We recently connected with Dr. Supatra Tovar and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. Supatra, appreciate you joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?
One of the most transformative moments in my professional journey occurred during a seemingly ordinary Pilates session, which unexpectedly shifted the entire course of my career. As I guided my client through her exercises, she began to share her struggles with relentless dieting and her profound sense of defeat with each cycle of weight loss and gain. Her story deeply resonated with me, reflecting not only my own challenges but those of countless others I had encountered.
This conversation marked a critical turning point for me. I realized in that moment that while I was equipped to assist with physical fitness, I lacked the tools to address the deeper, more pervasive issues of psychological and emotional well-being that so fundamentally affected health and fitness outcomes. It highlighted a glaring gap in my ability to fully support my clients, underscoring the need for a more integrated approach to wellness that encompassed mental and nutritional health alongside physical fitness.
Motivated by this revelation, I decided to further my education in nutritional science and later pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology. This expanded understanding allowed me to adopt a holistic view of health, recognizing the intricate connections between the mind, body, and nutrition.
The wisdom I gained from this experience is that recognizing our limitations can lead to significant professional growth and transformation. It taught me the importance of a comprehensive approach to health—considering the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects collectively—and inspired me to create resources like “Deprogram Diet Culture.” This approach aims to empower individuals to reclaim their health on their terms, fostering lasting change through self-compassion and a deeper understanding of the root causes of their struggles.
This defining moment not only altered my professional path but also reinforced my commitment to addressing the underlying issues that impact health and well-being, ensuring a more supportive and effective environment for those I serve.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am Dr. Supatra Tovar, a clinical psychologist, dietitian, nutritionist, and certified fitness expert. My journey into the world of health and wellness began in Boulder, Colorado, where I grew up leading a healthy and active lifestyle, largely unconcerned with the complexities of health and body shape. However, witnessing a loved one struggle with an eating disorder profoundly impacted me, setting me on a path dedicated to understanding and helping others overcome similar challenges.
My academic pursuit started with studying pre-med biology at CU Boulder. I then moved to Los Angeles to explore a career in the entertainment industry, a shift that unexpectedly introduced me to the challenges of weight gain and disordered eating. This personal experience, coupled with my role as a Pilates instructor, highlighted the limitations of addressing only the physical aspects of health. Realizing the need for a more integrated approach, I pursued further education in nutritional science at CSULA, followed by a doctorate in clinical psychology.
Today, I run a thriving private practice and have founded ANEW—Advanced Nutrition and Emotional Wellness. ANEW is dedicated to transforming lives through comprehensive education in psychology, nutrition, health, and wellness. We offer a range of products and services, including educational books, videos, and an extensive online course titled “Deprogram Diet Culture.” This course and my book, “Deprogram Diet Culture: Rethink Your Relationship with Food, Heal Your Mind, and Live a Diet-Free Life,” aim to help individuals break free from the toxic cycle of diet culture, fostering a sustainable, life-long healthy path.
What sets me apart in this field is my holistic approach that integrates psychological insight with nutritional and physical wellness. This perspective allows me to address not just the symptoms but the root causes of issues related to body image, dieting, and mental health. My work is grounded in the principles of empathy, compassion, and mindfulness, ensuring that our interventions are tailored to respect and nurture the individual needs of each client.
I am most proud of the impact my work has had on helping people reclaim their power over their health and well-being. The feedback from clients and readers who have found a new path forward through our resources is profoundly gratifying. It reaffirms my commitment to this work and the approaches we have developed at ANEW.
For potential clients, followers, and fans, I want you to know that at ANEW, you will find a supportive community committed to empowering you with knowledge and tools that honor your unique journey. Whether you are struggling with disordered eating, body image issues, or simply seeking a more balanced approach to health, ANEW is here to guide and support you every step of the way. Our mission is to help you become your own best health expert, tuning into your body’s needs with self-compassion and mindfulness, freeing you from the constraints of conventional diet narratives to enjoy a fuller, healthier life.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One of the most significant lessons I had to unlearn, which fundamentally changed both my personal and professional trajectory, was the belief that diets are the solution to achieving and maintaining an ideal body weight and health. Growing up in Boulder, Colorado, I was initially removed from the pressures of diet culture. It wasn’t until my move to Los Angeles and subsequent entry into the entertainment industry that I faced personal challenges related to weight gain and the societal pressures to conform to certain body standards. This led me into a cycle of restrictive dieting and excessive exercise—a hamster wheel of guilt, shame, and weight fluctuation that many find themselves trapped on.
The turning point came from both academic pursuit and personal reflection. Studying nutritional science and later clinical psychology provided me with a deeper understanding of the psychological, emotional, and physiological impacts of dieting. Working with clients and reflecting on my own experiences reinforced the detrimental effects of diet culture, which promotes temporary, often harmful behaviors that do not result in sustainable health or happiness.
Through my studies and practical experience, I learned the importance of approaching health from a holistic perspective, integrating mental and emotional wellness with physical health. This holistic view is encapsulated in my book and online course, “Deprogram Diet Culture.” In these, I discuss how dieting often leads to a vicious cycle of weight loss followed by weight gain, fueled by guilt and shame, and how breaking free from this cycle involves nurturing a compassionate and mindful relationship with food and oneself.
The key lesson to unlearn here is that health is not about adhering to restrictive dietary rules but about listening to and honoring your body’s needs, fostering self-compassion, and practicing mindfulness. This approach not only promotes a more sustainable and healthy lifestyle but also supports mental and emotional well-being.
To anyone struggling on this journey, the transformation begins with unlearning the misconceptions that society has ingrained in us about health and body image. Embrace a path that encourages a loving and respectful relationship with your body, as taught in my course and book, where you become the expert of your own body and its unique needs. This is not just about rejecting harmful diet practices; it’s about embracing a lifestyle that celebrates and nurtures your whole self.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
The most effective strategies for growing my clientele have centered around leveraging my unique qualifications and responding proactively to increased demand, especially during critical times such as the pandemic. My triple specialization as a clinical psychologist, dietitian, and nutritionist uniquely positions me to offer comprehensive health and wellness services. This combination has been instrumental in attracting clients who are looking for holistic solutions to improve their health, encompassing both mental and physical aspects.
The COVID-19 pandemic indeed caused a surge in people seeking help for issues related to mental health, eating disorders, and overall wellness, and I have been busily engaged ever since. The increase in health concerns during the pandemic highlighted the necessity for integrated health services. My practice was well-positioned to meet this demand due to my interdisciplinary approach, which addresses the psychological components of eating and health that became particularly strained during the pandemic.
Networking has also played a crucial role in expanding my client base. By connecting with other professionals in health and wellness fields, I’ve been able to create a referral network that benefits from a shared philosophy of holistic care. Furthermore, maintaining a robust profile on platforms like Psychology Today has been essential. Such platforms are frequented by potential clients seeking professional help, and a well-crafted profile there helps me reach a broader audience.
Another significant aspect of my strategy has been the development and maintenance of a comprehensive website. This platform not only showcases my services and credentials but also provides valuable resources and insights into my approach, helping potential clients feel informed and confident in choosing my services.
Writing “Deprogram Diet Culture” and creating an accompanying online course have also been pivotal. These resources provide potential clients with an in-depth look at my philosophy and methods before they even step into my office. Gaining endorsers for the book and course and receiving wildly positive reviews have amplified their impact, enhancing my credibility and attracting a wider audience interested in adopting a healthier lifestyle free from the pitfalls of diet culture.
Overall, a combination of strategic education credentials, responsive service offerings during a time of heightened need, effective online presence, and valuable content creation has driven the growth of my clientele. Each element reinforces the others, creating a robust framework for attracting and retaining clients committed to long-term, sustainable health improvements.
Contact Info:
- Website: drsupatratovar.com and anew-insight.com
- Instagram: @drsupatratovar, @my.anew.insight
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drsupatratovar, https://www.facebook.com/my.anew.insight
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsupatratovar/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@my.anew.insight
- Other: ANEW Body Insight Podcast
https://anew-insight.com/anew-body-insight-podcast/
ANEW Body Insight aims to revolutionize the way we think about health and wellness. By exploring the symbiotic relationship between nutrition, fitness, and emotional well-being, this podcast seeks to inform, inspire, and invigorate listeners, encouraging them to embrace a more integrated approach to health. With its live recordings, ANEW Body Insight not only captures the vibrant energy of Los Angeles but also fosters a sense of community among its audience, making every listener a part of the journey towards holistic health.Co-hosted by Dr. Supatra Tovar, a clinical psychologist, registered dietitian, and fitness expert specializing in Nutritional Psychology, and founder of the holistic health educational company ANEW (Advanced Nutrition and Emotional Wellness). Dr. Tovar created the revolutionary course Deprogram Diet Culture that aims to reformulate your relationship to food and heal your mind so you can live diet-free for life.Co-hosting with Dr. Tovar is Chantal Donnelly, a seasoned physical therapist, and bestselling author of Settled: How to Find Calm in a Stress-Inducing World and founder of the wellness company Body Insight, a company dedicated to finding solutions to many of your body’s physical ailments. Chantal created the videos Pain Free at Work and Strong Knees.
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