Here's What Some Of My Clients Had To Say!
After struggling with Lyme disease, parasites and other infections for several years, Lauren was the force I needed on my team to push me into remission. She was looking at the full picture, not just symptoms. Lauren's intake was thorough, and she focused on everything inside, outside and everything in between.
Our calls were focused and strategic. She was addressing every aspect of my life- from the water I drank and what I drank it in, to my hormone levels, stool analysis and a customized nutrition plan which focused on lowering inflammation in my body. I made major changes that were difficult at first, but I grew to love them. When Lauren says to do something, you LISTEN! She was always right, and HONEST!
Lauren had me test different things and after a month if they didn't work, she would let me get things like my afternoon apple back! With some trial and error, we were able to perfect what my body needed to thrive. Now I have something to follow long-term.
Her comprehensive knowledge made a huge difference in my life. I was able to move from a stage of suffering, to living again. I trust Lauren indefinitely with my health and I would highly recommend her because she will FIGHT for your health!
Danielle
Lauren is an amazing coach, mentor, fitness and nutrition guru! Over the years that Lauren has worked with me, she has coached me through 6 NPC bikini competitions (placing top 3 in all but one, thanks to her guidance!), off season nutrition, as well as balanced 'LIFE' nutrition and overall wellness. She brought me to a next level with training and nutrition, and most of all, made it FUN and very tailored to what I enjoy. Her knowledge of healthy living and wellness is extensive and I have learned so much from Lauren over the years. I really like that Lauren focuses on natural and holistic solutions. She really made sure my body was performing at it's all-time best, and took an 'inside-out' approach to build my metabolism and my overall strength and endurance. She is so motivating and truly cares about her clients. Lauren's ability to work with all types of clients, body types, and ages is something very rare to find. With Lauren, I was able to reach my goals and learn about healthy living, making changes in my daily habits that will last a lifetime!
Amanda Wehbie
I approached Lauren in December of 2015 with the goal of competing in the bikini division of the NPC. I had only competed once before and knew very little of the process. At the time I was working the night shift full-time as a registered nurse 7p-7am. Lauren and I worked closely together to create a regimented schedule to accommodate this. Lauren coached me for 3 years helping me earn 2 overall NPC titles including the North Carolina State Championship as well as 3 national level shows earning a top 10 placement in two of those competitions. While the titles and rankings were amazing, what Lauren taught me runs much deeper than any trophy could prove! She opened my eyes to the power of nutrition and the impact that proper nutrition, supplementation, and training can have on your happiness, confidence, and overall well being! Lauren is a wealth of knowledge and the impact she had on my life could hardly be summed up in a simple paragraph (although I hope this gives you a glimpse)! Her passion and impact on others is simply undeniable. I am so lucky to have Lauren as a mentor and friend.
Shannon Lane - BSN, RN and IFBB Bikini Pro
Working with Lauren was an incredible experience. Post baby, early 40’s, hormones shifting, I felt stuck. I had tried what a knew to do and it wasn’t working. I told her (verbatim) “I want my sexy back.” She delivered.
At the time, she didn’t typically train “non-competing clients.” She worked with me briefly in the past to help prep for a contest & said she would work with me but would train me in that way if I was willing. I was. She took into consideration my hormones, & medically related issues. While I knew Lauren knew her stuff, her knowledge of nutrition, fitness, supplements, the body, medical conditions, & hormones pretty much blew me away. Through this process I learned how to eat for my blood type and how to tweak precise little things that made a huge difference. I have learned so much about my body, myself, and how to eat that I can now apply to my life on my own.
Lauren is dedicated, a master at her craft & truly has a calling to help people be the BEST version of themselves. So, if you are looking to make real changes, to eat real food to get real results, ready to be serious, and for someone that will be straight with you (be warned, she will) and to hold you accountable, Lauren is your girl.
Dr Janet Albers
I first met Lauren Valentino in January of 2014. At the time I was a competitive powerlifter, my husband was deployed to Afghanistan and I was encouraged by a friend to try a women’s physique competition which had long since been a “once in a lifetime” goal of mine. I began my contest prep relying on my own knowledge and experience having been a competitive athlete in multiple sports for nearly 30 years at the time (gymnastics, track & field, CrossFit, weightlifting and powerlifting). Additionally, I have a degree in exercise physiology and have spent my entire adult life in the fitness industry in roles including personal trainer, strength coach, seminar leader, speaker, manager and gym owner.
The friend that encouraged me to compete suggested that I visit Lauren to learn about posing for WPD and what an NPC competition entails. I had previously had some bad experiences when seeking out this information so I was willing to give it a shot. When I met Lauren I was blown away by her expertise, attention to detail, ability to encourage, heathy positive mindset but most of all by who she was a a person - Lauren was and is the living embodiment of health, fitness and an all around lifestyle that I admire which includes her devotion to her family and loved ones and striking balance in her life.
It became apparent to me that I had a lot to learn from Lauren and chose to hire her to coach me for my first show - something that I was previously convinced that I could do myself. Lauren guided me every step of the way through the contest prep process but most uniquely demonstrated a concern for me as an individual placing my emotional, psychological and physical health above all else. The approach focused on long term health, building good habits, education and sustainability - very different than any contest prep plan I had ever seen. Within weeks of starting her plan I felt better, looked better, performed better, slept better and had more energy that I ever had before.
Three months after starting with Lauren I stepped on stage for the first time at the NPC North Carolina State Championships feeling fully prepared. I was elated when I won the overall division. Lauren encouraged me to continue with the sport seeing how much I enjoyed it. Working with her I did my first national show, the Jr USA’s less than two months later and finished in the top ten. Lauren knew that my goal was to attain my IFBB pro card and we made the decision to push through the summer and compete at the 2014 North Americans together. Short story, the North Americans was one of the most happy and personally satisfying days of my life. Both Lauren and I won our pro cards in our respective divisions that day. I was astounded that with Lauren’s guidance I achieved pro status less than five short months of stepping on stage for the first time and eight months after deciding to do “a show”.
And the rest as they say is history…. Lauren continues to serve as a role model to me, an inspiration, a wealth of knowledge and most importantly a dear friend. Her message will always stick with me and I do my very best to share it with others.
Gillian Ward
IFBB Pro WPD; 3rd Place 2008 CrossFit Games; Powerlifting World Record Holder; Guiness Book of World Record’s record holder; Super League World Champion
My time with Lauren began after competing in NPC Bodybuilding competitions. I felt lost and hopeless feeling that I had destroyed my metabolism trying to get “stage lean.” Talking with Lauren for the first time, I finally had a sense of peace and had full trust in her knowledge and coaching abilities. Her goal the entire time I worked with her was HEALTH and fitness. Coming from a diet of eating 800 calories and doing an hour of cardio daily, yet gaining weight, I felt hopeless. Lauren changed that. She gave me her undivided attention and provided me with individualized weekly meal plans and workout regimes. Additionally, she took the time to explain, in detail, why I was eating the foods I was eating, and how the workouts were going to help what I saw to be “problem areas.” While it may sound cliché, Lauren Valentino changed my life. Because of her, I have freedom. No food anxiety, no binging and most importantly she gave me balance. Lauren V is the best there is. Her well rounded knowledge in all aspects of health and fitness truly shine with you work with her.
Brittany Laraia
I was referred to Lauren in early 2010 and started working with her after a brief email exchange where I felt we connected right away to prepare for my first bodybuilding/figure competition that Spring. I competed in 5 shows that year, including 1 National Level and really fell in love with the process and the sport because of her. I competed again in 2012 and 2013 under her coaching. With Lauren’s guidance I got my first class win in the NC State Championship and top 10 at Jr USA’s both in 2013!
Lauren is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to nutrition, training and competing. I learned so much from her during our years working together. Not just about the sport, but about proper nutrition (not just for bodybuilding but for life/health) and training effectively. That is something I really respect and appreciate about her as a coach. She would always explain why we were doing what we were doing and answered any questions I had. It was never a ‘do this because I said so’ it was always a ‘here’s the plan or changes we are making and why’.
Lauren always remained professional but really got to know me as an individual. I felt she had a well vested interest in my health. Always prioritizing my health (mentally and physically) each and every prep we went through, to include after the show was over. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking to compete (she’s also an amazing posing coach!) as well as anyone looking for a coach to guide them to a healthier lifestyle.
Amber Sparling
If there was anything in the world I was most resistant to, it was exercising, eating healthy, and committing to changing my lifestyle. It felt nearly impossible and I’ve tried a million times before but Lauren is more than a nutritionist, she is a coach.
Lauren wouldn’t let me slack on myself, but she was still a friend who could relate to me, and stuck by me when I had a hard time or a silly question. Instead of telling me what to do, she taught me why I should do it. She asked me questions and got to know my body and tailored my plan around that, which made all the difference. I didn’t know how unhappy I was until I had this new feeling to compare to. I am lighter, more energized, clearer, and happier. Lauren didn’t put me on a diet, she physically and mentally rewired me. She gave me the gift of having more confidence, reminding me that my goals were possible, and I was never far from a whole new life.
Joie Giordano, Musician
At the age of 34, I was married and raising four kids on my own. I weighed 98 pounds with rocks in my pockets and desperately wanted to change. 2 years, 3 trainers and facilities, and thousands of dollars later. I finally did.
I stepped on stage for the first time in June 2011, as a bikini contestant. Coming in at 112 on stage, middle or end of the lineup, I went for judges’ notes. I wanted to know what I was not doing right. “My weight was too small, I came in too hard with too much muscle for a bikini line up, and my posing needed work. “But I was on the right track.” I continued to train and entered my second show in June 2012, this time as a 118-pound figure model. (Looking back, I laugh. I was nowhere near ready) Once again I was on the right track but, still needed muscle, muscle, muscle…I was simply too small. That is when someone referred me to Lauren Valentino. This woman CHANGED MY LIFE! I had worked with coaches before; diet coaches, trainers, stage coaches. From the moment I spoke to Lauren on the phone, I knew THIS was going to be different. She asked me four things that I will never forget…1.) What is your goal? 2.) What is your end game? 3.) How hard are you willing to work? 4.) How bad do you want it? After I answered, she proceeded to tell me “I don’t take everyone on as clients. Let’s have a sit down and see if we are a match. But first you need to make sure you are willing to do exactly what I tell you to, even if you don’t like it.
Lauren, spent the first few months, scratching her head, cause everything she tried, failed. My body was only taking baby steps, when she thought it would take leaps. Her knowledge was incredible and She NEVER GAVE UP! She went back to the drawing board every single week!! First time she had worked with someone with such a, “freakish metabolism”. Making changes to my dietary needs, to my workout plans, to my mental notes she wanted me to say to myself every day. Lauren not only wants to create amazing bodies but, she wants those amazing bodies to have healthy minds. “I can’t” does not exist in a conversation with Lauren. “I will” is what she accepted. I was spending money on loads of vitamins and supplements. I had 2 gym memberships and struggled putting time into my workouts that I thought it needed and still be able to be a good mom. She quickly found the protein and vitamin supplements that my body needed. Wrote workouts that got me in and out of the gym, while still getting the work done and still allowed me to be a mom! I had more energy than ever before and was finally making gains!!
Slowly and surely…TOGETHER we would not only put on 10 pounds of lean mass and go on to win first place in my age group and second overall…but I would become more EMOTIONALLY EMPOWERED, MENTALLY KNOWLEDGEABLE, AND PHYSCIALLY HEALTHY than I had ever been before.
Together we fought through my weight issues, my divorce, me raising 4 kids and making time for myself…and more than anything she taught me how to LOVE ME again!! Taking care of ourselves can seem like the most selfish thing we can do sometimes. It takes time. It takes money. It takes motivation. All of the things I thought I did not have as a single mother. She showed me differently. I did have the time if managed correctly. The money I saved by not having too many baskets. And the RESULTS would become my motivation. Being selfish is sometimes needed in order to remain excellent in all other areas of life. Making me a BETTER ME, simply made us a BETTER US! Don’t get me wrong…she doesn’t work, unless you do!! She always expected me to do MY PART!! ITS HARD!! IT HURTS!! And ITS WORTH IT!
6 years later…I still hear her words in times when I struggle with motivation. I still see her choices for me when I struggle with food choices and still hear her voice when I need a friend’s shoulder to cry on.
She NEVER GIVES UP! She NEVER GIVES IN! She NEVER QUITS!! Even when you want to…
Forever Changed for the better
-Mackenzie Day
I reached out to lauren when I decided I wanted to get back on the IFBB Pro stage after a five year hiatus. I knew from my previous experience with coaches and competitions that I was looking for a coach who was just as concerned about my health as I am. I knew from our first conversation that Lauren was the coach for me. Throughout each step of the process she was knowledgeable, informative and approachable. I got back on stage looking better than I ever had but more importantly, I felt strong and healthy.
Kristin Nunn Miles - IFBB Figure Pro
I’ve had the fortunate experience of having worked with Lauren Valentino for the past several years as I pursued the stage for body building. I watched as she created a beautifully sculpted body as she prepared for the stage and had a great deal of knowledge in the area of nutrition, weight lifting and general healthy living. Most importantly, she emphasized a natural approach that would not interfere with her clients’ metabolism and health. After hip surgery (I wasn’t going to be held down) I knew I HAD to work with her! Thankfully, she was willing to work with me and became my coach, mentor and friend. While the gym is not new to me, Lauren took me to a place I’ve never been! I look forward to continuing the ‘Lauren’ lifestyle of being fabulous, fit and healthy!
Dr. Raymonde Kleinberg, PhD, LLM
Working with Lauren has been amazing for me. I am a trainer and a club owner for 34 years. I help everyone else, and I overlook myself as a trainer. I reached out to Lauren after a nasty back injury, which resulted in back surgery. I gained 20 pounds because I could not work out for a while, I became discouraged and just was not motivated. I hired Lauren to help me get back on track and to hold me accountable. Within six weeks I had lost 13lbs and ate plenty of food which she had personally written my diet and was exercising every day without back pain! Which was a miracle to me!
If you need the motivation to get back on track and to become healthy for your life long fitness journey, I highly recommend this awesome lady!
Tammy Crowley-Deloatch, Gym Owner and Master Chef
Congratulations Lauren Valentino!
You are “The Coach” who is experience in all aspects: nutrition/training/posing/fashion and so much more! Having you as my coach in my first ever (bikini) competition at 43, made prepping less stressful, attainable and even fun.
I’m excited for everyone all over the nation/world to finally have access to your wide array of healthy lifestyle knowledge. Your blog will be a great resource for someone, somewhere, who needs just a little push/encouragement to lit the fire within!
Arlyn Gardner