A personal trainer and TV star known as the big-hearted trainer when she starred on NBC’s “The Biggest Loser,” Jen Widerstrom is also a best-selling author of Diet Right for Your Personality Type. We chatted with her about wellness, nourishment and what she’s doing now with her WiderSTRONG tribe.
Catch Jen at the following events on October 12 at the Wellness Your Way Festival:
- 12-12:45 p.m.: Jen Widerstrom’s Burger Bake Cooking Demo. Cooking Demo @ Food As Medicine Kitchen
- 1:30-2:30 p.m.: Founded by Women. Speaker Series @ Inspire Stage
- 3:30-4:30 p.m.: Trusted Influence. Speaker Series @ Inspire Stage
- 5:30-6 p.m.: Mindful Nourishment. Speaker Series @ Food As Medicine Kitchen
What does the term “wellness” mean to you?
To me, wellness means a healthy and conscious interaction with your everyday life. From the food you put into your body to the thoughts. It is being honest with yourself about what you need and taking care of yourself with that information.
One of the panels you’re on at the festival is called “Mindful Nourishment.” Tell us more about what that will be about.
Personally, I call this Body Talk. There’s an entire chapter in my book, Diet Right for Your Personality Type, on this because it is critical to not look on the plates of others for your health. Pay attention to your body and what it tells you because it’s smarter than you! What food combinations and macros work and what don’t? What is optimal timing? What’s optimal volume, etc.? When you start to listen to what your body needs (because trust me it will always tell you!), you will be completely equipped to nourish your body the way it requires to be at its best.
You were a trainer on “The Biggest Loser.” Can you share a few of your favorite memories from that time and why?
My favorite moments were never the wins, it was the quiet moments when the cameras were off and we got to connect as people. I was at the ranch every single day, of every single season and it was building the real friendships that have only deepened that I look at the most fondly.
Tell us about your WiderSTRONG training tribe and method.
Meeting people where they’re at without any judgment, supported by a community that is willing to be honest with themselves and each other has been my recipe of wild success! In my tribe, we must take responsibility for the experience of ourselves and this is why my community continues to grow, through my 30-day transformation challenges, strategic programming and connected personal coaching. Real change is hard work and often not very sexy. There’s no sale here in the WiderSTRONG ethos, just an opportunity to own your life again.