Meet Cara Perkins | Certified Nutrition Consultant – Master Level

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cara Perkins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cara, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I’ve always been fascinated with eating healthy, observing healthy habits and wanting to learn more about how the body processes foods, whether they are healthy or unhealthy. After witnessing years of a variety of health concerns within my family, and wanting all options, as far as healing and feeling better, I decided, in 2019, that it was time for me to formally study nutrition. In 2021, I became a Certified Nutrition Consultant – Master Level through American Fitness Professionals and Associates, AFPA. In the months after becoming certified, studying how I wanted to structure nutrition as a business, and realizing that people are craving health and wellness options, I decided to start putting videos out with different health topics. This has led to many more health conversations and questions, for which I am always excited to answer. After having healthy conversations, many people have come back to me to give me updates. I’m always thrilled to have a follow up from my clients to find out that they are changing habits, feeling better, and some of them have been able to discontinue certain medications, with their doctor’s assistance.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Growing up, we always had plenty of healthy foods in our home. We gardened, grocery shopped, cooked and ate together. When my husband and I had our own children, it was my goal to have them in the kitchen cooking and eating healthy, as well. Both of our sons started helping with food preparation when they were two years old. Today, they are in their 20’s and both enjoy preparing foods and experimenting with healthy recipes. As time has gone on, I’ve witnessed health concerns throughout my family. I noticed that, as medical advice had been sought, the suggestions for healing weren’t always thorough. I began researching more of how food played a part in different medical situations. After reading multiple stories and studies about how powerful food can be in healing, I knew that I had to speak up. In 2010, I began my radio show titled Healthy Now…Healthy Later, where I was able to share my knowledge of healthy foods. It was a huge success and just the outlet that I needed at the time. My show was on the air for five years and was something that I truly enjoyed. In 2016, I stepped away from my show to pursue other ideas with my family, but I still enjoyed reading about healthy ideas and spreading the word. In 2019, I was ready to start a journey into formal health education. I found American Fitness Professionals and Associates, AFPA, and was excited about their certification programs! The next two years I threw myself into studying for four different certifications. My certifications include, Nutrition and Wellness Consultant Certification, Holistic Nutritionist Certification, Weight Management Specialist Certification, and Sports Nutritionist Certification. All of these certifications together equate to AFPA’s Certified Nutrition Consultant – Master Level achievement. After I completed this education, I began researching the best way to share my mission. My goal is to spread the word of healthy food, habits and how to help people be healthier and feel better based on what they eat and drink. Through my research, I came across a motivational speaker who has inspired me to simply put important content out and share my knowledge. That’s what I’ve been doing and it has been amazing! All of the people who want to visit about health, send me messages, and especially the ones who follow up letting me know that they are feeling better really inspire me to keep going. Sharing and encouraging people to be healthy is definitely my gift from God.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I had a friend in town, we would definitely go to places all over the Metroplex.

We would begin our journey by eating at Texas Live! in Arlington and catching a Texas Ranger baseball game. Downtown Grapevine would also be a must, one of the days, which would include lunch at Esparzas followed by dinner at Harvest Hall. We would need two days in Grapevine because we would also go to the lake and spend time at the Gaylord Texan. During our day in Fort Worth, we would go to Sundance Square for shopping and lunch at one of their many restaurants. We would end the evening with a show at Four Day Weekend. Dallas would be the next stop. We would shop at the Galleria Dallas, get some fresh air at Klyde Warren Park, and dine at Trinity Grove while taking in the sights and sounds of the Art Park at Trinity Grove. For a day of relaxation, we would enjoy the amenities at Aria Nail Salon in Flower Mound, eat lunch at Wicked Bold Vegan Kitchen, dinner at 1845 and check out the sunset over Lake Grapevine at Sunset Point at Lakeside DFW.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband, Jeff, is such a strong supporter of my nutrition journey. He keeps me going and he and our sons, Jordan and Jared, have always been troopers when I need people to taste my dishes or talk through health habits. I thank and appreciate them more than ever! I also want to thank my parents for “making” me eat my vegetables and encouraging me to try all different kinds of food. I’d also like to thank all of the people who have reached out to me…you all make me proud and keep me going.

Website: www.caraperkins.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cara_perkins_nutrition_coach/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/caraperkinsnc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaraPerkinsnutrition

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzTjfySlo70lKRgM1bNRfCw