Meet Jacqueline Hale | Nutrition Expert & Speaker

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

Hi Jacqueline, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
In 2010, I was 100 pound overweight. I’d never struggled with weight in my life but after the birth of my second child,I kept the baby weight plus some and I tried every fad diet on the market and nothing was sustainable. Having always been an athlete, I enlisted the help of trainers and none could help me understand how to eat for the results I wanted so I figured it out on my own by learning about nutrition, learning how to read food labels and many failures. That was over 10 years ago and I’ve maintained my weight loss and pushed my body more.. In 2018 I became a certified nutritionist and started my business Jackie Yvonne Nutrition, to teach others how to eat eat for the bodies and lifestyles they want because I know how I felt at 265 pounds when I couldn’t get those answers from quick weight loss programs. As a retired educator with a solid track record of success, I firmly believe that we act on new information when we understand why it’s important and how it’s relevant to their lives. I teach the why behind the choices I’m making for clients. My mission is to teach women nutritional knowledge so they can be equipped and empowered to take control of their health and wellness long after working with me. Right now, Black women are the highest group at risks for heart disease and we hold the highest percentage of obesity. I want to disrupt that.

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

I am an educator by trade, so I’m perfectly suited to deliver knowledge to others. I led a successful, 20 year career with the Pittsburgh Public Schools and was a distinguished leader of Pittsburgh South Hills Middle school until 2019. In my early days, I taught high school English and loved every minute of helping students connect with literature to understand the world around them. I’m proud of so much in my education career: I led a team to create an AP African American Literature Course, I was selected to chaperone First Lady Michelle Obama during the G-20 summit in Pittsburgh for a visit to our school campus. I helped students excel, feel empowered, and continue on to further their education. For many of my students, I was their first Black teacher and I feel honored to know that I was a powerful mirror for them because representation matters.

My career as an educator taught me two important lessons: 1. Cultivating relationships is vital to teaching. I was able to reach students because I worked to build a relationship with them first so that I learned who they were. 2. In order to help a student grow, I needed to meet them where they were and equip them with what they needed to excel rather than giving them the same as everyone else. Helping women change their relationship with food and feel better in their skin requires these two skills in addition to solid nutritional content knowledge.

In April of 2019, at the age of 43, I retired from education, to focus full-time on my business and I’ve never looked back. Making the decision to leave a blossoming career in education, to become an entrepreneur, took courage, tears, and “the faith of a mustard seed,” but in my regular, candid conversations with God, I knew that everything would be fine. I use my skills and knowledge in nutrition and change management to help women improve their relationship with food so that they can meet their desired health and wellness goals. The women who seek my help relate to me because I’ve walked their weight loss struggle so I understand what it means to feel powerless and confused about food and weight loss. The world will know that my brand story is one of disrupting the diet industry because I teach the “why” behind what to eat and how to move. To make it plain– I’ve giving away the game.

I’m an IFPA Sports Nutrition Specialist and featured on KDKA Pittsburgh Today Live monthly, as a nutritional expert. I’m a wellness presenter for the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists (PABJ) and the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). Recently I was signed by Docherty Talent Agency, as a model for print advertisement and television. I’m a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. In my spare time, I enjoy amateur women’s bodybuilding and earned the title of Miss Kentucky 2018 for women’s bodybuilding.

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.
I’m such a food person so when my best friend visits, I’m prepared to eat off my normal diet when my best friend visits from Brooklyn New York, which is a challenge because Brooklyn has amazing restaurants.
My go-to places in Pittsburgh:
Breakfast: Grandma B’s & Kelly O’s.
Lunch: Gaucho Parrilla Argentina or Sienna Mercato.
Dinner: Eddie Merlot’s ( I love their carrot cake lol) or Cioppino Restaurant & Cigar Bar (Great food & live entertainment)

I don’t drink much but the dinner places have good wine & whiskey selections.

Hangout: I’m an active person, so the gym is one the list. Other places to hang out: Ciopinno ( a great cigar twice a year is perfect), Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball game or Steeler Football, or Pitt Football depending on the season.

I love art and creative expression so any local artist exhibit featuring Cue Perry is a must. Free concerts at Point State Park.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Mostly, I thank God for this blessing on my life. My name means “May God Protect” and I don’t take that for granted at all. My family is my backbone and they’ve always encouraged and supported me to be the best. When I decided to retire from a 20 year education career and leave my role as principal and aspiring superintendent, the only thing they said was, “let us know what you need”. I’d like to thank my mom and dad, my sons; Rafiyq & Lenell Jr, & my brother Jamar, and my girl sister tribe for their unwavering love and support.

Website: www.jackieyvonnenutrition.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jackieyvonnenutrition

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/jacquelinehale

Twitter: www.twitter.com/nutritionyvonne

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jackieyvonnenutrition

Image Credits
Photographer: Daran Tanaka