Meet Lainie Cassel | Nutritional Therapist and Holistic Strength Coach

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

Hi Lainie, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?

Becoming free.

So much of our health and wellness depends on it. We are used to being told what to do: what to eat, when to eat, what exercise to do, how much to do, etc. And we are forced to sit still for hours on end while our bodies crave movement and exploration. And we are told not to eat certain foods that our bodies need in order to thrive out of fear of what we’ve been taught. This is dangerous because not only does it set us up to depend on others for the answers but it forces us to suppress our bodies’ own needs in place of fear and shame.

But the reality is that our desires and cravings are the most important things we have to help guide us towards a state of good health. Everything we need is already inside of us and when we are tapped into our own inner voice, that is when we best nourish ourselves, care for our bodies and eventually learn to move and eat without pain and restriction.

This is what I teach people to do in my practice… to live joyfully and abundantly all while feeling good about the body one inhabits.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I consider myself much more of an artist than business woman because ultimately my ability to help my clients is less dependent on how successful I am or how well I run my business (though that is an important skill I am in the midst of developing) and much more tied up in my ability to tap into something deeper and help my clients find whatever weakness, deficiency or underlying issue is holding them back from having the body they desire in life. And while this work is heavily driven in scientific research, history and philosophy – I believe more than anything, it is an art form. It has to be.

The human body is such a beautiful creation. I wish more of the “health community” saw itself as artists.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Our week would probably start with a trip to Buford Highway for some of the best Pho in the city. From there, we’d likely hit up some sort of underground music show. Despite gentrification, there is still a thriving underground music and art scene here – you just have to know where to look.

Besides that, we’d likely pick up a Mexican Coke and some cheese then head to Oakland Cemetery. I love that place. If it were a Sunday, I’d take them to get coffee from South Bend Common’s and then head to Odyssey Jiu Jitsu’s open mat at noon. If we needed more sunshine and/or greenery, we’d likely head for a hike in an area outside the city. I’m always seeking out time in nature when I have the opportunity.

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?

That list might be a little too long to write down because I’m inspired by every single person I work with, every artist I meet that is making art true to themself, and every human I meet that has in one way or another broken out of whatever box they were forced into.

I’m also a big believer in developing deep connections with strangers – whether it be a person who lives in the streets or the person who checks me out at the grocery store. I want to get to know everyone and their story because I know for a fact that there is inspiration everywhere.

You just have to dig for it sometimes…

Website: casselwellness.com

Instagram: @lainiecassel / @casselwellness

Facebook: facebook.com/casselwellness

Youtube: youtube.com/interruption