We had the good fortune of connecting with Agatha Achindu and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Agatha, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was raised in Cameroon, West Africa, on an organic farm where my family lived close to the earth. Every meal was made from scratch by my mami, rooted in the freshest ingredients and traditions. This foundation has deeply influenced how I feed my family and guide clients toward health and balance. It’s also where my passion for holistic wellness was born.
When I moved to the U.S. over 35 years ago, I quickly noticed a link between chronic illness and diet. I became the go-to for healthy twists on traditional dishes, helping friends reimagine meals in ways that supported their health.
With the birth of my youngest son, Jared-Zane, in 2004, my mission sharpened. I wanted other parents to understand the impact of nutrition on their children’s well-being. I offered free workshops in hospitals and mommy groups, sharing lessons from my upbringing and the changes I saw in my children. What started as a small gathering grew into a community of 45,000, inspiring me to leave my corporate IT executive role and launch Yummy Spoonfuls in 2006.
In 2016, I became a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach to deepen my expertise, followed by a 200-hour yoga teacher certification and life coach training in 2017. This led to Life Unprocessed™, a boutique wellness consultancy where I empower clients to unlearn generational habits and wellness misconceptions, ultimately creating lives of longevity and vitality.
As a published author of Bountiful Cooking, my work remains anchored in the holistic principles I learned in Cameroon: nourishing the body with real food, fostering vibrant community, staying active, embracing spirituality, minimizing toxins, and managing stress. These early lessons have shaped who I am. I believe sustainable health is attainable for everyone, regardless of resources, and I feel truly blessed to be a product of that lifestyle.
What should our readers know about your business?
I am a published author, yoga teacher, and the Founder and Lead Coach of Life Unprocessed™, a boutique wellness coaching and consultancy. At Life Unprocessed™, I help women unlearn generational habits and misconceptions around wellness, empowering them to heal their bodies at the cellular level and often helping them reduce or even eliminate medications for preventable chronic conditions. The most fulfilling part of my work is witnessing the life-changing transformations when clients rediscover their innate power to heal and thrive.
One of the most humbling moments is when a client, frustrated after years of medications they were told they’d need for life, begins to see real improvement. Through personalized nutrition and lifestyle changes, not only do they often surprise their doctors by getting off these medications, but they also inspire their families to join them. Watching a family regain its health—witnessing that ripple effect of healing—is a gift beyond words.
My business journey began in an unexpected way. I was an IT executive who spent every spare moment hosting free workshops to educate parents about nutrition. Yummy Spoonfuls®, my first brand, was born from my desire to make a difference in my community. Yummy Spoonfuls made it to national retailers like Target, Walmart, and Amazon, I had the chance to work with celebrities, helping them provide the best nutrition for their children. Was it easy? Oh, absolutely not! Securing funding was especially challenging, even with a positive cash flow. Fundraising as a woman of color has unique hurdles, and one day I’ll write a book about it. Eventually, I found a business partner, and we raised the capital needed to expand Yummy Spoonfuls nationwide.
There have been many lessons along the way, One of the most important has been learning to say no. With nearly two decades in business, I’ve learned the true value of time. We often hear that “time is money,” but time is also our greatest resource, something we can never get back. Understanding this has helped me prioritize both my business and personal life in a way that aligns with what I value most. I’ve learned to turn down offers that don’t serve my purpose, and I find the most joy when I know my time has created value in people’s lives.
If there’s one thing I want people to know, it’s that where you come from does not determine where you can go. My journey is a testament to God’s grace. I could never have imagined the scale of what I’ve achieved—from Yummy Spoonfuls® to Life Unprocessed™ to my cookbook, Bountiful Cooking. I’m often called a “wellness architect” because, for 19 years, I’ve been dedicated to making healthy living accessible to everyone. It’s possible to make a positive impact and a meaningful living, and I’m grateful every day to be doing just that.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When my sister Vivian and niece Naysa visited from Cameroon recently, I had a whole week to show them the best of Atlanta – a perfect blend of culture, history, and fun.
Day 1: We started with the Dekalb Farmers Market, where they were amazed by the array of fresh, organic fruits, vegetables, and pasture-raised meats. It felt like a taste of home when we found bread made from scratch, just like back in Cameroon. We ended the day with a cozy dinner at home, cooking together and sharing stories.
Day 2: For a meaningful dive into American history, we visited the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church. Exploring the Center for Civil and Human Rights added a powerful perspective on resilience and social justice.
Day 3: We kicked off with a tour of The World of Coca-Cola – a fun and interactive way to learn about Atlanta’s iconic brand. Then, we headed to Atlantic Station for lunch at Azotea Cantina, where my niece tasted guacamole for the first time! (In Cameroon, we call avocado “butter pear,” but we don’t mash it up like guacamole). Her reaction was priceless, and the fresh flavors were a big hit.
Day 4: To enjoy Atlanta’s vibrant arts scene, we visited local museums and art galleries. From modern art installations to historic exhibits, there was something for everyone. We capped off the day with an evening show at the Alliance Theatre – the perfect way to experience Atlanta’s creative heartbeat.
Day 5: We spent a relaxed day at The Battery Atlanta, strolling through the open spaces, popping in and out of restaurants and bars, and peeking into the massive Braves Stadium. Jeni’s Ice Cream was a sweet treat that delighted us all.
Day 6: A nature day was in order, so we went to Piedmont Park for a peaceful walk. We enjoyed a picnic with views of the Atlanta skyline and soaked up the greenery. For dinner, we explored Ponce City Market, where the variety of food options and buzzing atmosphere offered something for everyone.
Day 7: On their final day, we had brunch at Seed Kitchen & Bar, the food was delicious and then explored the Atlanta Botanical Garden. There is so much to see, eat and do in GA, these are a few of my favs.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Outside of God’s special grace in my life, guiding me from West Africa and blessing me with so much success, I owe deep gratitude to my parents.
My mother instilled in me from an early age the importance of nutrition, resilience, and ingenuity. She was the first woman business owner I knew—a farmer and dressmaker who taught me the power of hard work and self-reliance. My father inspired me to believe there was nothing I couldn’t do. Hearing “what a boy can do, a girl can do even better” from my African father over 50 years ago was a profound blessing.
I am also forever grateful to the late Paul A. Stitt. His book, Beating the Food Giants, has been incredibly influential in my journey. As a food scientist who left some of the world’s top food companies to found his own healthy food business, Stitt opened my eyes to the possibility of achieving mass-market success while staying true to wholesome ingredients. His work helped me solidify my vision for Yummy Spoonfuls and reinforced my belief that commercial food can be both delicious and nourishing, without harmful additives or preservatives.
Website: https://agathaachindu.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agathaachindu
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/agathaachindu
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agathaachindu/
Image Credits
Aim Crawford
Rinne Allen