Journey To Better Health And Wellness With Catherine Courtney

This woman doesn’t just talk the talk, she walks the walk. With a life focused on family and health, Catherine Courtney starts each day early with the intention of helping others be the best possible versions of themselves. Her approach is simple: fuel your body with whole, healthy real food from the earth and move! Not only is Catherine a personal trainer and coach, but also she is the vision behind What’s For Supper, a weekly meal service offering fresh, real food to individuals and families. MyScoop sat down with this inspirational, energizing woman to seek her advice and motivation on life and womanhood.

What inspires you about waking up in the morning? Call me an optimist but I love the idea of a fresh start and another opportunity to get it right. Every day is truly unique and will never happen again so we’d better make the most of it!

Tell us about your typical morning routine? When I was a single mom, it was the only time I had to myself and i cherished it so. Now I carve that time out and protect it fiercely. Lately, I’ve been using a wake up yoga app and I love the way that it starts my day with intention and a great energy. I just naturally wake up between 3:30 and 4:00am. I try not to immediately get on my phone and catch up on texts, emails, social media, etc. but sometimes I get sucked in. I spend about 15 minutes meditating and then I’ll do a little reading/ devotional while I have coffee then i usually clean for a bit. I once heard someone say that cleaning your house with your kids around is like brushing your teeth with Oreos in your mouth, but when I clean first thing in the morning like that, I know it’s going to stay looking good for at least a couple of hours! I’m usually out the door to the gym to train clients or work out by 5:30am.

How does your family inspire you? Those closest to me have heard me say 100 times… I strive to be half the person my children think I am. The way that they look at me when I pick them up from school or when they see me for the first time after a long day makes me feel so loved and I want to try to do my best for them. I just want to make them proud.

I strive to be half the person my children think I am.

What advice would you give women going through life’s trials and tribulations? We are always hardest on ourselves so please allow yourself the same grace that you show others.We all have “stuff“ that we are dealing with and processing. I hate to see women being so hard on themselves but I am guilty of it sometimes too.

What do you choose to eat throughout the day? I feel my best on a whole food plant based diet. I truly believe that you can avoid, mitigate and even heal from a myriad of health issues with the right nutrition.

I truly believe that you can avoid, mitigate and even heal from a myriad of health issues with the right nutrition.

What is your exercise routine? I really love strength training and Reformer Pilates. Most importantly, I think you should move your body every day- just get your blood flowing! You don’t have to do a major workout but go for a walk with a friend (or a dog). Do some stretching. Practice yoga.

How do you motivate yourself to exercise? We all have those days when we just aren’t feeling it but getting started is always the hardest part. When I have those days, I just try to remind myself that you never regret a workout and I know I’ll feel better once i do it.

When I have those days, I just try to remind myself that you never regret a workout and I know I’ll feel better once i do it.

What energy boosting habits do you make part of your daily routine? I love my coffee! And I’ve been experimenting with exogenous ketones.

What are your sleep habits? Since I get up so early, I typically start getting very sleepy while reading to my son around 8… Party animal, i know! I like to be in bed by 9:30 if I’m going to feel my best the next day.

What are your favorite skincare products? I just cannot say enough good things about Rodan+Fields Lash Boost! (And no, I do not sell it!) I wore the artificial lash extensions for over a year and finally decided I wanted to try to grow my own and have been absolutely thrilled with the results.

Describe your personal style. I pretty much live in workout clothes. My husband is so sweet and complimentary when we go out and I actually put on “real clothes” that it reminds me how rarely i fix myself up anymore. Poor guy!

What did you wear as a child? According to my mother, I was a very fastidious child and always laid my clothes out each night as though it was a person laying on the chair… my shirt on top of my little skirt with my tights and shoes at the bottom. I wish I was more like that now!

What is your favorite quote about aging? I’m a BIG mantra/ quote person and i don’t think i can pick one! I will say that almost every day I think about this one: “ I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read and the friends I want to see.” -John Burroughs

How does how you feel now compare to your 20s? I am definitely in better shape at 42 than i was at 22, both mentally and physically. Cliche but I am just much more comfortable in my skin.

What do you love about getting older? Saying no and feeling ok about it. When i was younger, I did not  know how to say no and got pushed in doing a lot of things that I did not want or have the time to do but did not feel comfortable drawing that boundary. Now I understand that every “yes” I give to someone/something is a “no” I am giving to something else. It helps me more clearly evaluate my options and choose with real purpose how I want to spend my time and energy.

Now I understand that every “yes” I give to someone/something is a “no” I am giving to something else.

What do you detest about getting older? Gravity!

What is one thing you wish you could tell your 20 year old self? Don’t marry him. (BTW, I didn’t but I wasted so much time!!)

What is your advice to women in their 20s? It DOES get easier. And do NOT settle. EVER!