Inspiring Conversations with Grace Valentic of Growth Grit and Grace Coaching

Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Valentic.

Hi Grace, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up a dancer spending most of the my time in a ballet studio, from the age of 5 to 19. My passion for ballet grew over time and I decided that I wanted to pursue a career in it once I got into high school. The high stress atmosphere however, and the constant strive for perfection led me into a serious eating disorder, that ended up causing a downwards health spiral. I spent most of my teens and early 20’s in and out of doctors offices with severe hormonal and digestive issues, as well as chronic injuries from not fueling by body properly. I weighed 90lbs at this point, had lost my menstrual cycle for years, and my digestive system pretty much stopped working to where I couldn’t eat anything without feeling sick. I was constantly fatigued, weak, and miserable in my body – but not ready to give up on my dreams. Fast forward to my last year of dancing, and the health issues and injuries caught up with me. I had several traineeships with professional companies lined up, but it all came to a an abrupt end when my chronic pain was bad enough to make it hard walking up the stairs. My options were surgery or to stop dancing, and at 19, I decided to hang up the pointe shoes. Lost and unsure of what my life was going to look like moving forward, I ended up finding a new passion for all things health and wellness. I dove head first into studying holistic nutrition and lifestyle medicine, as well as got heavily into strength training for the first time. I was able to overcome all of my health issues, gain more strength than I had ever had before, and break through the body dysmorphia by discovering my self-worth through God’s eyes. I then decided to become a holistic nutritionist and personal trainer, so I could hopefully help other women avoid the things I had to go to. So, my pain ended up turning into a passion, and then a purpose. After 4 years in the industry working to build other’s visions; I decided it was time to bring my own to fruition. Growth Grit and Grace Coaching is everything I wish I had when I was in the thick of my health issues. It is all about a truly holistic approach to women’s health – Physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Now, I coach women on how to fuel and move their bodies from a place of deep self love and respect, and remind them where their worth truly comes from. I use a faith centered approach to help women ditch the harmful fad diets and trends; and instead teach them how to build strength and true health in a way that honors the body God gave them.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My journey has been anything but smooth to say the least. I always tell the women I work with, that regaining your health will not be a linear path, but more so like a rollercoaster. It took me close to a decade of researching, trial and error, and many setbacks to get to a point where I had truly felt like I had my full health back. For me, I’m so passionate about a holistic approach because the body works as whole; and if you don’t address all aspects of your health, you’ll always be missing a piece of the puzzle.
Over the years I tried so many spot treatments that would give me temporary relief, and then, before I knew it, I felt like I was back to square one.
Healing will always take more time than you think, and setbacks are a part of the process. My struggles are why I named by business Growth Grit and Grace. I experienced immense growth from what I went through, it took a whole lotta grit to push through the hard parts, and I had to learn to give myself grace when I wasn’t yet where I wanted to be!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am a Certified Holistic Nutritionist, Personal Trainer, Health Coach, Gut Rehab Specialist, and Pain Free Performance Specialist.

I take a holistic approach to helping women overcome hormone, gut, and chronic health issues – using nutrition, movement, supplement, and lifestyle strategies.

I’m known for my specific coaching style, and who I am as a coach. When I work with women, we don’t just talk about food and exercise like most programs out there. We dive deep into emotional and mental blocks, faith life, how stress and trauma affect the body, and how to become the woman that God called them to be.

What’s most different about my practice, is that it’s not built on making women solely fixate on their body composition and size. My practice is built on the foundation that women are so much more than their bodies, and everything we do should be centered around health first rather than weight loss. I want to help women make changes for their health based on self-love rather than self-hatred and insecurities.

I currently do 1on1 coaching with women online that involves in-depth personalized nutrition, movement, and lifestyle guidance. I also have a space for in person 1on1 training and group training. I’m currently putting on once a month women’s health and fitness events called Bible & Build as well, for women who are looking for more community and accountability.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
You can find me at growthgritandgrace.com or through my social media @growthgritandgrace_

I have a coaching application for those looking to work with me, as well as a free Facebook group where I post resources and pop up events that women can join in on:

Bible & Build: Women’s Faith Based Holistic Health & Fitness
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16WStWsQNT/?mibextid=wwXIfr

I’m hosting once a month women’s health and fitness events at the gym I train at, which you can find all the details for in the Facebook group!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Growthgritandgrace.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growthgritandgrace_
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracevalentic