During the Spring of 2016, we had an opportunity to offer our members a Team Training Challenge; an 8 week program designed to get our members moving, lose weight, improve healthy living habits, and create a supportive, encouraging environment. Each team participated in a twice a weekly personal training session and along the way, there were fitness and nutrition challenges. It was a pleasure to have Cassandra as an integral part of our Team Training Challenge. She provided our members weekly nutrition challenges that were progressive yet attainable and held the participants accountable. At key points during the challenge Cassandra lead 2 Nutrition Seminars that were both educational and engaging. We learned helpful tips about reading and understanding food labels, mindful eating, portion sizes, the effects of sugar, the importance of preparing foods in advance, and so much more. She made herself available for one on one assistance for any of our members who wanted to discuss their individual diets. 

All of our participants reported that they were able to take the information learned and incorporate it into their daily eating habits. We had an average weight loss of 3 lbs, however, one of our members lost a total of 12 lbs by utilizing small changes she learned from Cassandra.
This partnership between exercise and diet created a lot of buzz and our members couldn’t wait to join the challenge when it was first announced. I can’t imagine this program without Cassandra and her passion for nutrition and educating our members about a healthy diet. She really made such a difference and we can’t thank her enough!

Here are some of the things participates shared following the challenge: 
“The nutrition aspect and guidance from Cassandra was most helpful for me.” 
"Thanks to Cassandra's seminars my fiancée and I have made small changes over time and have seen and felt a difference in our energy levels." 
"The Altman rule she brought to our attention has really helped me to think about what I put into my body and how it will affect my persistent joint inflammation issues. I learned that sugar, as much as I love it, is really a huge contributing factor to this issue which I never knew!" 
"Cassandra presented information to us in a 'straightforward, easy to understand, easy to make adjustments, no judgements' way. She, in no way, made me feel guilty about my eating habits or how they were possibly affecting me negatively in my quest for better health and for that, I thank her!" 
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Again, working with Cassandra was a pleasure.  We look forward to putting on another challenge in the future and working with her again to help our members reach their fitness and nutrition goals! 
 
-Liz W., Health and Wellness Director of the Wang YMCA

         Cassandra is an extremely accommodating, diligent nutritionist who goes the extra mile for her patients.  She took genuine care in working with me to improve my diet and lifestyle, introducing an array of supplements and lab tests to correctly diagnose what triggers certain symptoms.  I can't thank her enough for all she did for me!

- Geoff S., Age 35, 2018