Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

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For the last year and a half I've read masses of information about Paleo and Weston Price (on the Internet). I've become knowledgable and an example. A couple of my friends keep telling me that I should find a way to make this my profession. I love this idea but:

1) what are my credentials? I'm not a scientist or nutritiounist or even a chef. I'd obviously nned to read lots of books, take some courses, but what courses? I wouldn't go to study mainstream nutrition. Not Naturopathy? Ecourses given by people who believe in real food?

2) What would I actually do? Meet with people individually in an office advise them? Hold cooking classes? Go into their homes and help them make changes? Lecture? Something else?

Basically, I thought that if I focus on real food and not delve into anything medical - not claim to cure anyone or anything, I could get away with not spending years getting heavy credentials.

I write for a living, so blogging is a natural, but it don't pay - (or does it?).

I am also a teacher... I love working one-on-one with people.

So what will I be when I grow up? (I'm 50).

Update: I just started by jumping in. I now have a blog, Ruth's Real Food , and my first client! Thanks everyone for the encouragement and ideas.

edited Jul 8 2011 at 12:04

asked Jun 2 2011 at 5:04

Glither
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Maybe facilitate people being able to find Paleo food in your area? I am always trying to figure our where to find right meats at the right price, the best price of coconut oil, etc. Maybe you can be a hub for such things, you source them, people order from you, then they come pick them up? You can perhaps provide recipes, or your favorite book (s) on the subject, since you write you can have on your order website an area that refers people to articles, information, interesting discussions on the topic, etc. Just a thought. – MamaBear Jun 2 2011 at 16:04

Rebecca · Answer 1 · 2011-06-02 05:19:12Z UTC

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Some people are doing Paleo classes, educating them while also cooking…some do shopping trips, some blog..the choice is yours, pick a path and do it..don't wait for someone to tell you how or what to do, it's in your heart and just start..today.

answered Jun 2 2011 at 5:19

Rebecca
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Rebecca, sounds like a great idea! – Ali Jun 2 2011 at 15:10

Diane at Balanced Bites · Answer 2 · 2011-06-02 18:33:11Z UTC

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I wrote a blog post about this as I get the question ALL THE TIME since nutrition coaching is my career.

Education is more important than credentials though you may need credentials to run some testing, etc. if you want to work beyond food.

answered Jun 2 2011 at 18:33

Diane at Balanced Bites
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Thanks! This is helpful. – Glither Jun 2 2011 at 20:01

Padzilla · Answer 3 · 2011-06-02 05:23:49Z UTC

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Like your question! I've im in the same boat. I wanna make my health/Paleo passion into a profession (I'm 22 and finishing up a business major right now...) I have no idea where to go though...was thinking of maybe Naturopath....I was premed when I started college so I have a bunch of basic science classes under my belt already.

Rebecca what are Paleo classes??

Also what do you guys think of the whole nutrition direction, I feel like most schools today are just gonna teach the traditional American junk....

PS first official post ^^

answered Jun 2 2011 at 5:23

Padzilla
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See Chris Kresser's blog Thehealthyskeptic.org See what he does. – Dexter Jun 2 2011 at 5:26

I love Chris Kresser, but he has the credentials that I'm missing. Would take years to get them, and frankly, I can't afford it either. – Glither Jun 2 2011 at 5:34

donmatesz.blogspot.com Don has an active practice in Phoenix, Arizona – Dexter Jun 2 2011 at 5:55

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I know a gal who teaches "Paleo 101" at home in her kitchen. She has no credentials other than is committed 100% to Paleo and has read and studied a lot. She teaches a basic outline of what Paleo is, WHY it's good and then does a cooking demo. She'll do shopping expeditions and educate (which canned coconut milk to buy etc.) and organizes trips to farms to co-buy grass fed meat and other products. You could do this at farmer's markets etc. It's basically just teaching what you know. Charge a per person cost and promote it at your gym, online, other CF gyms etc. – Rebecca Jun 2 2011 at 5:56

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Chris Kresser has credentials to stick needles in people's butt. That's about it. I don't know why people think he has credentials to speak on Endocrinology. He probably took a 3 unit course in physiology at the Community College to fill the requirement at Acupuncture school. – Thomas Seay Jun 2 2011 at 17:24

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Uggla · Answer 4 · 2011-06-02 06:29:56Z UTC

I am going to school for a slightly paleo profession: Organic farming ;)

Well organic farming is not really hunter-gatherer but in today's society organic farming is a must, at least in my opinion! I plan to contribute in my own way with the Paleo/primal lifestyles in mind.

Dexter · Answer 5 · 2011-06-02 05:23:43Z UTC

You get training at a Crossfit box, I would recommend you move to Chico, Ca and train at Robb Wolf's box and do their program and get yourself into the best shape of your life. While you are getting into crossfit shape, you can learn the marketing, business side of the box..how to attract clients, how to keep clients happy, how to pay the bills, keep up with payroll and payroll taxes...the whole nine yards. Then move back to your hometown, lease a tilt up warehouse space, buy the equipment, and do the marketing and open for business.

Very important: Would you have as your primary care physician an overweight slug? Do you think any of the people you want to attract to your paleo box would stay if you were a slug? You have to look and perform the part.

Lots of videos on youtube showing amazing people in crossfit boxes doing amazing things.

Being self employed is not easy, but it is rewarding. Sometimes the employees make more than you will. But you keep building and keep your head screwed on straight and you will be a success.

You can market yourself as Paleo Crossfitter. Carb loaders need not apply.

Thomas Seay · Answer 6 · 2011-06-02 14:17:57Z UTC

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Let me perfectly clear: you need ABSOLUTELY NO CREDENTIALS to start a LUCRATIVE CAREER as a PALEO GURU. All you need for the Gig is a blog, a PayPal account, and a pair of Vibrams (think analog to naturopaths in their sandals) and your good to go.

answered Jun 2 2011 at 14:17

Thomas Seay

Did you mean this seriously or in jest? I will have a blog at any rate. Who is going to pay me, and for what? Details please. P.S. I spend most of my days barefoot :) – Glither Jun 2 2011 at 15:20

Details? He said blog, people pay for some blogs and advertisers pay per click on a blog. Do you want him to write the blog for you? By the way, it's all a joke, almost nobody is credentialed in the advice they give, almost nobody is making money, anyone can be a self professed paleo guru and vibrams are another self imposed paleo stereotype. – mth Jun 2 2011 at 15:52

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Glither, post pics of yourself in your barefeet on your blog and people will beg to send you money. – Thomas Seay Jun 2 2011 at 17:25

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I think if you're standing barefoot on a rock or with a freshly killed boar (better yet - on a rock with the boar) you'll be set for life - actually just thinking about it might be sufficient. :-) – CaveRat Jun 2 2011 at 18:47

One Up for CaveRat. Follow those directions and your success is inevitable. – Thomas Seay Jun 2 2011 at 19:26

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The Quilt · Answer 7 · 2011-06-02 05:13:49Z UTC

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Sure Why not????

answered Jun 2 2011 at 5:13

The Quilt
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Um... gonna need something more specific than that. Like how can I actually make money from it? I have an expensive diet to support. :) – Glither Jun 2 2011 at 5:18

Vrimj · Answer 8 · 2011-06-02 18:40:44Z UTC

You might consider doing meal replacement for Paleo people. Every week people could come to your website and order meals, you shop pack and deliver the goods either ready to go (for say a tapanade) or with cooking instructions (for searing meat).

That way you could make use of the advantages of bulk buying and direct from farm sourcing, but eliminate the time and care required to do that properly and to meal plan.

dsohei · Answer 9 · 2011-06-03 03:40:52Z UTC

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if you can solve a problem for a niche market, you can make money.

however imo, i would be much more impressed by someone who totally cured their CFS and then helped at least 1 other person cure theirs.

answered Jun 3 2011 at 3:40

dsohei
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Yeah, I like the idea of specializing in CFS- people love to get help from someone who has done it themselves first. – Diane at Balanced Bites Jul 10 2011 at 11:37

Can I turn Paleo Passion into Paleo Profession?

9 Answers