The best personalities on Instagram and across social media are those feel like you’re friends with,  just by watching their Instagram stories.  Rachael Schwartz, this week’s Mom IRL, is as relatable as they come.  A mom of two, Rachael turned her passion for health, wellness and nutrition into a thriving business…all thanks to the pandemic (and her tenacity!)  Instead of behind a desk, these days you can in the palm of your hand, sharing some of the best and most realistic healthy living tips on Instagram.  When not on the ‘gram, Rachael is working one-on-one with her clients as a nutrition coach through Rachael Schwartz Nutrition.  We recently caught up with her to learn how she made her career change, how it’s going, and what working at home through the pandemic with two little kids is really like!

Name: Rachael Schwartz

Age: Over 30 but younger than 40.

Kid(s) and Ages: Bowie (girl, 6), Knox (boy, 2.5)

Where do you live? Financial District NY, NY

Tell us about Rachael Schwartz Nutrition…

I am a feisty mother of two that never stops. I have always pushed myself to the extremes (not always in a good way), but always want to feel challenged to some capacity. I transitioned my social media profile from personal to business a few years ago after I became really passionate about helping others with their nutrition/fitness. I fell into the box of thinking I was too old to switch careers until one day I was like…I MUST do this or at least TRY to do this. ­Ultimately that passion turned into a reality and is now I’m my own boss of Rachael Schwartz Nutrition as a one-on-one virtual nutrition coach!

Now, I work one on one with people, mostly women, on not only weight loss but developing a healthier relationship with food and getting them to the point where they view food as a lifestyle not a diet.

How did you start your business? 

I worked as a project manager for over 10 years in the corporate world and although it taught me a lot it never felt like the right fit. As a side hustle I always doubled as a group fitness instructor at Equinox.  I wanted to be able to turn health and wellness into a full time job but wasn’t sure how. At the same time I was struggling with own nutrition and winded up doing a deep dive into the health and wellness world—specifically functional medicine and gut health—and developed my own new eating patterns that allowed me to not only shed weight but helped with many digestive issues I was having and I wanted to learn more!

While it wasn’t doable financially or time wise to enroll in school for a Master’s full time, I found the Institute of Integrative Nutrition an online health coaching program. I enrolled in their one year online program where I was able to balance that with my full time 9-5, and 2 kids!

What piece of advice would you give to other women who are looking to start their own business or make a career shift or pivot?

I would say if you are so passionate about something that it is all mind and body consuming, then no matter what age you are you have to find a way to go after it. And that may and probably will come with some/many sacrifices that you must be willing to make. I would also tell them it’s really freaking hard and takes full commitment so if you want to succeed you either need to be all in or out.

You are very open on your IG account about your own struggles with weight, what made you decide to be so forthcoming with this information?

It was always very important for me to connect with my followers, making them feel comfortable on my page as opposed to intimidated, and feel confident in me that I walk my talk. I want them to feel like they can relate to me, to know that I am not just this little chick trying to constantly pump them with advice that I never had to take myself. I think my business is thriving because people have seen where I’ve been and I’ve worked through struggles just like them. It’s hard to follow health advice, specifically weight loss advice, when it seems like the person never had to struggle themselves. How do they know what you’re feeling? Thinking? Doing behind closed doors? I know, because I was them…I was a little bit of all of them at one point or another and they can feel that through the screen.

Mealtime is a struggle for so many parents.  What are some of your go-tos that your entire family enjoys for dinner?

Pretty typical but they work! Taco night is always a winner! Pasta with meatballs (I sub out me and Collin’s pasta for spaghetti squash), air fryer panko chicken thighs with with veggies and homemade sweet potato fries!

Finish this sentence. I can’t live without…….

This can go many ways hahhaha!   Well first I would say my family obv. But I will go with group fitness (when the world opens up). I am a group fitness junkie. I love making eye contact with strangers and making that connection that you know how they’re feeling. I love getting lost in music and movement and amazing instructors and being able to take out whatever was going on mentally through sweating. This was one of the hardest parts of the lockdown for me…I cried my eyes out of happiness when Soul Cycle reopened in NYC it honestly got me through the past few months on so many levels.

How do you balance it all?  Do you have any #momhacks to share that makes this easier?

I don’t! I honestly feel like I’m constantly running around like a chicken without a head. That being said I am a PLANNER. Everything is on the calendar or it doesn’t exist. This probably sounds cliché coming from a nutrition coach, but my mom hack is to get your diet and exercise in order and then you overall will have more energy and feel more balanced even when it seems like you’re life is spiraling. Take advantage of the things you CAN control, because especially right now, everything is a free for all.

Talk to us about mom guilt…do you have it?  How do you combat it?

I definitely have it! Especially through COVID and spending so much more time with your children, the few times I do leave them, feels odd! I have more guilt when it comes to quality time. I need to work on this. I feel like the days are so go go go that we never sit down and just be. I want to get better about practicing reading with my daughter, being present with my son and not just toting him around like a baby, putting down my phone which is VERY HARD for me and disconnecting from social media, again VERY HARD for me.

What’s at least one regular family routine you have implemented to keep your family running smooth?

If I’m being totally honest, NONE right now!

Who is in your mom tribe and how did you meet them?

My college girls from University of Madison-Wisconsin! Go Badgers! I’ve had the same group of friends since 2001. We have a group text chain that we hit up daily which consists of us bitching and complaining about anything and everything to the best deals at Sephora.

What is one piece of advice for new moms that you wish someone told you before motherhood?

That it’s way f-ing harder than you can even ever imagine but also way more amazing and rewarding than you can ever imagine.

When you have time to yourself, what do you like to do?

Very typical. Gym, nails, facial, massage, hair, eyelashes….I like to get PAMPERED.

What is your number one guilty pleasure?

Even though the coach in me doesn’t like to use the word “guilt” when it comes to food (if that’s what we’re talking about)….Pizza! 100% I can eat an entire pie in one sitting no joke.

Last show you binge watched

Bridgerton obviously 🙂

Last book you read.

OMG honestly I’m embarrassed I don’t think I’ve read a book since before Bowie (who’s 6 now!). And I think it was by Dr. Mark Hyman called “What the Heck Should I Eat?” I only read nutrition and exercise books usually for research.

Number one thing you miss about pre-pandemic life.

Kissing my friends hello, late night cocktails at the Edition Hotel and talking to random strangers, group fitness as noted above, and being able to see my sister without having to go taking a fucking test beforehand.

Number one thing you do not miss about pre-pandemic life.

Going to an office everyday where I hated my job! I was still at my 9-5 when COVID hit, and I’m happy and proud to say that I never have to go back to that office (or job!) ever again!

First thing you will do when the pandemic is over.

Hug and kiss all of my friends and family, oh and anyone else I see on the street because I’m in some major need of extra human touch!

One silver lining that came from the pandemic.

My business!!! I took it from part-time to full-time and it’s now thriving more than I ever! I would’ve never been able to put the time and work into it if the pandemic didn’t happen.

Is there anything else that you want our audience to know about you, your business, or any last piece of advice you want to give?

If you want to make a change in your life whether that’s diet, exercise, career, whatever, you are the ONLY thing that’s getting in your own way. Give yourself more credit, put more faith into your capabilities. It’s NOT easy but it’s simple. Take it one day at a time and you can get to where you want to be or at least start working your way there.

Make sure you follow Rachael Schwartz @rachaelschwartznutrition for recipes, health and wellness tips and daily motivation.  We’re hooked and we promise you will be too!  If you’re looking for more from Rachael, make sure to check out her website http://www.rachaelschwartznutrition.com.

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