Alissa is the blogger behind LissMS. She is a Nutritional Therapy Consultant, AIP Certified Coach, Certified Personal Trainer and Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She works with individuals 1:1 either remotely or in person who have Multiple Sclerosis and other chronic illnesses, using a real foods lifestyle to help individuals improve their symptoms.
She is based near Boston, MA and lives with her husband and three cats. She loves being outdoors and can usually be found at the beach. She enjoys being active, and will often play tennis, go for walks or lift weights.
I caught up with Alissa and asked her a few questions that I thought you’d love to read!
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Alissa, please share a little about your personal health journey and the role that the autoimmune protocol has played.
I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2009. I was relatively stable with my symptoms and disease progression until I had 3 relapses in about a year and a half, starting in 2014. Up until then, I had dabbled with going gluten free several times and had finally transitioned to a Paleo diet around the same time frame. Eventually after my third relapse I said enough is enough, and in January of 2016, I went full AIP.
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One of my FAVORITE books I used to start the transition to AIP!!! It’s so helpful! I printed mine out and spiral bound it. Thank you for this!
Rita Davidson
At the time I went AIP, I was experiencing moderate levels of pain on a daily basis, fatigue all the time and cognitive issues. The quickest thing that resolved was my pain levels, those cleared up within a few weeks. My fatigue also improved to a more manageable level, as well as my cognitive issues.
What made you want to be a health coach?
So many things! My first career was a Mental Health Therapist, so helping people through difficult things is in my nature. After I discovered AIP and the healing power of the lifestyle, I knew I had a different calling for my life. I wanted to help others through the process that I went through and be that guiding support that I needed at the beginning of the journey.
What certifications do you have and why did you choose that program?
I have several Certifications. I am an AIP Certified Coach, a Nutritional Therapy Consultant (NTC) and a Certified Personal Trainer (NASM- CPT).
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I am loving this AIP course and all the information I am receiving. The amount of work you have put into this is amazing and greatly, GREATLY, appreciated. Thank you so much. Taking this course gives me the knowledge I need to understand why my body is doing what it is doing and reinforces my determination to continue along this dietary path to heal it. Invaluable!
Carmen Maier
I chose these certifications for specific reasons. I chose to become an AIP Certified Coach to get detailed training in the ins and outs of AIP, and how to help people through the transition in the best way for them, their body and their illness. I chose to go to the Nutritional Therapy Association to become an NTC because the program was based on a foundation of Whole Food nutrition, which is fundamental to AIP and our bodies. I became a Certified Personal Trainer because I wanted to learn more about how our bodies moved correctly and wanted to be able to help others with their movement as this is such an important part of AIP and having a chronic illness.
Share a little more about your practice. How can my readers contact you to work with you?
I like to tailor my coaching to fit the needs of my clients. Sometimes I will help people walk through the AIP transition, and sometimes I utilize more of my skills I acquired in my training as an NTC. But usually it’s some type of blend of the two. I always have a free assessment call to get to know someone and to see if we’re a good fit to work together. I also have several coaching packages to choose from. (Link: http://liss-ms.com/coaching/)
What is your #1 tip that you give all of your clients?
I would say my biggest tip is to be your own biggest advocate. Living with an autoimmune disease is hard and there are many things that we aren’t in control over. But learning how to stand up for yourself and advocate for your needs is one of the most powerful things we can do.
If you are a healthcare professional interested in this high-value certification, join my Healthcare Professionals e-mail list by clicking here (make sure to select the Healthcare Professional list and any other lists you’re interested in!). I will e-mail you with more information on how to become an AIP Certified Coach.
The Paleo Diet for Performance