego, penniless, and living on friend’s couches, I finally moved to Austin. My sister gave me a place to stay, and a fresh start. Just before moving to Austin, my folks saw me, and were fearful I would not survive another 6 months. I was frail, malnourished, and struggling to keep my head above water. The year I spent struggling was the hardest of my life. I was trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle on less than a dollar a day in one of the most expensive cities in the country. Needless to say, I ate a LOT of bean burritos! This time also taught me what it was like to struggle to eat, to find shelter, and left me homeless without a car or roof over my head a few nights. I will always have a greater understanding, sense of empathy, and compassion for those who are in that position. I am now an advocate for helping our communities be fed, housed and healthy.
A few months after my 40th birthday, I woke up violently sick and realized that I had gained 35 pounds within 6-weeks. My nutrition had not changed; my activity levels had been consistent. I had no explanation, and needed answers. The easy answer for this incident is a nutrition allergy or intolerance of some sort. One elimination diet later, I discovered an allergy to dairy. My all-time favorite can’t live without food has always been ice cream. This diagnosis was initially devastating for me. Today, I’m ok with it. I have discovered a love for banana and avocado ice cream, which can be made fresh, and tastes amazing!
Since my dairy diagnosis, I have met my husband, and was married in May of 2015 on the beach in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Last year my husband was offered a new job, which brought us to Dallas. In addition to working with clients, I am currently an active full-time student earning my degree in Complementary & Alternative Medicine with a minor in Holistic Nutrition, which will be followed by a Doctorate in Nutrition & Integrative Health. I have also earned the education levels for the role of Clinical Aromatherapist and Master Herbalist, along with several Nutrition Specialist certifications. My education has allowed me to pursue my passions and share with my clients the knowledge I have gained, and products I have discovered along my path. Over the years I have helped hundreds of women gain confidence, lose weight, and meet previously unforeseen goals. As a Holistic Nutritionist, my passion is delving deeper into clean nutrition, all-natural products and a holistic lifestyle.
I started Living Kleen before moving to the Dallas area, in hopes of spreading the truth and helping to eliminate confusion about achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. In February, I joined the team at Be Zen Holistic Wellness Center and we are now working together to help others heal the unhealthy aspects of their lives. The women at Be Zen are fabulous health partners and friends. I am excited about our future and the programs we have started and the few we are putting finishing touches on. Our mutual goal really is to spread the message of health, eliminate confusion and to identify (and resolve) the hidden issues plaguing many people.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road from weight loss to today has had its ups and downs, and there were a few very rocky roads. The worst was my time in San Diego. While it taught me a great deal, I would never wish for anyone to be homeless or struggling in the manner that I did. During my time in San Diego, I was constantly struggling to find at least a dollar a day to live on, many times this resulted in paying for a cup of unlimited coffee refills with pennies. It was embarrassing, but gave me insight into what it is really like for many people in our world. I also learned what the term “sustainable nutrition” really means, and how to stretch the little money I had into enough calories to survive. I did try some fast food places with 2 for $1 deals, and always ended up feeling hungry again within an hour. Ultimately, struggling turned into anorexia due to the minimal amount of food I was eating. I was visiting a friend in December 2010, the end of my final year in San Diego, when I stepped onto the WiFit scale to create a character and his big screen tv displayed my weight as 118 lbs. I almost passed out! I had begun to feel fat again, and saw all this blubber on my belly, and did not realize how frail I had become. I knew in my head that my healthy weight is between 135-145 lbs., and understood the psychological side effects of anorexia, and was shocked to discover this is what I had become. My mom says now that when she saw me she didn’t think I would live another six months. A few months later, I moved to Austin, and began to heal my life and myself. I am now able to use the lessons learned during this time to help clients who may find themselves in similar situations.
So, let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Living Kleen story. Tell us more about the business.
After thirteen years as a Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach, I felt the drive to pursue a more holistic approach for my client’s health and nutrition, which is why Living Kleen was started. My practice offers private and community food education, farm, farmer’s market and grocery store tours, healthy cooking and grocery story seminars, plus outdoor adventures. Additionally, my clients receive customized herbal blends and aromatherapy products to help them in their wellness journey. Within the next six months, the most popular products will be available for purchase including a deodorant and power oil. I am still testing these to ensure quality and universal use.
My specialties include helping people discover the nutritional blockages or other body ailments that prevent them from losing weight and feeling healthier; and helping those who have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, celiac, food allergies/sensitivities and other chronic ailments learn how to manage symptoms and outbreaks through nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. Living Kleen programs start with a free consultation session, which either leads into a customized plan or one of our structured programs, groups or classes. My partnership with Audra Whatley, L.A.c., CFMP, founder of Be Zen Holistic Wellness Center, allows us to combine our services and provide additional functional medicine, acupuncture and energy healing services to help clients heal and be healthier long-term. Our programs provide meal plans, including shopping lists and recipes, and education on why a person would choose the foods they should, manage cravings, and how to eat for their body and feed their family well.
I am most proud of finding a focus and drive that truly helps others, and the partnerships that allow me to spread the truth about healthy eating and exercise. I love teaching and helping others discover themselves and their specific needs just as I did years ago. What sets me apart is my creativity, personal experience, and an obsession for transforming recipes into tasty, healthier versions. I understand what it is like to struggle with health issues, unexplained weight gain, losing a significant amount of weight, and recovering from food allergies as well as anorexia, which helps me connect and relate personally to my clients.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t know that good or bad luck has played a part in my life and business. If anything, I would say that while I do believe in luck, many of the things that have happened in my life were created by decisions and choices I made. I do believe that a higher power definitely had a hand in my meeting Audra as well as meeting my husband. Both of these relationships seem to be manifestations of what I said to someone along the way about my “perfect” business ally and spouse. My husband and I say we met because of a happy accident, which I truly in my heart of hearts believe to be true. After I had moved to McKinney, many of the people I met said that I just *had* to meet Audra. When we finally met months later, it felt as though we were meant to be in the same space and collaboratively helping others. In essence, this is what has occurred, and almost seamlessly. She provides elements of healing that I am not able to, while I provide the nutrition perspective and some insight into a client’s fitness and nutrition. It is a symbiotic professional relationship that I hope to continue fostering for years to come.
Pricing:
- Wellness Consultation Session – Free
- Initial Consultation Session – $179
- Follow-up Sessions – $89
- Health Transformation Packages – starting at $440
Contact Info:
- Address: c/o Be Zen Wellness Center, 515 W. Main Street, #110, Allen, TX 75013
- Website: http://www.livingkleen.com
- Phone: 469-654-2411
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/livingkleen
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/livingkleen
- Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/livingkleen
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/living-kleen-mckinney
- Other: http://www.pinterest.com/livingkleen
Image Credit:
BitBranding
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