Conner

Most of us already know how to eat and live to support our health and well-being. So why don’t we “just do it?”

For many, our crazy-busy lives make it hard to find the time to cook and eat mindfully, and get the movement and rest our bodies need. Restrictive diets, financial constraints, or medical conditions may make self-care difficult. Many people are confused by conflicting wellness advice. And for some, a history of yo-yo dieting, disordered eating, and other emotional challenges can feel overwhelming.

Because everyone has different needs, I have developed a wide range of services: 

  • Coaching for individuals, couples and families to help them shift to simple, sustainable ways of nourishing themselves
  • Group programs that provide compassionate peer support at a lower cost than one-on-one coaching
  • Bespoke services for folks with specific needs, like home-based cooking classes or guided shopping trips

If you’re not sure which approach best suits your needs, please schedule a free 30-minute discovery call to discuss this with me.

My nutritional philosophy is best described as “Mindful Mediterranean”

The Mediterranean way of eating and living is not a “diet” but a set of practices that evolved organically over thousands of years along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. This dietary pattern is supported by more research evidence than any other. If you’d like to learn more about Mediterranean living, this article on my blog provides an overview of this dietary pattern, this one looks at the non-nutritional benefits of Mediterranean lifestyle habits, and this article looks at the vast body of science that supports the Mediterranean approach.

I take a mindfulness-based approach to nutrition that’s free from rigid rules and restrictions. This way of eating not only supports physical well-being but can also help heal your relationship with food and your body, helping you to live a more fulfilled and peaceful life. Check out this blog post, which describes the principles of mindful eating, this post about the proven health benefits of a mindful approach to eating, and this one, in which I recount how I managed a cookie craving with the help of mindful self-compassion.  

All Are Welcome

At Modern Mediterranean and my online community, Savor, I welcome and support individuals of all races, ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, educational levels, body sizes, and health statuses. I believe that access to compassionate, evidence-based nutrition care is a right, not a privilege. My work is grounded in respect, cultural humility, and a weight- and size-inclusive philosophy that honors each person’s experience, values, and goals. I strive to create a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered to cultivate a nourishing relationship with food and body.

My Story

Like many health professionals, I came to this line of work via a series of health struggles. Some 25 years ago, working as a reporter at the Financial Times in London, I spent long hours in a windowless office, rarely exercised or slept enough, and sugar, coffee, and adrenaline were my primary fuel sources. I was plagued by recurring sinus infections, eczema, acne, irritable bowel syndrome, and wildly fluctuating energy levels. When I was diagnosed with early-stage cervical cancer at 33, I knew it was time to make changes. 

My doctor encouraged me to adopt a more nutritious diet, prioritize sleep, take gentle exercise, and develop stress management tools. I soon noticed I had more energy, calmer sinuses, smoother skin, and fewer digestive troubles. I was so impressed by these changes that I quit journalism to train as a nutritionist. I also began preparing meals from scratch after years of rushed convenience meals. 

Moving to southwestern France in 2001 fanned the flames of my culinary interest. During the 11 years I spent cooking, eating, and living among the French, I came to love the Mediterranean way of eating and living. In 2012, I moved to Boulder, Colorado, where it’s surprisingly easy to live like a Mediterranean, even with Italy, Spain, Greece, and southern France far, far away.

 

Education & Certifications
  • Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition® and Certified Nutrition Professional, National Association of Nutrition Professionals 
  • Licensed Am I Hungry?® Mindful Eating Program Facilitator
  • Diploma in Nutritional Therapy with Distinction from the Institute for Optimum Nutrition, London, UK
  • Registered “Foresight” Practitioner (British pre-conception consultancy)
  • Certificate in Counseling from Birkbeck College, London University 
  • B.Sc. London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE)
  • I am trilingual in English, French, and German, and work with clients all over the world

Conner Middelmann