About me
My Story
I had no idea who I was when I was a teen.
I looked around me and thought hey if I can eat less, exercise more, and get praised for it, I must be doing something right. Soon, I felt that by controlling the size of my body I was succeeding at life. But I eventually developed osteopenia, experienced stress fractures, and temporarily lost my period. I stopped feeling hunger and stopped feeling strong emotions. I was numb.
What did I really want? It had nothing to do with my body. I wanted acceptance, safety, and comfort. I wanted to feel capable and good. What did I really need? I needed to understand that my body was only one part of me, and that trying to control my body didn’t give me more control over my life. I needed to sit with myself long enough to understand my own thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and values so that I could feel whole and sturdy on my own two feet. I needed to stop letting external praise dictate my sense of self-worth.
Fast forward to today….I have three daughters. I get to help them figure out who they are, trust themselves, and take risks.
What is Authenticity? Self-awareness AND the courage to put self-awareness into practice.
Learn more about
My Mission
I help girls:
- know and trust themselves
- experiment with ways to actually be who they want to be out in the world
- understand that their value in inherent, not contingent upon their performance
- explore anxiety and the body’s stress response
- notice feelings without letting feelings take the wheel
- feel the nerves and do it anyway
- ask important questions about failures + obstacles
- genuinely support other girls without unhealthy competition
ABOUT ME
Integrative Health Coach
I’m Ali Culliford. I live in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina with my husband, our three daughters, two dogs, and so many plants.
I have a master’s degree in curriculum and teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University and earned my teaching certification and bachelor’s degree in human development from Connecticut College. I was an elementary school teacher and tutor for ten years. I earned my health coach certification from The Institute for Integrative Nutrition.
Guided by my training and my personal experiences, I help kids + parents feel secure and connected.
My Approach
A Look Inside Coaching Sessions
Getting Started
We’ll look at what’s already working and what’s going well. Then we’ll shift towards what’s not working/what’s missing.
Zooming In
We'll identify areas to explore and learn to sit in this space for a bit.
Taking Steps
We’ll work together to create an individualized plan. You’ll get practical tools and strategies to try right away. I’ll be there cheering you on.
Transformation
We'll monitor progress and troubleshoot along the way. We'll identify areas of growth and build a relationship of continued support.
Let's GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER
Schedule a Free Consultation
Consultations are complimentary and noncommittal. I would love to hear from you if you are interested in coaching sessions, want more info about an upcoming workshop, or just want to talk.
