Name: Chris Paul

When did you join Cornerstone Nutrition? February 11, 2021

What is your occupation? Physical Therapist, Mobility Fit PT (West Chester branch, inside of Cornerstone Fitness)

What is your favorite way to workout? Hiking with one of my kids on my pack, especially in one of the national parks. Otherwise functional strength training, cycling, hitting the heavy bag, and yard work

What is your favorite quote? Could literally choose from hundreds of them….here are just 2

1. “Please….try to understand…………you are ALWAYS with me, everything I have is yours. But it IS right to celebrate. This brother of yours was dead, and is alive again. He was lost……and is found!” – Jesus

2. “A soft, easy life is not worth living, if it impairs the fiber of brain and heart and muscle. We must dare to be great; and we must realize that greatness is the fruit of toil and sacrifice and high courage… For us is the life of action, of strenuous performance of duty; let us live in the harness, striving mightily; let us rather run the risk of wearing out than rusting out.” – Teddy Roosevelt

What have you learned through nutrition coaching? 

1. Habits can be vehicles for thriving or cruel masters (and we get to choose)
2.  It is a collective process – one training session won’t develop the fitness, nor will one ice cream sundae derail the mission 
3. Our emotional well being matters, and it is reflected in our eating habits. Restless/unsettled heart and mind = restless/unsettled eating
4. Accountability matters – pride/ego will make it hard to accept help. Acknowledge this 
5. People are counting on you to be fully alive….and that is a privilege, more than it is a burden

What is the biggest thing you’ve changed that has led most to your success? 

1) Macronutrient tracking…I had actually thought I was habitually ingesting TOO much protein before I started tracking (my target is about 1 gram protein per lb of bodyweight). As it turns out, I was actually taking in only about 75% of what was appropriate for me.

2) Chewing slowly (perhaps > 20 bites before swallowing), and striving to eat in a relaxed, unhurried state

What advice do you have for someone considering nutrition coaching? 

1. Strive to get this part right BEFOREHAND…………that you know you are worthy, accepted, and loved before “achieving” anything
2. From the safe space of #1, we can accept accountability, difficult truth about our habits and mindset, and agreements with have made with things that are not true